Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 22, 2009

Almost every day I have an egg sandwich at this tiny diner across the street from my office. While I was walking to the diner today, the fire alarm went off in Chatham. I passed a little girl walking with her Mom and the child was holding her hands over her ears. She yelled, "Mom, what's that noise?" The mom mumbled something about the sound being the railroad, which happens to run behind the Chatham firehouse. It wasn't my place to correct her so I continued on my merry way.

I was a the counter in the diner and one engine flew by, siren flaring. A woman much older than me, in maybe her 70s, asked the air in the diner what was going on. She walked outside and just watched the engine go by and then saw another go by. Of course, unless the scene is right in front of you there is no way of knowing what's going on. It reminded me of when I was little and she was probably my age, and people would actually stop and watch a fire truck go by. It wasn't to gape or anything like they do now, or try to catch a glimpse of a hot firefighter, but just to say a silent prayer that the firefighters and person who rang the bell (back in the old days) would be safe.

Hey, what ever happened to Fire Prevention Week? Overshadowed by something else?

Have a great day everyone!

Denise Broesler
NJ Rookie Firefighter