Advanced Ladders

    Interesting point of Grand Adventures, they do seem to leave less time for passive past-times such as writing, and writing about Grand Adventures. I have been going at a breakneck pace since the first of the year, but as the initial Academy phase of my epic Firefighter Adventure comes to a conclusion in just a few days, I may have just a wee bit more downtime. Maybe. A wee bit.
    Firefighter Academy has had more epic adventures than I can even list. So I will stick with a few recent, extreme highlights. One class I had been awaiting with eager anticipation since my earliest introduction to the Engines, was Advanced Ladders. I know, I know, it does not sound all that amazing. That is, until you realize that part of the class involved the fabulous Ladder Engine. The Engine with an 85' aerial ladder. My heart races a bit just thinking of her. The day of Advanced Ladders dawned sunny and mild, as early Spring in our neck of the woods can be. It truly was a gorgeous day. By 8:30am we were in our PPEs, on the drill grounds, hoisting the 40' extension ladder. Yeah, not so much fun, except that there was a definite sense of victory to hoist that cumbersome mother into the air, extend it to its full height, and to be the first to scramble up and slap the side of the drill tower, 40' in the air. That was kinda cool. We spent the morning hoisting hand ladders, all the while knowing that we had the 85' aerial awaiting us. It was definitely the carrot on the stick. The sooner we showed proficiency with with the bigger extension ladders, we would get our chance to climb to glorious heights.
    Of course, when it came time to climb, the instructor did not even manage to get the words out of his mouth, "Okay, who wants to be first...."  "ME! ME! ME!" My hand was in the air, I was literally jumping up and down, and ready to make a mad dash to the engine. I got to go first. It was every bit as fabulous as I imagined. I was quivering with excitement, like a racehorse at the gate. I had to force myself to climb with an iota of decorum. Once up in the basket, the view was fantastic. I got a brief tutorial on the controls up in the basket, and then I got to feel the grace in which the ladder moves, side to side, up and down, seamless and smooth. I understand the fanaticism of Truckees, the crew assigned to the Ladder Truck, she is an amazing creation. Maybe, someday, if the fire gods smile down on me. I may get to crew such an engine. Or not. I find that each engine, no matter how small or large, is a wonder in its own right. Each engine has a personality, a purpose, and siren's song, literally. I LOVE FIRETRUCKS!