A Firehouse Thanksgiving...

Being a fireman means spending time away from home during the holidays. We are not alone in working the holidays many others like police officers, ambulance workers, Doctors, nurses and military personnel also work holidays. After working a few you get used to it, except for Christmas. This Thanksgiving my platoon worked the daylight shift. It ended up being a busy day running eight calls during our daylight, all oven fires or cooking related.

Starting the Thanksgiving after the September 11, 2001 attacks on US soil a tradition began in the Fire Bureau. The Kesher Israel Congregation began cooking a Thanksgiving meal for the on duty shifts. The congregation shows up shortly before noon to feed the on duty platoon leaving enough food to feed the night shift when they come on at 4:00 p.m.

Part of the contingent is the Rosenberg family. Some of us have gotten to know them and watch their boys grow each year. A few years ago the middle son earned his Eagle Scout and my truck partner and I attended his Eagle court of honor. This year I learned that the youngest son is awaiting his board of review for Eagle. As an Eagle Scout myself I enjoy attending the ceremony, knowing the commitment it takes to earn the rank and plan on attending his court of honor when it takes place. We greatly appreciate the effort the congregation puts forth for us on this day and know that it comes from their hearts.

Part of doing this is seeing the press show up at the firehouse, some of us because we have been around awhile are able to avoid them, but we do not mind sacrificing others for the camera. In the top photo Leon Cliatt (Wagon 3) does an interview from the drivers seat of the tower for channel 21 news. Not wanting this to go unnoticed I had to snap a few photos. The second photo is channel 8 interviewing El Shakkur (Tower 3) about his hot sauce. We have another tradition in the Fire Bureau, when a firefighter gets their photo in the paper or show up on the news they owe a us a beer. I hope to reap the rewards later this month after the local meeting, so bring money guys.