Been a while!

So, it's been a while since I last entered a post, missing a few opportunities to post. To start off, earlier this month, we had our elections at the volunteer department, and I missed LT. by a few votes...once again. No big deal either, since I'm not 100% sure about sticking around the department for various reasons. Nothing bad, just might be moving out of the area. Now that I have my "anchor" set and I know I'll be around for a while, it's time to look for a house. Anyhow, moving along...I had my first official HAZMAT response the other day. It came in as a diesel leak from an unknown source and that's about all the info we got. It turns out it was from an underground tank in a trailer park. By the looks (and smell) of things, it had been going on for a few days cause it was all through the neighboring mobile homes' soil underneath, and made its way all the way down to the stream about a quarter of a mile away from the source. All the diesel was pumped out, then filled with water (to my understanding). Anyhow, all was good and the response was only about 5 or 6 hours long. Not bad for a HAZMAT. The only thing I really did was throw absorbent pads down at the site of leak and all the way down to the stream. Not much else to really do, but I would surely hate to be the owner of that trailer park...a very costly clean up bill as far as I can see! Well, that's about all for now. Until the next tone!!!

**Single Motor Vehicle Accident**

Just as I was about to fall asleep at 2am in the morning, I was startled by the tones of my pager. The call came in stating vehicle accident at "such and such street." As we were arriving on scene, I saw the car just as you are seeing it, thinking there is NO way anyone survived this crash. Well, to my doubts, there wasn't one person that survived...there was 2 people that survived. Just as we got our Squad positioned, the ambulance crew was pushing someone on a stretcher in the ambulance. Then someone else was covered in blood standing, and hopping around with an obvious broken leg. Well, needless to say, we stopped the second guy, and got him onto a backboard, then stretcher as well. Before long, we were conducting our secondary search of the area to make sure no one else was laying around. Apparently, they were only wearing their shoulder belts (from the automatic seatbelts, not their lap belts which in turn probably saved their lives. One was ejected, the other thrown in the back seat which was barely there. Also upon further investigation, the pole was cracking, and was about to snap completely. Borderline surviving this accident, here is another picture of this car afterwards. I'd comment more on this, but I'm about to fall asleep sitting at this computer.

In Memory, On Mind

One thing that I've devoted to on this blog, is a reminder to all of us who serve and the sacrifices we make daily. It would be impossible for me to honor every fallen firefighter individually, so don't take my selectivity to heart. Every fallen comrade means there has been pain and suffering; not to mention the sorrow I personally feel. Our business is certainly an odd one, because the brotherhood we have is dense and is overwhelming. Do you think (for example) a stock broker from New York would care about a fallen stock broker in Seattle? Or a hotel managers? Or whatever? More than likely, I'd have to guess no. Public safety, especially firefighting, I feel there is an unwritten bond. Of course when it happens to a close friend, it's a tough time no doubt.

Worcester, MA-December 3, 1999...6 members did not go home to their loved ones and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Known as the W6, these heroes passed in the line of duty while at a warehouse fire. Paul A Brotherton, Timothy P. Jackson, Jeremiah M. Lucey, James F. “Jay” Lyons III, Joseph T. McGuirk and Lt. Thomas E. Spencer...your bravery will never be forgotten about, certainly not in my eyes and heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your families. Thank you for your service, gentlemen.