Up and coming!

Oct 20 & 21, 2007 -- Training at Lakewood Fire Training Center, for Riverside, Brown's/Dash Point, & Edgewood.  Youth, hunger and experience came together for a weekend of learning in the hometown of HeroToHero.US

Three rigs provided the hoses for the training, and yes, that one is blue!    They call it the "Big Blue Machine" ...    I've always called it the Cookie Monster.  It's one of my favorite vehicles.  We're told there are others in Rhode Island, but after 4 years, I can't say we've ever seen them.  Anyone else know of other blue rigs?  Would love to know.  We're trying to get it set up to have the BBM on display in the Hero Static Display at the PackOut, on March 8th.  You oughta come see it!

As I draft this post about up & coming young firefighters doing a training this past weekend, the TV news in the background shows flames and evacuations in southern California due to out of control fires.  The reporter announces that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has "volun-told" national Guardsmen off the border, and that every firefighter is needed to help in the battle.

It is all too clear that we can never have enough Firefighters ... and other emergency responders.  The follow up story was that on the other side of the country, back down in our beloved New Orleans, they are facing another threat that has first responders working overtime ... flooding.

So as I edit these photos, I can't help but wonder what these fresh-faced young firefighters will experience in their careers.    It is always the eyes, truly the windows to the souls of our heroes, that speak volumes.

Today the biggest worry is which way do I crank this fitting?  Will I drag this crazy-heavy hose the full length required?  Will I get this right?    It is their dedication to this noble calling that drives them to do it right ... every time!  It can be humbling ... as it most assuredly, should be.  You watch one, or two, momentarily stumble.  But they get right back up and tackle it all again, ... with a lot of support from all sides.  No one quits, and there is no crying in firefighting!  At least not at this level ... not yet. 

Sadly, for each of these young men and women,  <<...And there are more women with every class! ... there will be that one moment, that one fire, that one response that will break through the facade of fearlessness. 

These are the faceless heroes who rush in as others rush out.  These faces will weather, and hopefully in the lines they accumulate on their faces over years of service, will come deep laugh lines around eyes.  Hopefully when they look back, they will smile  watching the next ones climb the ladder.

Just as some of you look at these faces and say, "they are so young, these are babies" ... they are the same age as our troops in the desert as this is written.  And they are cut of the same cloth.

My heart always swells when I watch the new kids coming into the ranks.  (And yes, the mom in me is very proud that one of them is my son.)

Say a prayer for all of our heroes in harm's way.  These are our best battling our worst.  Our hearts go out to all ofour people battling the blazes ... and from HeroToHero.US, a special prayer for all the emergency responders.

For the instructors, you are amazing, and you make such a difference.  Never let them forget how much heart is needed for this calling, and be proud of the young heroes you are growing!

For the training crews... you look great!   Thanks for sharing your smiles, hope you like your pix!  Now, go learn what HeroToHero.US is all about ... we WILL see you in the future!

( ;

lj

**Remember to use these photos, just give us photo credit  "Photos courtesy of www.HeroToHero.US "   To get the best version of the pic for use, double click the one(s) you want, when they enlarge, cut & paste them in to your own folder.

Tags: hero, Edgewood, Riverside, Dash Point, Brown's Point, fire, heroes, Schwarzenegger, national guard