一个n engine company was returning to quarters when it was flagged down by the police in the parking lot of a supermarket. The police had discovered a dog left in a locked car, and the dog was visibly distressed in the hot weather. The fire department was concerned for the dog’s welfare but knew that forcing entry to the car would have serious repercussions. One smart engine company member decided to use water from the 500-gallon pumper to cool down the roof of the car, which in turn lowered the temperature inside the car. Sure enough, the dog began to look more comfortable. When the owner came out of the store, he was surprised to find the police, the fire department, and a summons waiting for him at his car.
The Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department received three “E-Z Pass” toll violations in the mail for its fire department vehicles. Apparently, while working a big fire in a cold storage warehouse that virtually closed the Holland Tunnel (which connects New Jersey to New York City) for days, some fire department vehicles went through the discount toll booths for closer placement during fire operations-without paying the toll. The department is appealing the fines.
Two California firefighters were searching a very smoky garage during an adjacent kitchen fire. Apparently, the homeowners told the incident commander that there were some birds in the garage, and the two firefighters were assigned the search. One heard the bird squawking and shortly thereafter found the cage. Just as they got to the cage, the bird squawked one last time and keeled over. He was lying, looking pitiful, in the corner of his cage with his wings spread out. The firefighters moved the cage out to the driveway. One reached in, grabbed the bird, and did a few birdie chest compressions. Another firefighter brought out the medical bag, and the first held a high-flow oxygen mask over the bird’s beak and did more compressions. A few minutes passed, and the bird didn’t move. The other firefighters began to tease the first one, asking how he planned to intubate the bird and so forth. Much to everyone’s surprise, the bird started moving around. He gradually regained birdie consciousness to the point where he was struggling to get free. He then expressed his thanks by biting his rescuer’s finger. The firefighter put the bird back into his cage and there he sat, a little wobbly but alive and breathing on his own. The firefighters found out later that the bird was doing fine and was expected to make a full recovery. For the effort, the rescuer was rewarded with a new but thankfully temporary nickname: Parrot-medic!
Firefighters and representatives of fire service organizations were among those invited to attend a July 26 morning meeting at the White House at which President George W. Bush addressed the issue of homeland security. A good friend of the Fire Yenta, and one of the invitees who is well known in the fire service, relates this story: “While I was standing behind the President, my pager went off. Fortunately, it was set on ‘VIBRATE.’ Then my cell phone started vibrating. Then, about halfway through the ceremony, my nose started itching. What to do? I rubbed it on national television [the ceremony was televised live on C-Span and other networks]. I also grabbed my earlobe to say ‘Hi’ to my wife!” And to think, I had asked him if he made rabbit ears when he was standing behind the President! I wasn’t too far off!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to John “Skip” Coleman, deputy chief of fire prevention for the Toledo (OH) Department of Fire and Rescue. The hardest part will be taking it easy for 4-6 weeks!
If you have a tidbit for the Fire Yenta, e-maildianef@pennwell.com.
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