Pump Time

    Adventures, grand and minor. There have been many since I last posted. I could wax poetic about my half-Ironman, which was an epic adventure that has inspired me to take it to the next level, a full Ironman, which is an ongoing adventure in and of itself. But tonight, what has me inspired and full of visions of the future, and dreams realized, are the baby steps towards being a full fledged apparatus operator, and pump operator for Engine 485. "My" Engine. The beautiful, gloriously red, amazing machine that I have the privilege of not only doing a weekly apparatus check, but that I also get to drive. No, I am not signed off to drive it to an emergency, yet. Yes, I am signed off on the Rescue Rig now, and last night was my first chance to drive Code Three, lights and sirens, and I had to force myself to not be grinning like an idiot. My Captain, Eddie, knew though, he is a good natured old-timer, and the guy that has taken me under his wing, been my champion, and let me get in as much drive time as he possibly can. He calls me "Kid," I call him "Boss." We are a good team. But I digress, I will pull myself away from the elation of Code Three to what is really on my mind tonight: Pump Operations. Yes, what may seem banal to most, not the glory of manning an attack line on a blaze, is what I really want to learn to do. It is a strange mix of simple and common sense, and yet complicated and vital. Tonight was my second chance to get in pump time during drill. As I see it, 2 hours down, about 28 to go. This will be a long process, but it is not to be rushed. No one wants to be inside a burning building with an inexperienced pump operator in charge of their life line. I know I wouldn't. So, I will be patient, and glad that the small bunch of guys at our undermanned little out-station are taking me under their tutelage, and training me from the ground up. I know I can be impatient to reach a goal when I really want it, but this is one case where I will be as patient as need be, taking as much time as they deem I need, before I am thrown into the thick of it with the responsibility of providing water on the fire grounds. Fortunately I am surrounded by experience, and they are happy to share the knowledge. I am excited. Not in the over the top way of getting to drive Code Three, but in a quiet, respectful way. Knowing the heavy responsibility that goes with the label "Pump Operator" gives me a tingling chill deep in my marrow, makes my pulse race just a bit, and my mind buzz with the immensity of it all. Two years ago who would have thought that I would be living life with a pager at my hip (when I am in district anyway), getting to drive a fire engine in all it's fabulous glory, getting medical training to be a First Responder, and now building on the base of firefighter training to become, hopefully, a full fledged pump operator someday. Someday. I can be patient. It is worth the time. Pump time.