In My Father's Footsteps
Today, of course, is Father's day and while I wasn't down home to visit Serddad, I did give him a shout just to say hey. I suppose it's axiomatic that children don't really become friends with their parents till they move out. I know that was certainly true for me, though I may just use different axioms.
My dad was a volunteer fireman for fifteen years - which really doesn't like a long time but there was a time I couldn't imagine him as anything else. I spent a lot of time over at the Firehall, either playing on the trucks... ok, well, I was really just playing on the trucks as my dad was visiting.
It seemed that every Father's day, there was a fire, somewhere and probably hydro pole fire to boot. That would mean they'd have to stand out in the rain, waiting for Ontario Hydro to show up and turn off the power. Hydro pole fires never happened on sunny days.
If it wasn't a hydro pole fire, it would be a major structure fire the night before, so we'd (myself, Serdmom and Pipes [my brother]) end up making sandwiches at midnight, along with the ladies auxiliary. Fighting fires is hungry work. Generally, the guys would return to the station around 4 am, I'd wander over as and help them clean the firehoses (80-100 lbs of dirty wet hose). It was really the best Father's day gift I could think of.
I never really knew why he joined the fire department, but I do know he helped people and he did his share. I guess I've been trying to figure out how I can help people and do my share - it's really been in the back of my head for a while. There was a good long time there that I was looking to get out of computers and go back to school to be a paramedic. Time passed, debt grew, and it became a goal that slipped away.
Still, I was recently provided with the opportunity to take First Aid and CPR training through work and during that training, I learned about the St. John's Ambulance Volunteer program. They'll give me additional training, and in return, I'll volunteer my time to provide first aid at community events. I guess I'll see what I'm made of - I've had great role model to follow after.
My dad was a volunteer fireman for fifteen years - which really doesn't like a long time but there was a time I couldn't imagine him as anything else. I spent a lot of time over at the Firehall, either playing on the trucks... ok, well, I was really just playing on the trucks as my dad was visiting.
It seemed that every Father's day, there was a fire, somewhere and probably hydro pole fire to boot. That would mean they'd have to stand out in the rain, waiting for Ontario Hydro to show up and turn off the power. Hydro pole fires never happened on sunny days.
If it wasn't a hydro pole fire, it would be a major structure fire the night before, so we'd (myself, Serdmom and Pipes [my brother]) end up making sandwiches at midnight, along with the ladies auxiliary. Fighting fires is hungry work. Generally, the guys would return to the station around 4 am, I'd wander over as and help them clean the firehoses (80-100 lbs of dirty wet hose). It was really the best Father's day gift I could think of.
I never really knew why he joined the fire department, but I do know he helped people and he did his share. I guess I've been trying to figure out how I can help people and do my share - it's really been in the back of my head for a while. There was a good long time there that I was looking to get out of computers and go back to school to be a paramedic. Time passed, debt grew, and it became a goal that slipped away.
Still, I was recently provided with the opportunity to take First Aid and CPR training through work and during that training, I learned about the St. John's Ambulance Volunteer program. They'll give me additional training, and in return, I'll volunteer my time to provide first aid at community events. I guess I'll see what I'm made of - I've had great role model to follow after.
posted by Serdic at 21:08
5 Comments:
Good for you, Serdic! I hope you find it fulfilling and enjoyable!
I did St. John's volunteer for many years. I enjoyed it tremendously, and I know you will too!
Cool. Hope you enjoy it.
I'm glad that you're getting a chance to pursue your dream after all. It's amazing how sometimes things just work themselves out if its something you were meant to do.
I remember you talking about changing to paramedics, and always thought you'd be good at it. It's nice that you've found a way to do something similar. Good for you!
And yes, I owe you an email. Bah, life is nuts and crazy (but happy!). Soon, I promise. Soon.
/hugs, Kiy
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