The Fourth of July, Fireworks and Firetrucks

   

 I love fireworks. This year I went to the fireworks with a fireman in a firetruck. Some want a knight in shining armor, not me,      
 I want the Big Red Truck.  This was the first time in 10 years that I got to ride in the fire truck.  I know why the children of the firemen love riding  in firetrucks now. You are way up and it feels like a giant rocking horse. 

     There have to be two firemen at the station at all times day and night.

Some of the shifts are 24 hours on, 24 hours off week in week out irregardless of holidays. The station is manned by at least 3 shifts that follow the 24 hour shift and a regular work week. Firemen are required to attend training sessions once a month, attend weekly drills and take courses yearly to update their training and participate in at least 80% of all calls. The ranks of the regular salaried employees are supplemented by a core of dedicated volunteers that take the same kind of training courses.
     Even though my county is very small, there are some major manufacturing sites like the Hartsville Oil Company and Nucor. Several years ago the Hartsville Oil Co which process peanuts for peanut oil caught on fire.     

   After ten days of 24 hour vigilance and effort, the fires finally stopped erupting and the fire was out. The Fire Department saved a multi-million dollar operation.

The Fire company is very family oriented. Even the Annual Fire - Rescue Conference at Myrtle Beach stresses this very important precept of family should be first. The classes are over early in the afternoon and activities for the afternoon include events that the children and wives can attend like the Fire Fighters' Competitions.  Here is a link for free fire fighter games I tried playing and my airplane sunk in the water.
     The Fire Departments are also on call to neighboring counties. When the fires engulfed the wooded areas on the Grand Strand, Fire companies from all over the state sent 2 men on a daily basis to help. This is the creed of the Firemen, the brotherhood of family.
    This July 4th, I spent in the company of the Fire Department who were on call at the local country club to monitor the dried drought stricken wooded areas around where the fire works were being displayed.
Besides the regular employees, there were several volunteers there as well as employees who were not on the regular schedule.

   

   This is Earl B.  who continues to make every fire and has been a working fireman for over 5O years. Mike's daughter-in Law is married to fireman and has gone on many rescues with the local Rescue Squad. She is the one I would want to help me in a crisis.

   

Mike and Pat are discussing what needs to be done to protect the city and surrounding areas from the grass fires that are starting from the fireworks.    

 Mike is Pat's Father and actually the third generation of fire fighters, Mike's grandson has just started as a volunteer fireman in addition to his regular job.

    At about dark we went over several firetrucks and cars filled with kids, wives and friends to watch the fireworks.

We had about 6 boys of all ages watching the fireworks.

The Country Club was playing Patriotic Music during the display. One of the selections was Kate Smith singing God Bless America .  Kate Smith enjoyed a second career late in life as the singing mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers. The video is of Kate Smith singing the Anthem at the Stanly Cup Hockey game vs. the Canadians in 1976. Whenever there was a super important game, Kate Smith showed up and personally sang and everyone knew the Flyers would win.  It was a simpler time in those days where playing a National Anthem would win the day.

I really love fireworks and this was a special evening for me.

This was the picture of the fireworks that a friend sent me. At over $400.00 they must have had a big time.  How was your 4th, what memories did it invoke for you?

I would love it if you left a comment. To leave a comment find the small blue word below comment or the words post a comment and click on it. A page will open up where you can leave a comment