The good, the bad, and lots and lots of ugly

This past February was my 14th anniversary on the fire department. When I started, all the "old timers" would sit around and talk about how fast the time seems to go on the job. Well, most of those old timers are gone, and yes, the time flies. I can remember showing up for work on my first day in the engine house, scared to death, meeting the rest of the firefighters I'd end up spending at least a third of my life with. We stood in a line for roll call and the next thing I knew, I was on my knees because of the 5 gallions of water that had been dumped on me from the roof of the engine house. When all the laughing stopped, my captain just looked at me, told me to get dried off, and get to work cleaning the "shitters". I knew right then and there that I was in my element.

Since then, I've seen some good things happen. I've seen some bad things happen. And I've seen lots and lots of ugly things happen.

Check back every now and again, and I'll share a few of the stories that happen as a firefighter/paramedic.