Rookie

[beau194]

It was my first day as a rookie. The station was the largest in town. The crew was mostly rough acting, talking veterans. There was an engine, ladder truck, rescue truck, and an ambulance. I was to go out as often as possible for the experience. The alarm sounded and my heart jumped into my throat. It was a house fire for the engine company. I jumped into my boots, pulled up my bunking pants, secured my suspenders, swung my coat over my shoulders, and pushed my helmet down tight over my head. The engine was pulling out. It was a Mack convertible. I jumped on the back running board and grabbed the rails. As we swung onto the street, I lost my grip on the rails. I felt myself fly up in the air as we hit a bump. In a brief second, I wondered what it was going to be like to hit pavement. As I fell backward, the other 'plugman' reached over, caught me, and pulled me back to safety. He had been keeping his eye on me all the while...We pulled up at the fire scene. I was sick with fear but, surging with adrenalin.The house was fully involved. I was assigned to a 1 1/2" attack line. My partner and I went in the front door, crawling. It was so hot. I couldn't see anything but thick, black smoke and an orange glow. We opened our line and I felt the strong kick of power from the pressure in the hose. We began a rotating fog pattern of water...I was a Firefighter!

[caregiver222]

Nice story.

[margypops]

oh Wow what an initiation ...This is the way firefighters are, I wonder if they are born that way adreneline and no fear ..born hero's Thanks beau for giving us an insight ..