We used to have this lady in the neighborhood bring some of the sweetest juice you ever tasted to fires on hot days. This was about 20-25 years ago. The only acts of kindness I got since was someone letting me use the bathroom.

 

Do you experience surprise acts of Kindness on fire scenes.

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About a year ago during an "all nighter" a neighbor appeared in an adjacent driveway with a folding table and a tall pot of hot coffee. He served us coffee, water and smiles for hours.
Perhaps the biggest act of kindness is a heartfelt "thank you"
I was on an extended wildfire scene, not like days or anything. But this couple brought us sandwiches and water. It was much appreciated, as we were there for around 8 hours.
Yes, we get people bringing us soft drinks, cookies an cop lures (Doughnuts) very often. You know that those good deeds always come back to you in good things.
During an extended fire at a local storage facility, a Bar-B-Que establishment near the fire scene showed up with BBQ sandwiches, drinks, and chips for everyone involved. Greatly appreciated
Several years ago we were on a large factory/warehouse fire where they make small tires, a two day job. Second night into it, a guy pulls up in a pick-up with a bed full of McDonald's burgers, two to a bag-- chucks them all out. I asked the guy, you work for McDonald's? He replies nope thought you guy's might be hungry, jumps in his truck and drives off. Now that's what I call a true drive through!
The Auxiliary for my department reflects the most amazing acts of kindness. Their patterns of generosity never fail to cheer my spirit. They are well organized and avidly care for the members of our department and anyone else working alongside us.

I (and a few of my family members, also firefighters) do not drink coffee - religious dietary reasons. None of us said anything to the Auxiliary - we just refused when offered coffee and would drink something else.

I remember one total loss house fire, with missing homeowner inside, it was -10 F degrees all night long (then a 20 hr body search). And the Auxiliary - many of them the wives of the staff - were out on the tailgate of a pickup truck serving us food and refreshments for hours and hours and hours, meal after meal. I remember after I refused maybe the 10th cup of coffee, one of the wives said to me "it is 10 below zero, you must drink coffee or you will freeze inside." To which I mentioned I don't drink coffee due to religious reasons - this comment suddenly spawned a big discussion among the Auxiliary that THAT must be why so many people on our department don't drink THEIR coffee - FINALLY they knew the answer :) [they had a debate between them that it was because they made bad coffee:) ]

They asked if "we" drank other hots drinks... yes, we do, hot chocolate, milk or cider, and non-caffeinated tea, and the like.

EVERY CALL after that fire, when the Auxiliary came to any emergency or community event, they brought hot chocolate or milk and cider and herbal tea.

Their avid desire to uniquelly meet each members needs was a true blessing !!! not measured in words

That amazing act of kindness was greatly appreciated by each of us - and many of the coffee drinkers also started to integrate other options into their drinking needs, since there is only so much coffee one person can drink :-)
Most of the times its usually a day or two after a major event that someone comes to the house and brings something for all the guys, along with thank you notes or cards.
About 4 years ago a local restaurant went up in July the local mcdonalds brought out burgers and the local ritas brought out frozen drinks much appriciated. Then about 3 or 4 monthes ago I was on a wildland and the pikes peak rehab group or something like that had hotdogs coffee water Gatorade and all kinds of snacks. First fire while I was at mcguire afb in jersey second fire while I was at Peterson afb Colorado. When I'm home on an extended fire you can count on the red cross coming out or having at least 1 or 2 restaurants of about 3 dozen bringing goodies out for us depending on where the call is at. Then we get the occasional caring neighbor bring stuff out for us. I think Beverly said it best a genuine thank you is the best thing you can get back.
i always stop in when i have time to the local fire houses and drop off cookies or pizza just to say thanks and see how things r going
Doing a boot drive last year, a car pulled up, and the man inside was wearing a Vietnam Veteran's hat. After he gave us a favorable donation, I said "Thank you for your service". The man stopped, looked up, shook my hand, and said "Thank you for yours". I still get chills thinking about it.
We recently had a gas well explosion and were there for over 12 hours. McDonalds and Burger King provided us with lunch.

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