An Unlikely Visitor

Doorbell rings. Up out of my chair I go, running to the front door of 31's.

 

At first, I thought something was wrong with her. She had a look on her face that did not sit well with me. After asking how I could help, she politely requested a copy of a fire report. Curious, I casually asked what her address was, and after she replied, I knew why she had the look of sorrow upon her face.

 

During my stint at 31's last week, I encountered much more fire than my previous twelve months. It was all well and good. Then I saw the look on this lady's face. And never seeing the other side, and how it affects those individuals was quite eye opening to me. She didn't even have to say anything. Almost dumbfounded. I was at her residence when it was burning up. All those personal possessions that she may have worked so hard for. Gone. Just burnt up scraps of what they once were.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's unfortunate what others have to go through as we firefighters "have fun" putting the wet stuff on the red stuff. Now don't get me wrong, I'm still looking forward to my next good sea of flames. It's just what can I learn from my standpoint.

 

Byrge

Relieving

Wouldn't you rather be riding in a Pierce?
I don't know. But doesn't Project Fallen Axe look nice

sitting next to Rolling Thunder?

Relieving at Engine 12, H.U.R.T. Headquarters

You know when you're young, and get excited you know that a visit to grandma's house is coming? Or perhaps, you get dissappointed that you may have to abide by the strict rules? Well going out relieving, one could experience both those feelings. One more than the other though.

To understand, relieving on the fire department reminds me of visiting grandma's house. Looking back on my many trips and overnight stays were both fun filled and a little nerve racking. But that all depended on which grandparents house I was staying at.

You see, going out relieving means working at a different firehouse than your own. Once my first six months in the field passed by, it was my turn to head out for an overnight visit somewhere other than 31's. Now I've been relieving for almost seven months now. At first, I was extremely nervous, but as the weeks went by, and the more I went out, the better I actually felt about relieving. Sure, I would rather stay at 31's and work with my, what I call immediate, family. But hey, it's really not as bad as I first thought.

So for me, I wouldn't say I get excited about an overnight excursion in the urbania called Milwaukee. At least it gives me a chance to meet some other members of the department. And...try and get some good photos of other rigs too.

Byrge

Old Journal Entry

Going through some of my old composition notebooks a while back and found one that had a few entries from when I was in the academy. I just wish that I would have written more while I was there, but a little too late for that. I did find humor in one of my entries that I'll share here.

01-05-10

Wanted to go to bed, but heard some pretty funny things today at work. Classmate "A" use to or still does, we really don't know, be a personal trainer, but yet, doesn't perform really well, even though I think he can, at chopping, pike pole and perhaps some other evolutions. Classmate "B" insulted him at lunch stating/asking "Are you a do as I say, not as I do trainer?" Comments were added afterward as well. Quite hilarious. Academy seemed tough today. Confidence course is like a fun house, and today I got couaght up in some damn wires. Anyway, things are going ok. Lt "A" is always pushing me, which is good. Almost like having a coach. Brings back some memories, sort of. Running of the stairs was ok. We all agree that running up with the instructors is far better than being anywhere else. Had chinese tonight. "Asian Helper" with some egg rolls from local take-out. Employees not speaking english. Thought of the movie Gran Torino and what comments were made in that movie. Very politically incorrect. Tentative to go to a vacant tomorrow. Can't wait."

It just doesn't feel like work. Sure, during my probationary year, I would come in, and keep busy most of the day. Clean this, wash that, paint those and put my nose in the books. But, for some reason, the days passed by at a lightning pace. Besides all the work that was expected of me, there was the constant bantering around the firehouse as well. I've heard that laughter can the best medicine for anything. No matter what drama I had to endure outside of work, I knew that when I entered the firehouse, within minutes my frowns would turn upside down.

Byrge

Project Fallen Axe - Parts Ordered

Rockhard 4x4 Front Shorty Bumper

Rockhard 4x4 Rear Bumper

Very excited that my project can officially begin. Both front and rear bumpers have been ordered and are now sitting at my house waiting to be installed. "Excellent Smithers."

You know what sucks though. I'm working both today and tomorrow at the firehouse. Off Sunday, which, I'll have too much to do to have any chance to put these mothers on. Then, back at 31's Monday followed up with a day at Luke's on Tuesday. Damn.

Byrge

Fallen Axe Explained

As I struggled for control of the axe, I knew it was only a matter of time before I could no longer hold on. Then, it happened. The axe was out of my hands. I did not know where it went. Somewhere close though. The only thought I had was that we needed to get out of there.

But the axe fell out of my hands. It, was a fallen axe in my mind. Now back when this occurred, I wasn't looking for a moniker. It was something that I could use to remind myself of what happened in the past. A moment in time that I wish never occurred. So not wanting to forget my history, I just kept using the term. Fallen Axe.

And now that I'm where I'm at today, I still don't want to forget where I came from. So I've taken that title, and transferred it over to my toy.

A 2010 Jeep Wrangler. And after receiving my first set of goods yesterday, I can headline the JK to "Project Fallen Axe."

Back to the Grindstone

For a number of years, I would stare out the narrow windows of the 7th floor. The ones located right off the elevators by rooms T7114 and T7115 in the CVICU. From that vantage point, I was able to look down and watch Engine 23 and Truck 14 leave quarters with lights and sirens blazing. Watching them go, I wondered if and when I would ever get my chance to do the same.

Well guess where I'm working today? Engine 23. Sweet deal, and I just found out that I'll be staying for both shifts. Yep, another 48!

Byrge

First Day Back - Part D'oh

FYI - to understand this post, should read the one just prior

On the evening of the 18th, we actually got to eat lunch. Yes, I did say lunch only because we never got a chance earlier in the day because of the amount of time we spent at the fire. Joel made tasty jambalaya for us and damn, it hit the spot. After a while, we got called back to the fire scene. We all thought it rekindled but it turned out to be that the fire investigators wanted us to flush the floor. Just a little to assistance in their investigation. All in all, we spent another 40 minutes or so back at the address.

Our last run before I went to bed came in around 2345. Nothing major. Possible natural gas leak. False alarm. Ahh. In bed just a little after midnight. And did I need some sleep, for I was extremely sore. So much that lifting my arms above my head was quite a task.

0600. Fire tone. "Really?" I thought. 20th and Lapham was where we were headed. Being third in, I didn't really expect to do much. Once we arrived, there was some light smoke hovering, but no visible flames like the day before. Chief told us to grab a line and go to the attic. As we got to the rear, noticed two lines already going up that way. Lt went into the first floor and sure enough, most likely found the room of origin burning up. I was lucky enough to have the nozzle and got to play again. Sweet. Twice in one shift. We ended up being there for maybe 45 minutes before we headed back to quarters. Man, what a great shift.

Now unlike the rest of my crew, I was not going home. That was only the first half of my 48. Hoping to get a little reprieve during the next 24 hours. Needless to say, but I did.

Byrge

Treatment After the Vas!

Let's just say that I was looking forward going back to the firehouse. Yeah, so I had my little (and I'm not kidding when I use the term little) snip snip action done on the 9th. Layed around for a few days at home icing you know what. Watched a few movies, played some video games. I actually forgot how it was to be at home without any kids ______ (running, screaming, pooping, pissing or just being down right annoying). Go ahead, fill in the blank. Anyway, it was peaceful. Just me and my faithful weimaraner, Gabi. But as the days came and went, I was getting eager to get back to doing at least something.

So the following week I worked a couple days at Luke's. And when I returned, I was tempted to ask the doc if I could go in the chamber as a hyperbaric patient and get treated. Hey! I had a wound! Anyway...since they cut off my balls, I didn't have any to use to ask him. Figuratively speaking of course.

And that brings me to the 18th and the start of a 48. (for those of you who don't know, a 48 means working 48 hours, straight) Was a blue day, so I was expecting the captain, but he was off. Instead, I was there with Lt Venne, Lewis, and the King himself. Good crew to work with.

And so the fun began. Squad run for something. Walked inside and then we started to hear the banjos. Or so we thought. After a few minutes of watching and listening to this family speak, we thought we got warped into Hillbilly country somewhere. Mom was out of it. One guy asked whats "daileighted" (aka dilated) mean. Sister walks in saying her eyes were "dialeighted" when she had herself her ministroke. Yeah, this beauty queen was something. Like I said, Hillbilly country.

Then 1400 came. Fire tone. Out the door we went towards 16th and Lincoln Ave. En route, we heard dispatch report multiple callers. We got something. As we passed 15th street and 15th place, I noticed a large amount of haze and knew that I was about to get some. We turned the corner onto 16th steet and fire was blowing out two upper story windows. It was picture perfect. We pulled just passed, got out and went to work. I grabbed the nozzle, stretched some hose to the rear and went up with Venne to the 2nd floor. As we entered, it went straight to ground zero. I couldn't see anything. We advanced the line in complete blindness. The further we got in, I then could start seeing the orange glow. It was at this time that I was finding fire all around. Left, right and ahead of me. The boss helped me direct where I needed to go with the line. Parts of the ceiling were falling down on top of us. It was awesome. Finally a second line was able to be charged due to a few hiccups. After awhile, the fire was eventually knocked down and under control. We ended up to be on scene for about two hours or so. Was my best fire to date. Even Lewis, with his 15 years on the job, was impressed with the size and called it one of the larger ones he's seen.

Yep, even my eyes were "dialeighted" after that one. My first day back, not even 6 hours into my shift, and this is how the south side welcomes me. And wait, there's more...

to be continued...

Byrge