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Today has been the final day of the Farewell Tour. My last shift on the Eastern Front has brought lots of handshakes and well-wishes. Who knows when I'll be back. Every shift is somehow memorable, but this one has had compartment doors opening at inopportune times, a minor crash, and a surprisingly nice interaction with… Continue reading Incidents and accidents, hints and allegations
I sit enjoying the warm solstice evening, reading a good book in the garage. The city has had no love for us today. A reported diabetic who only wanted a cup of coffee. A morbidly obese patient who called 911 looking for a wheelchair van. A reported overdose in a fast food bathroom. I haven't… Continue reading Medic 6
“Eighty-Two to Ancestral Hometown Fire Alarm, advise responding units I can confirm smoke showing on Near Horizon Mountain. It looks like it's somewhere on the northeast shoulder.” “Received Eighty-Two. Fire Alarm to all AHFD units, Rescue 82 confirms smoke showing at that location.” My sister lowered her binoculars. Even without their aid, the column of… Continue reading Funny thing about firemen. . .
It's a beautiful late summer Tuesday morning. Good Friend and I finish our checklists and head out for bagels in the A9. GF's news pager buzzes. He 'harrumphs' and hands it to me. A plane has flown into the World Trade Center. We assume it must be some idiotic private pilot with a Cessna, who… Continue reading Another Tuesday
In the description of this blog, I refer to myself as a 'firefighter, paramedic, train buff, family man.' Most of my inspired writing lately has been fire/EMS related.A bit of self-indulgence, if you would: Beth began school today. Real, yellow-bus, lunch-in-a-big-room SCHOOL. I'm so proud.Where did all the time go? It seems like not long… Continue reading Self indulgence
“We've got a fire on the stage!” I tore from the back of the Performing Arts office, sprinting for the Stage Right doors. I grew up in a firehouse. I always knew someday I'd be not only a firefighter, but that special breed above all else, a ROWLEY firefighter. Episodes of 'Emergency!' piqued my interest… Continue reading The Show Must Go On
This morning I've received my first official outside link. Kal over at TraumaQueen.net accepted my submission for this month's edition of the Handover Blog Carnival. Read the post, and check out what some other great EMS bloggers are doing. From there you can follow the links to past monthly editions and see some of my… Continue reading Reciprocation, and perspective
Stayed here for a couple nights away for our anniversary. We hiked down Canon Mtn via the Kinsman Ridge trail and got really beat up. The trail was in horrid shape; I don't know if it's from the recent bad weather or just hard use. I guess there's a reason they recommend you hike UP… Continue reading Inn at Ellis River
As I was searching for a topic to start this blog, it occurred to me that last month marked 19 years on the fire department for me. In that time I've seen 3 chiefs, and only 2 full-time firefighters. I've seen 3 engines come, and 3 go. I'm on my third ladder truck.I've saved a… Continue reading 19 years. . .
Notes from Mosquito Hill 