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