Sore, And Bruised, And Tired

    Sometimes, as today, I feel as if I have found my higher calling. In black and white this looks more than a little presumptuous. In the real world it means finding that one thing that combines many of the aspects that make me who I am. I have finally found one thing, one course, one path that fulfills my sense of adventure, my need for physicality, my desire to stretch my brain, my tendency to mother, companionship of heroes, a rush of adrenaline, a tinge of danger, and my wish to do something to better my world. Each weekend of Firefighter Academy takes me one step further along the path, one more skill set put into motion. I read, learn, take written tests, practice a whole variety of skills, learn, and learn, and learn. To hear the seasoned veterans, "We got a call out to a real fun structure fire," makes me laugh every time. I am surrounded by heroes with expansive hearts, and the glee of a 12 year old. It is a fantastic combination.
    This weekend was by far the most physical, and the most fun yet. Saturday we learned ladder basics, which may seem a bit plebeian, until you are climbing a 35' extension ladder while carrying a 12' roof ladder over one shoulder. Then at the top of the ladder, hooking a leg through the rungs to free up both hands, and sliding the roof ladder up the roof to hook over the peak. Sadly, we did not get to climb onto the roof ladder from there. I am fortunate, I do not have a fear of heights or ladders. Lifting and hoisting heavy ladders for a solid 4 hours made for a decent workout, and the joy of climbing high and looking out over the drill grounds from 30' in the air is exhilarating.
    Today. Today was the best day yet. In the first hour we were climbing ladders and rescuing "unconscious victims." This morning I learned that I am more than capable of carrying a 220 pound man, in 40 pounds of gear down a ladder from a second story window. I have to say, what a rush!
    And then... And Then?! We started Search and Rescue, and Rapid Intervention Team training. Ohholymotherofthegods!! We spent a solid 6-1/2 hours in full gear, bellycrawling through the smoke-filled drill tower searching for victims and downed firefighters. To be fully suited up, on canned air, in near zero visibility, working as a team, taxing our bodies to their fullest, learning truly lifesaving skills is a rush I could never have imagined. Search and Rescue appeals to my very core. Rapid Intervention Team, or RIT, is the rapid response team for a downed firefighter. RIT only goes into effect to rescue firefighters. RIT appeals to an even deeper level, it appeals to my very soul.
    Never in my life did I imagine I would find anything as soul satisfying as firefighter training, and the prospect of becoming a firefighter. Yes, I have always held the secret desire to follow this path, but I never in my wildest dreams imagined it would be so satisfying on every level. This is an adventure of a lifetime. It may be The Adventure of A Lifetime. I don't know. All I really know is that this is not make believe, it is not a sport, it is not playing at being the good guy, pretending to be the warrior. It is real, and visceral. It is hard, dirty work with no pay. It is dangerous, the most dangerous job in the world. I am sore, and bruised, and tired. And I am loving every minute of it. Again, let me say, I love my Life.