April 5 - “but his legs were just hanging out the back!”

When Chris and Sam left for Texas yesterday, Chris texted and suggested that I make a fire station visit. She always has the best ideas, so I garbed up and decided to visit Central Downtown. The chief hasn’t been there the last four times I have visited, and yesterday was no different. Meetings, meetings, meetings. 

As it turned out, just about every on-duty fire fighter was there. They had just completed an active shooter drill. They were also loading up equipment to take over to station four for the practice agility test that happens later today (The real test is coming up on the 19th). 

Among the equipment was the full size 200 pound dummy used for the emergency rescue drag. And I gotta say … I was more than entertained by their attempts to dress the guy in bunker gear. Poor guy’s shoulder had to have been completely twisted out of socket. Made me think of Nathan and his recent shoulder surgery. After numerous aborted attempts and a final restart from scratch to twist the arm back into socket (ouch), they got the gear on. 

They dragged him to the pickup truck for transport. But by the time they got there, the pants promptly fell down. Finally, with five of them working together feverishly, some expertly applied duct tape served as a much-needed belt. And since the tape was right there, they strapped on the boots as well. Ingenious, if you ask me. 

But it gets better. When the dude was finally fully attired, and after I got some photos, they tossed him into the back of the pickup truck. Except … his legs were still hanging out over the rear of the truck. As far as I know they left it that way for the drive to station four. Oh, the phone calls the department could receive. I can hear them now … “but his legs were just hanging out the back! And one was twisted at such an odd angle. What was wrong with him?”

Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭ says, Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Father, please be with the potential recruits who will be trying out the course today and then doing the actual agility test on the 19th.