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[fireftr18]

While cleaning out my Mom's house, getting her ready to move into a smaller house, we found an old newspaper clipping from June, 2001.That's one of those calls that you remember the rest of your life. A nasty thunderstorm just went through the city. The area I was in at the time is the highest point of the city, so lightning really likes it. The entire side of the city was out making countless lightning strike calls that turned out to be nothing. Our dispatch office was struck and everything was down. Even the emergency generator couldn't get power to it. They were using hand radios to dispatch. They didn't know who was where in our area. They radio'd the first due engine company who promptly went. The rest of us, listening, dispatched ourselves and we were able to get a full first alarm response. We took care of the fire, then checking for hotspots. That's when the picture was taken. Very shortly after, there was lightning close. I looked down and was waved off the roof. Only when I got down, I found out that the tree that is just out of the picture was hit by the lightning.

[RockinRobbins]

You guys are just like guys serving on submarines in WWII. Everything you do has danger to it and during the most mundane of tasks something can go wrong to take you out. Most of us work in jobs where we'd be horrified if we were asked to risk our lives in search of a paycheck. But it is OUR danger you willingly take on as your own. We all owe you a debt of gratitude for what you do.

[fireftr18]

Thanks RR. That thought just about brought tears to my eyes. I'm sure the same sentiments go out Wernher also.

[denis4510]

You guys are just like guys serving on submarines in WWII. Everything you do has danger to it and during the most mundane of tasks something can go wrong to take you out. Most of us work in jobs where we'd be horrified if we were asked to risk our lives in search of a paycheck. But it is OUR danger you willingly take on as your own. We all owe you a debt of gratitude for what you do.

Could not have put it better. My uncle was a firery for 40 years - nearly lost him once in a refinery fire. ( He never cursed his heavy gear after that.)

My admiration goes out to Police , Ambos and Firefighters.