The Question

 

 

I was at the firehouse one night, when a fellow firefighters' son asked him the question:

Dad, why did you become a volunteer fireman?

 

He tried to explain, but was soon at a loss for words. "I just like it." was all he could say.

 

This letter I write is to inform the non-volunteers of our thoughts, when asked the question.

 

Let's start with the obvious:

      You don't get paid.

            You run into a burning building, while the sane people are running out.

            You get less sleep than normal folks.

 

Now, onto the really good parts:

            You get up at 2:00 A.M. to race to an accident scene. The sleep is still in your eyes while some drunk is screaming at you, about his new car being smashed.

            Or there is no screaming at all.

            Youre digging your car out of the snow, so you can slip and slide to the firehouse, to get the truck on the way.

            It's 90 degrees outside, and youre in 20 lbs. of bunker gear with a 30 lb. air pack strapped to your back, and youre dragging a water filled hose up a staircase.

 

Is it sounding fun yet?

 

But wait! There's more!

 

Fund raising:

 

      Working Bingo can be fun -  if you like being complained to.

      Standing in a busy intersection with a boot in your hands, gets donations and sharpens your reflexes at the same time.

            And who can forget those wonderful 50/50 tickets!

 

This may sound like I have a negative attitude, but I don't.  I'm about to make a point.

 

Some of the benefits that the non-volunteers dont always see:

 

      Sharing a laugh with a person who is willing to risk his life to save yours.

      Getting a pat on the back for a job well done.

      Getting a pat on the back, even in failure to get the job done.

      Receiving a thank you card from a person who youve helped.

      Learning from the more experienced.