Captain's Log

This is the start of a new era... the happenings of Group 1 in the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department, located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I will try to keep this log as up to date as possible, from this day on, until either (1) I retire, (2) I quit or am fired, or (3) I lose interest. Also, to protect the privacy of those citizens we encounter, no names or addresses will be used here.

It has often been said that because of the nature of a firefighters job and those events in which he/she are exposed to, a good book could be written. The intentions of this blog will be that... a way in which people may come to understand our job and the encounters in which we face on a daily basis.

Some of these incidents are rewarding... some of them are not. Sometimes we laugh... sometimes we cry. But, on any given day we can say this... we are human, and as such we do the best with what god has given us. We serve because we care... we care about each other and we care about you.

Group 1 has 13 men and 1 woman assigned to it. As the Captain of this Group, it could be said (ok... it has been said) that, well... I don't do a lot. I try to keep things simple in life, living under the rule of simple job, simple mind. My role is to protect those assigned under me first, and then expand that role outward towards our community. Don't be confused by this. We are firefighters and we are willing to put ourselves at risk to save you. Why, I am not sure, but either you do this or you don't... its fight or flight. But, if we do not take care of ourselves first, how can we take care of you?

Besides watching out for our Groups best interests, my job also includes the normal stuff... doing reports, enforcing fire codes, and the other day to day things a pencil pusher will do. I can still swing a mean mop if I have to, although I am at risk of pulling a hammy at any time... so I usually try to leave that to the younger Jakes.

The best part of my job is that basically I have the latitude to do what I want. Yes, it is true that this once included bringing my Engine Company down to the Heights Beach in the middle of July one year to hand out 911 stickers... and when we got a hit, we lost a firefighter on the crowded beach. Never fear though, the alarm was answered without delay... we were just one guy short for that incident. The firefighter? Oh, yes... as I mentioned we look after each other in the fire service, so no worries, we returned to pick him up a half hour later.

As I continue to deliver my wisdom and own insight, please understand a few things. First and foremost, humor is medicine. It will never be the intention to hurt or embarrass anyone. After serving for over 20 years and still counting, for me medicine does not come only through a pill or a bottle. Realize that we live a life of absolute abnormality. We are always responding to a plea for help after the incident has occurred, therefor we are already at a disadvantage. We have to laugh at ourselves and the position's in which we have put ourselves in because of the profession in which we have chosen... its not your fault, it's ours.

Second, we are a Department of well trained professionals. All of our members are at the minimum basic EMT trained, and about half of us are trained to the Paramedic level. All of us have been through the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (one of which I know was there when the Academy burnt down... no lie) and many of us have Fire Science degrees, as well as other certificates. That being said, I can remember being a young Lieutenant at a structure fire and having to ask a 30 year man why he was pumping to himself (he hooked his discharge up to his intake on the other side of the truck). As I said, we are all human and the good thing was that we knew he would never run out of water...

Third, I love my job. I love the people I work with, and the opportunity in which they have given me to succeed in this life. My job has allowed me to experience such things as delivering babies, understand the real meaning of team and teamwork, face the fear of not only walking into the darkness and heat of flames but also to face the fear of dying myself. Most of all... I have learned how to appreciate life. My job has allowed me to not only be an integral part of my family, but to also be involved in others.

So, I hope this helps you understand what we do. Moreso, I hope you can learn a little and laugh a lot.