5/8 – In the checkout line, wondering why Nostradamus looks like an angry Sean Connery. 5/9 – Charter Hose No. 1 5/10 – Beth learning to handle a manual TLR, in this case a Super Ricohflex. 5/10 – The Vegetable Garden @ Castle Hill 5/12 – Requiem for a picnic table. […]
Tag Archives: fire department
The fog of life
Slightly less than a year ago, I departed for my first shift of 2011 through thick fog. It broke dramatically that morning, signifying hope and promise. If I try to be objective it was a decent year. 362 days later I’m still working a good job with a good employer, my family and […]
Worcester, again
A little over a week ago it began as just another day at work. Yesterday it ended with thousands of firefighters, a hundred bagpipes, and the obligatory television cameras. (turn your speakers all the way up) Career or volunteer, big city or small town, FDNY or Oquossoc, ME; when the […]
Frankenstein’s Engine
Long standing readers of NfMH will know that I commonly use the designation Engine 68 in my writings. Engine 68 is entirely a creation of my imagination, using experiences and impressions from my days on the engine as well as my interactions with other fire units. The 68 is simply a random number from my […]
Code Red
I found myself engaged in a bit of reflection today, for various reasons. Then I stumbled across this: Code Red I haven’t seen that video in a long time. It looks so old now. I was in Providence attending college and buffing the PFD when it was filmed. In my heart the PFD will always […]
Blue Wool
Jasmine lifts her head to look as I enter the room. Most of our cats have been with us long enough to know the familiar rustle of the plastic bag, but this is only the second time she’s seen it. Blue wool. It’s kept wrapped in plastic from the cleaners and locked away in an […]
10 minutes
My fire department has been trying for years to get a second station built. Between funding and politics, it just hasn’t happened. The Town is again studying the issue, with a committee slated to report back this fall. In support of the committee’s efforts, another firefighter and I have been asked to muster our vast […]
More on sleep
Or perhaps it’s moron sleep? A recent post over at Life Under the Lights triggered a memory. CK, I would say you were nuts, but I’ve been there. I have sleep apnea. I suffered with it for years before finally getting diagnosis and treatment. It would probably be more accurate to say that Mrs. Mack505 […]
Operator, what’s the number for 911?
“Hometown Fire Department, this line is recorded. What is the nature of your emergency?” (Yes, our Red Line still goes BRRIIIIIING. It’s also still red and was built by Ma Bell. It’s a wonderful throwback to another era.) Elderly Voice: “I burned some popcorn in the microwave, and I don’t want the fire alarm to […]
Blue LEDs (P365)
Still Life in Blue, 12/21/10 The first snowfall of the year means the DPW is a bit slow on the draw, and everyone has forgotten how to drive in winter. We’ve been luckier than many local communities thus far.
