Bridgeport’s Tears

It began as a normal job

Fire showing, second floor

We set out to begin our tasks

Like a thousand times before

Nothing special about this house

Just two and a half story wood

In through the back door

Adjusting pacs, gloves and hood

Though the heat was oppressive

This should be over quick

Engine men place their hoseline

And Ladder men their stick

We all have responsibilities

Which all work hand in hand

Water, ventilation, forcing doors

They have all been pre-planned

On that day search and rescue

Was Ladder 11’s assignment

So up to the third floor

Their company was sent

It looked like a quick stop

As the fire darkened down

But it had traveled upward

As smoke showed, dark brown

Suddenly we heard “Mayday”

Then “Mayday” once again

We all knew that trouble

Had found one of our friends

 
The Rapid Intervention Team

Was swiftly deployed

To recover our brothers

Before the building was destroyed

Though we got to them quickly

And pulled them to the street

We worked feverishly to save them

On the blazing hot concrete

Saving lives is our profession

The inevitable to postpone

But we just couldn’t pull it off

For two of our own

Nothing left for us to do

But to honor these brave men

The Lieutenant and the rookie

Will serve together again

Firefighters from all over

In a show of respect

Will send off these heroes

Sworn to serve and protect

Thousands of brothers will gather

And they’ll remember for years

The day they came together

To share Bridgeport’s tears

Lt. Tom Kenney

Providence Fire Department