Derecho, Shorts in Summer, and Generators

This is going to be a short post. I have tried to sit down and write some of these thoughts over the past week but have been too busy to get it done.

Here they are in no particular order…

Shorts

Are you allowed wearing shorts on the job? We are not. The only time we can wear shorts is when we are working out. You would be amazed at the number of guys who think that sitting in front of the tv is working out! I don’t blame them though, I get in shorts when I can. Basically, when we leave the station we either need to have our pants on or our night pants on (turnout pants).

This past cycle we are out there killing ourselves in 100 degree heat. Compound that with running all day long during and after these storms. It is hot out there. I don’t see why our department can’t wave the wand on shorts. I would be fine if they said it had to be 80 degrees+ to wear them. I am talking about nice looking uniform shorts.

You have got to stay hydrated no matter what you are wearing.

Derecho

My station after Jericho came through town.

What the hell is this derecho?

Am I the only one who seems to think that meteorologists came up with this name on Saturday, the day after the storm? I don’t know of many who had any idea we were about to get hit with that storm.

Why didn’t I learn about that in school…Today class, we are going to learn about hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, and derechos.

Apparently there was one in Chicago last year that paled in comparison to this one.

The ole trusty generator!

Generators

Fire Critic Headquarters is running on generator power. We lost power initially when Jericho came through town, but got it back after about 20 hours. Then the storm on Tuesday night (tiny little localized storm that had wind and rain) knocked out power for our neighborhood. The cool A/C and power we had enjoyed was gone. Yesterday, we went out and got a generator. I figured that once we purchased it the power would come on. I was wrong. We are rolling with the generator power and enjoying at least a little bit of fun with the tv and fridge powered as well as some fans.

July 4th

Due to the whole generator power thing we didn’t have a great July 4th. We made it work, but it could have been better. We did pick up some fireworks and enjoyed putting them off in the street.

Captains Off

By the way, I figured out why Jericho came through town. Because my Captain is off. Whenever he is off and I am riding the seat the shit hits the fan. This time is no different. One more cycle  and he will be back.

What the hell is a City unit doing out here. Rumor is that we were visiting the Wines Farm.

Baltimore

If you are heading to Baltimore for Firehouse Expo, you will not want to miss the FOOLS Brotherhood Bash. Check out the web site here or on Facebook here. You think you can beat Willie and I at Cornhole? We are three time State Champs…you got what it takes? Sign up if you have the nuts!

To the Rescue

Here is a must read from Willie over at IronFiremen.com. Check it out!

The parting shot is of our brand new Ladder 1. We hit a car with it apparently.