any other firefighters/emts?

[x0xsaywhutx0x]

Just curious if there are any other firefighters or emts here. Where from, rank,good stories, what kind of training, foods you make for your department, etc.
I have been part of Blasdell Volunteer Fire Department just a couple miles south of Buffalo for just about 2 years. Our department has an ambulance and 3 engines, one of which is from 1972 and still in service. I am a basic emt and interior firefighter and have training in evoc, firefighter 1, rescue tech basic, fire officer 1, and will soon be a pump operator.

 

[shoebe]

26 years mostly in Corvallis Oregon, with 6 years  Chief in Silverton Oregon. Spent 11 years on the on call Haz Mat team, 7 years as a day  off  ambulance driver and 3 years as a Shift Commander (BC). Started as a Volunteer and moved to the paid staff. I have an AS in Fire Science and  have attended the National Fire Academy 3 times (Haz Mat).EMT intermediate (IV's and some drugs). After  the Fire  Service, I did 11 years in emergency management for State Public Health( talk about a different world). Retired Nov. 2013, I do miss the crews, it  was lots of fun.  The only time we really cooked together was during the holidays or the super bowl. We always had some BBQ parties during the summer, but most of us  just grilled dogs and burgers. We did try a whole pig in a pit once,  turn out very good, but it was a lot of work. 

 

 

[x0xsaywhutx0x]

Im looking forward to the next 30 years or so of doing firefighting, hopefully i can get into paid firefighting.
We do a couple picnics a year for our members and family on holidays, football games etc. Nothing major just some hot dogs, sausages, and burgers on the grill and whatever people bring from home. Maybe bring the tv down to firemans field and watch the game outside. Our village is very close knit so we also help out in village functions year round for the kids and families. Im going to try and convince the village and department to do something like a whole hog roast or some kind of barbecue for the village. Food is the best thing to bring people together.