Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...January 1, 2009
Our company is preparing for our Officer's Dinner this weekend. It's fascinating being involved with the process. People on the outside don't understand that there are committees for everything and just like families you have the people that work hard and the people that just show up at the "party" and lend a hand then.

The other day I went to Costco with one of my friends at the firehouse. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for TF I don't think I would have continued my training instead of throwing in the towel. He told me so many interesting stories while we were picking up things for the party, and taught me so much about cooking a special dinner with a very limited budget on a very important night. He told me stories about pot luck dinners they used to have, and I am happy that our new president wants to resurrect the fun and kindred spirit that was sucked out of us this year with the economy.

We have the newly elected officers being proudly displayed that night, and I am so happy to be part of all the planning. Even happy being part of the clean-up and set-up crew! I look at where the year went and how different I am now within the department. I can only hope that each function and each year continues to get better, and my true personality can come out. Naturally very shy, I don't say much but like to help out whenever I can.

So congratulations to the new officers and thank you to the ones that just stepped down. We learn so much from people with experience and I think they kind of like imparting their wisdom to us too.