Personal Narrative-The Life Of A MSP Airport Fire-Fighter

May 30, 2015 it was a stormy night with thunder and lightning flashing all over my town. I had been a volunteer firefighter for the the past 4 year and had just completed my firefighter one course and I had a strange feeling that my fire department was going to get a call soon. At around 10:00 P.M. the call went out for Pawlet, West Pawlet, Rupert, Grandville and Dorset, (which was my department) for a working structure fire at Mach’s General Store caused by a lightning strike. My father was also on the departemt however he was captain and I was just a firefighter. I would always ride down to the station with him becuase it was easier for me. This was my first fire with my Firefighter one so I was pretty excited to go and I

In front of them was a large room with a bunk bed, a desk, a bulletin board, a briefcase, and a closet. A vault stood in the back corner.

I was born into a First Responder family, both my parents were certified in different aspects of the job. My father was and still is an EMT, Paramedic, and the Fire Chief of our local fire department, and my mother was an EMT for ten years. Being born into this lifestyle I didn’t really view it any differently than other families. Around the age of 5, when 9/11 occurred, this changed. My father at the time worked for a company that contracted fire apparatus to the NYPD for 9/11 relief. Due to this he was called out to New York during 9/11 and our whole family relocated there for a few months. This was the first time in which I realized that my parents job is quite different from many others. Instead of running away from New York like many families

She dialed the number. “Park County Realty, Vern Wilson speaking” the voice answered. Cheyenne identified herself and the property of interest. “Is it still available?” she inquired. “I’m sorry ma’am, that property is under contract just this morning. But I do believe a similar and even nicer property will be available soon. It’s across the valley a little bit and it’s really nice. I believe the asking price will be about $85,000.” Cheyenne asked if there were more similar properties available in the area. “Well ma’am, out here, “in the area” is a relative term. If you don’t have to be right in the valley, there are several others available in similar price ranges” the agent said. Cheyenne clarified her requirements and the agent affirmed “Yes ma’am, I think most of them would fit the bill.” “Let me get back to you in a few days. I would like to schedule a trip to see the properties” Cheyenne told him. “Just let me know when you’re coming. I will sure be delighted to show them to you ma’am” Vern replied. As she hung up the phone, Cheyenne felt as though she could conquer the

During the month of October, 2008 we lost another fire fighter in a residential structure fire. The Victim was a 24 Y/O male fire fighter from Alabama who had been a volunteer with the department for two years. The firefighter training seemed to be standard for a new volunteer in the area which he served. As always it is tragic to lose a fire fighter and as always we try to learn from it.

One of civil air patrol's motto's in the cadet program is "rise to the challenge". When I first joined shortly after my 12th birthday I had NO idea what that meant. BUT over time I've learned SO much about myself and my abilities despite my age. Like most cadets...I want to use MY TIME in civil air patrol to inspire and lead...BUT--most of all I want to offer my service....to my friends , my family and my community....

In 2012 I joined the Harlan Fire Department continuing my long standing commitment to my community as a volunteer firefighter EMT.  As a member of the fire department I respond to many different types of calls.  Some of these calls include but are not limited to wildland fires, structure fires, car accidents, and medical calls.  As an active member I was qualified as a Firefighter/EMT, confined space rescue technician, and technical rope rescue technician.   We have a wide range of equipment ranging from type one to type six engines, a heavy rescue truck, UTV, and a 75' ladder truck. With the equipment and training I was a part of a successful grain bin rescue saving the life of one local farmer and part of a successful rescue of a trapped

Almost all of the inside of the building was empty and there were cobwebs everywhere. This place smells like spoiled milk and the thick air makes my eyes water. Set up in the corner to my right were shipping crates arranged into a table and chairs. That must be where they’ve planned to meet. Hiding would be easy here, because there was an upper landing on the inside perimeter of the warehouse. I’m sure no one will even notice me. I have around 20 minutes, so I go over my assignment in my

It was a Sunday morning and my family and I had just gotten back from church. I was sitting down in the living room when we got toned out to wires down in Ohio. This was going to be my brother’s first call he would go on. He had just turned 16 and was now a junior member in the department. Peter and I hopped in the car with our firefighter gear and my mom drove us down to the firehouse as we listened to the scanner to get

To start this night was very warm and I had a feeling in my gut that it was going to be a very busy night. So, I arrived at the Public Safety Building and Officer Champoli came and got me. He informed me that before we head out he had to finish up a DWI report from the night before. So while he typed up his report I saw what it was like to type up reports today for officers. Its all automated except for the narrative portion you just point and click and type in the information. He got a phone call from the Sargent and he told him that he was needed out on the road. While we were driving he told me about a crack addict he had arrested the night before and that she had multiple arrests on her record and had some stuff shoved up a certain area drugs should not be. At which point we got called over to Metlars for a suspicious

One cloudy evening in 1995, there was a family that awaits at Disney World for a week off so they can spend more time with each other. Jonnie is a fearsome firefighter that loves his family dearly. Susan, Jonnie's sweet wife, is always with Emily Jonnie's and Susan's beautiful daughter.

Danny was born on November 21, 1973, in Ottawa, KS. I asked Danny what his childhood was like, his response was, “My father was in the military, we moved around about every three years. We lived in Germany for three years, came back for three years, then went back to Germany. About 1982 - 1985 came back to Fort Sill, OK, and my father left the military.” “How did you feel about your father being in the military? I questioned. “Well, it was rough as first; we kinda got used to it. I mean, I’m glad that he did what he wanted to do, he wanted to help people.” Danny said, with a little smile. “I bet you were really proud of your father.” I said. He said, “I was.” We sat in silence for a few seconds.

During the holiday I helped out with the colo heights fire for 8 days. It meant long days, which I was prepared form. But what I wasn’t prepared for was having things happen that were out of our control.

Afterwards Jim and I went back to Banff and had breakfast after staying up all night looking at a hot red light. I thanked Jim for going inside the building and helping me save the girl inside, JIm then explained to me that he didn’t just go inside to get the job done, but to comfort me when he knew I didn’t have a lot of experience with such a big fire. This helped me to realize that my teammates had my back. Not only did this help me to overcome the fear that being a firefighter, but it helped with my mother's passing because I got to save some one where my mom was unable to be saved. I had finally found a true

The shadowy figure stood on the roof of the building, going over in his head the plan for this job. The central floors were entirely unoccupied, and so that would be his entry point. He grinned; this was going to be too easy. Tying a lifeline to himself and one of the water pipes snaking up the side of the building, he carefully lowered himself to the fourth floor balcony. He quickly pulled out a set of lock-picking tools and made short work of the pitiful lock on the door. Inside the building was an office, plain and rather dull. Cubicles split the room and made his line of sight short, but he knew where he was going. Walking swiftly, he navigated his way through the maze of bland, gray cubicle walls,