We have to rewind a few days to get the point of this story, so bear with me. This whole "mess" started a few days ago. But I'm gonna tell you, it was a mess at first, then I realized it was a learning experience, and OH what I learned!
This started Sunday. I was on duty at the fire station. QUIET day, with storms rolling in. I knew it was coming, just wasn't sure when. About 2130 we got the call for wires down. Neighboring Fire Dept was on scene, realized they were on my side of the border, called me. Gotta go. Around 0400 the following day, I made a decision and secured the scene and cleared. 7 hours with cat naps in the rig was enough. Ohio Edison is really busy with the storm, but I'm done babysitting wires.
Get back to the station, all kinds of tired and angry. Write my report, back to bed around 0430. EMS call at 0500. Really? I have part-time job stuff to do tomorrow!
Get out of work at 0700, try for a nap. No dice. Tones hit, and I'm off and running again. Get back home, get my paperwork together, make some phone calls, set up my day for my part time job. Car fire in Aliquippa PA, and structure in Lowellville OH. About 150 miles driving, and an all day project. Swell. "Warren J, you betta go to 7-11. I'm gonna need a Slurpee to figga dis one out!" That's a different story when I rode along in Fairfax County VA. So I get some Monster Rehab, and go about my day. Angry.
Drive to Aliquippa PA, figure out the car fire. Stop at the structure fire in Lowellville OH on my way home. I am SO beat at this point. Get home, just dragging ass tired. I've had 1.5 hours sleep in 48 hours. NAP! Curl up on the couch with my favorite pillows.
NO! Dumb ass! Get up!!!!! EMT class tonight, and a quiz! OMG! Let me sleep!
Where's the lesson? You have to read deep into this story to see it. I'll give you a minute to think about it. Hell, it took me 3 days to realize I was learning something! In the meantime listen:
Ya ready?
I was feeling sorry for myself, feeling bad I was so tired. Then I got to thinking about a good friend of mine that was handed a career death blow, but he didn't stop. It made him stronger. I believe he's off to bigger and better things because he always thinks positive!
Here's my lesson:
I went to school to do this.
THEY depend on me to fix their problems.
I continue my education, so I can help them in other ways.
They ask me to help them in other ways.
I continue to fix those problems as well.
I continue my education.
I will never stop learning how to be a better firefighter.
So let's go back a bit. It's all about the positive attitude. You want a puppy? You think about puppies! POSITIVE things about puppies! You don't think about the food, the accidents on the floor, the problems. You think about a new best friend, and scratching his belly.
I was taught a lesson, without even realizing it. Because I'm making an honest effort to be positive in all aspects of my life.
YOU wanted this training!
YOU went to school!
YOU want to be one of us!
YOU want to be a Warrior!
You want a better world? You don't have to fight fires for a living, but I do have the answer! It starts with YOU!!!!
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