Wow, what memories.  Reread my post and realized my grammar was shoing the
late night time.  Really folks, most days I'm actually quiet intelligent
even if my writing does not always show it.  My Dad was a firefighter in my
hometown Strongsville, OH.  It used to just be where I-71 and the Ohio
Turnpike met.  Basically, a little hick town.  Now it's a major(pop. wise)
suburb of Cleveland.  My Dad was a firefighter there for almost 20 years.
He started out as a volunteer firefighter.  I get my love of speed from my
Dad.  Used to get into the local football games free by riding in the
ambulance with him.  You should have seen the look on a teacher's face when
he saw me in the ambulance one time.  I could go on.
I was the one in the Navy (as in Never Again Volunteer Yourself and It's not
just a job, but, a joke, etc.)  Technincally, everyone in the Navy learns to
be a firefighter.  I  learned to fight fighters because it was my job.  Had
fun saving the USS Buttercup ( a damage control trainer)from sinking  in the
Philadelphia Shipyard.  Also, went to Norfolk firefighter school.  Lot's of
fun.  Didn't get the big training as my command was literally attached to
the pier and the base fighters would get there before we could get our
equipment up.  I think the biggest fire I put out in 5 years was the one I
started on my hair.  (Don't ask <grin>).
Firefighters can be great guys but, there definately is a lot of
misogynistic(sp?) tendencies.  And don't get me started about quotas.


Beth the OT

-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Betty Alfred
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 11:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Betty's HOW/rules about the fire department


In a message dated 04/26/2000 9:34:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Yep, Betty you sound just like a firefighter.  My fought them for 20+
years
 in a small town.  I loved visiting my Dad where he worked.  Big trucks are
 always way cool.  Trained to be a firefighter in the Navy.  Love controlled
 burns, too fun, big wrenches, water, sexy uniforms...

What town -- where was your Dad?  I visited a number of small town fire
departments on the East Coast during the Eighties and was always treated
well.  The fire house in Jonesbourough Tennessee was a very special visit.
These guys did their best to show me how professional they were, and I was
impressed too.  Their apparatus was well cared for, their uniforms were
professional looking, the fire house was clean, and they treated me like a
sister -- as it should be with a visiting fireman.  They invited me to stay
for dinner and I did.  They were humble too, not cocky.  I fell in love with
all of them immediately.

<cut>
Okay, I'm shutting up now -- promise.