Be a volunteer firefighter

Wake up 0600

Get out of bed, make sure pager is charged and put on the highest volume setting

Put on cargo shorts, “VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER – I FIGHT WHAT YOU FEAR” T-shirt

Make sure to put my pager on my belt that it’s super visible to make everyone aware I’m a volunteer firefighter

Time. To. Fight. Fires.

Wait for a call.

Wait some more.

Get hungry.

Get in my 2001 pick up truck with $8000 worth of flashing red, white lights.

See my neighbor. “Hey Jeb how are you doin?”

Ignore him. He should know I am ON DUTY and ready to fight what he fears. I am FOCUSED.

Drive to McDonalds.

Get to the ordering line.

Cashier asks “Can I take your order please”

“I’ll let you off with a warning. I am a volunteer firefighter and should be addressed as such. Let me get a large coke and a nu-“

TONES DROP.

“TANKER 1100, LADDER 7, ENGINE 20 – 1234 MIDDLEWAY – AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM”

“sorry ma’am I gotta go – someone out there needs me. I am a volunteer firefighter afterall.”

Run code 3, lights and sirens in my POV to the station – ramming through traffic

Don’t these idiotic civilians know I got lives to save?

Arrive at the Firehouse, phew, get out, run into the station, put on my turnout gear.

So. Fucking. Hard.

Get in the truck.

“incident command states all units can recall”

Get out of the truck.

Today was just a drill. One day I’ll be tested.

Drive home.

Check eharmony.

0 matches.

One day I’ll be appreciated for what I do – until then it’s up to me to do what others won’t.

Go to sleep.