NIAGARA FALLS FIRE has lots of water - Go figure, eh?

6-11-08 -- NIAGARA FALLS FIRE --  This was a return visit for us and one we looked forward to.  This is the same department that used last year's Stunt Bear, Rookie, as a target in a makeshift hockey game.  Rookie wasn't as amused are were we.  But hey, that's what he signed on for.

This year we lucked into a training situation and so the firefighters were more than willing to take a break for a little bit, to play and represent for their deployed Niagara troops.

We kept it pretty casual, as we didn't want to take them away for too long.  So we gave them their mission ... have fun with this year's Stunt Bear, Ms Ineeda Medic.  And that they did!  Oh my.

Most of the team headed upstairs to sign the banner and take a small break.  We assumed the guys would surprise when we came out and we would see what their ornery lil minds had come up with.  But no, they were into it, and luckily our cameras were onhand -- Great job Hailey & Brad! 

Poor Ineeda bit off a bit more than she could chew on this one.  LOL  She was a football, then somehow she ended up taped on the end of the nozzle going for one heck of a wild ride.  I didn't see that one, but I bet it was crazy.

She took in a lot of water, and despite some pretty crude compressions, we thought she was a goner for a few minutes.  The firefighters felt so sad, and took a moment to pay their respects.  But then, TADA!  She was fine.  She told us later that she was just messing with them.  But she did comment later that she thought she'd been as waterlogged as she could get, in Toronto -- And she had to admit she was wrong!

This stop was also great because it was where we got to meet one of our best new friends, EMS Leila Paugh.  What a character-- We love her!

She even joined us for lunch, where we got to share a game that we'd been taught back in the 80's by Canadian troops.  Ever heard of Crud?  We used to have a blast with this game - When it didn't go to the "combat" version, that is.  In fact, they used to have Crud Tournaments back at Seymour-Johnson AFB that would pack the Officer's club to overflowing.

We needed to backtrack for a scheduled event in Hamilton, but then we would be back later in the early evening for more in Niagara ... and we couldn't wait!

Niagara -- You rock!!!  We'll see you on our next visit.  Enjoy your book, and thanks for playing!!!

lj

**Hailey McHarg's photos have been added to this post -- Enjoy the pix!

Tags: Niagara Fire, Crud, Hailey McHarg