Sunday, September 14, 2008

Fire in the hole!


What you don’t hear on this Saturday morning AFD training scene is the beep, beep, beeping of oxygen tanks signally their precious commodity is almost gone, or the awful crackling of fire consuming everything in its path. But the smell was almost the same –somehow different from a campfire or burning brush or even an old backyard chicken coop.

Perhaps it’s simply the rugs, curtains, paneling, books and all those everyday essentials that make a home a home, suddenly vaporized. Call it the essence of those who lived there--or God forbid--are still there when the beast comes calling.

Thank God for trained firefighters.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

No Larry, thank God for those willing to look out for their fellow man, of which trained firefighters are made.

A working fire is somewhat scary, isn't it?

Ed

Larry Kelley said...

Yeah, it is indeed. Unlike opponents in business, athletics or even war: fire does not care. It simply exists to devour--a perfect doomsday device.

And all you can do is put it down-- KILL it, before it kills you.

You can't intimidate it, you can't bargain with it and you can't expect anything remotely resembling mercy.

Anonymous said...

thanks larry. you are the man on the beat.

goodbye old neighborhood.

Larry Kelley said...

At least the crusty Gazette covered it today with photos--one of them wicked cute.

Anonymous said...

yea, the one of the little boy watchng his father, in training, was very cute. I wonder what is going on in his mind, as he watches?

Amhersst Fire Department is one of the best and needs to continue on its' endeavor of saving homes and lives. God Bless them all, and I thank them for their recognition of 9/11. They did a great job in this anti-9/11 town.

Until later.....................