I've been a volunteer firefighter for 10(ish) years, and an over the road trucker for the past 9 years. An on the job back injury Oct 3rd, 2007 has taken me out of commission from trucking. Going through the ringer trying to get it fixed, including unsuccessful surgery Jan 24th. My abilities are greatly diminished, but I try to be of some help on any calls. My lil red car, with its flashing LEDs, and the bright pink "accident ahead" sign manage to get some workouts, even with my not very usefull body behind the wheel. I live reasonably close to the fire hall, so lately I've been driving the pumper to medical calls, allowing 1st responders to go directly to the scenes. Seems there's still plenty that this run-down old fart can do LOL.

Being my size (6' 7") I'm really wondering if my back will ever recover. I know that I am still able to be of some help, no matter what type of call comes in, but I sure miss packing up, and taking the fight to the belly of the beast. Well... this is me, for now. Take care all, and blessings to you all.

Moose

I guess it's time for an update... There was a second surgery Nov. 13th, 2008, but it wasn't the procedure that the surgeon wanted to do. The joys of dealing with work comp. I am able to move better than when I wrote the top portion of this (in Feb. of '08) but I am still far from being in 'fighting trim'. It was a busy day for this little town... a 2 car wreck, and mutual aid for a chimney fire that moved into the living room. Did what I could, but not as much as I wanted to.

My frustration level is high. I would really like to go back to work, at some type of job, and be productive again. It would also be nice to be able to get back to the smoke and ash again. Maybe some day.