Firemen's Thanksgiving Potluck

Sam's training as volunteer fireman over the last several months has added an exciting dimension to our lives!

Again and again the alert will come on his phone and he will leap through the house, jumping a few steps at a time down to his room to grab his fireman's gear, and rush off with a great roar in his truck!

Saturday evening a week ago there was a Thanksgiving potluck at the fire station for all volunteer firemen and their families.

Sam said his name was with the group who were to bring sides for the meal, so we took our home frozen corn in a crockpot, buttered carrots, and added a pumpkin roll.

This fabulously delicious smoked, grilled turkey had been provided by Rudy's from town.

Someone had brought these yummy shrimps and pepperoni-wrapped cheese sticks.

Since Sam was one of the rookies, he gets called on to help with setting up tables if there aren't enough--which there weren't, especially after our family arrived! :) :)

Another young fireman was holding their very new baby, who of course, when he woke up, became almost instantly center of attention with the ladies there!

Over on the wall, we noticed the blackboard with numbers, names, and letters.

Sam explained that the numbers were the numbers of which fire truck each fireman was to ride in if there were any calls that night, and the letters gave direction as to who was to sit in which seat!

That way, each fireman knows EXACTLY which vehicle he is to go in, and even which seat he is to sit in! No last minute arguments about who is going to drive or otherwise!!

I think I should have a board up in our house, telling each person who is to sit where in the van! :)

A few weeks earlier, I had taken a quick look at the fireman's training notebook that Sam had on the table.

On the front was this touching poem, "The Firefighter's Prayer."

I took a look at the lists of duties he has to perform and training he has to fulfill before he gets to turn in his rookie yellow coat for another color.
I noticed at least two classes in how to use a chain saw, and I was glad that he already knew how to operate one, so hopefully that would not be hard for him. An officer has to sign off on each of these training sessions for Sam.

Toward the end of the notebook was a page titled "13 Things You Can Do to Kill a Volunteer Fire Company."
I thought how these things could kill most anything.

1. Don't attend training or meetings, but if you do, arrive late.
3. When at a business meeting, vote yes to everything and then do nothing to help. 4. The next day...
find fault with your board of directors. 5. Take no part in volunteer company business. 6. Do not pay attention at training. Stay in the back and talk to another member.
7. Show up for the fires, but nothing else.
8. Talk cooperation. Don't cooperate.

9.If you are asked to help, always say you are too busy.
10. Never read anything pertaining to the organization or the fire service. You  might learn too much.
11. Never accept an office; it is much easier to criticize than to actually do anything.

13. Don't do anything more than the bare minimum. Then when others unselfishly use their ability to help the cause scream and yell that they are just part of a clique.
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Then here below is another page of wise advice to new trainees. I was especially impressed with the last two, thinking of not only fireman training, but anything in life:

"Lead by example."
"Don't try to force acceptance."
And---"Leave your ego at the door.

Don't think, 'Been there, done that.' Celebrations are short lived. You (and your crew) are only as good as this time around. Don't become overconfident or cocky because you had a fire on your first call...Remember there is a lot to learn in this business and about the time you think you know everything is the time you should consider another occupation.