Week 1

It was busy for all of us in our household this week. The middle one left for Hilton Head on a youth function with some of her friends on Wednesday. The oldest one is in Costa Rica for 9 days on a mission trip with church. The young one is on the DL with a sore back. He hurt it last week swinging for the bleachers in a tournament game. Mama has been up to her usual 13 hr shifts and endless house chores. Me; I finished my first week of boot camp academy... still alive.

Each day starts out with stretching and a short walk to wake up and get the blood flowing. During the day we had various visits and speeches from members of the KFD as well as Civil Service. I had been through all the new hire stuff, so I was bored to tears most of the day. The visits from fire department staff was more interesting, even compelling at times.

Around 3pm we change into our PT clothes and do our various cleaning duties. After that we have our PT. Mon-Wed-Fri we run. One mile right now, but that will change as we progress. Tue-Thur, we exercise; sit-ups, push-ups, mountain climbers, squats, jumping jacks and the like. After we are completely spent, we run the 6 story tower... twice. It's all well and good, I'm getting paid to exercise and stay healthy,with a personal fitness instructor to boot. And get this, our drill instructor's name... Captain Payne!

At one point last week our head instructor, Captain Dyer asked us to write an essay entitled, "Why I want to be a firefighter". Here was my entry:

The past fourteen months have been filled with many different emotions, conditions and experiences. Since my venture down the road to become a City of Knoxville Fireman, I have asked this question to myself many times; “Why do I want to be a fireman?” I wish I could say I’ve always wanted to be a fireman, but that would not be true. I had entertained thoughts at one time or another of what it would be like, but positions in my old hometown of Olean, NY didn’t open up very often and it was a very small department. Positions that did open were rewarded to applicants who had college degrees. Nevertheless, I envied the friends and acquaintances I had in the OFD.

At first the reason to become a fireman was simple economics. It was a pay raise for me with the possibility of promotion. Working for the city, the more I was exposed to the fire stations and the people who served there, the more the lifestyle grew on me. Other conditions were added to my list; being part of a professional uniform body, the thought of having 20 days off a month, the retirement, the red truck and so on. All these things have driven me to this point in time at the training academy. That is, until the first three days of the academy.

I woke up this morning at 5am in a bit of a panic. I had a dream of being trapped in the maze trailer Captain Dyer showed us yesterday. I couldn’t sleep and in my tossing and turning I woke my wife. I told her about my dream and how real it felt. I told her I was scared not only of the maze trailer, but of many aspects of the academy I would have to endure. The next thing she told me brought me full circle to certain events from the last three days. Allow me to explain.

Chief Pressley showed us the importance of serving the people of the city; our customers. Chief Loveday’s presentation proved the value of life in the random person you encounter, and how that life could be placed in my hands to save. Chief Lawson proved the value of our families in the department and how they need help at times as well. Jeff Kindrick showed us why he would lay down his life for another brother in service. I shared the same sentiments as all those men I had met this week.

This is what my wife Becky told me this morning. She said for as long as she has known me I have always wanted to help people. In church, at work, a stranger on the street, my neighbors… I always want to help anyone in need. She mentioned that in my last position with the city and in my previous jobs elsewhere, I was bound to work orders and task lists which hindered me from doing this freely. This has frustrated me. What better way to fulfill someone’s life desire to help others than to be a fireman? She finished by saying, “You are destined for this career; you are destined to be a firefighter; you are destined to help people.” I finally feel like this is where I was meant to be.

I want to be a firefighter because I want to help people, and like the passionate servants of the Knoxville fire department that spoke to my heart this week, I was destined for this job.

Recruit Stoehr is 10-8

Week off?

Friday was my last day at the service department for the city. I met with a few friends after work at Barleys in the old city. A good time was had by all and of course my good friend and blogger Tenn "mulberry" Jed was in attendance. The gathering was a nice way to end my 21 month tour with the Dyer bunch in Facilities Services.
I had about 60 hours of leave, so I decided to take a week off to prepare myself and meditate on the boot camp fire training starting next Monday. The 26 week training will have some intense moments I'm sure, so a week long "lull in the action" was deemed necessary. A bit of recliner time, and maybe some yard work, oh and I have been wanting to set up that hammock...

Lull in the action my foot!!

Saturday starts with an emergency plumbing repair for a friend. from there to a three game baseball tournament where the 3rd game goes into extra innings and that win set up a championship game for Sunday. First thing Monday, I buzz up to Oak Ridge to borrow an engine stand. The next 12 hours I spent swapping various brackets, pumps, and parts from the old engine to a new long block I had purchased for the 4runner my graduate will be taking to ETSU in the fall.
Today is more of the same, along with a visit to the physical therapist at 10. I expect to get a call to help install a door for another friend shortly after my PT appointment. If all goes well with the installation I will return home and try to finish the engine swap.
Tomorrow; grout in Farragut and install a light fixture downtown.

Thursday; ride along with engine 21, and another visit to PT Harden Valley.

Friday; Hopefully get the 4runner on the road, and get the Jeep ready for sale. At 5pm I'll go to the fire training center to get fitted for turnout gear.

Saturday; Another baseball tournament.

Sunday; Church. Baseball. Mow...

Back in the mid 80's when I first learned my trade. I worked for a guy who was quite a go getter, and would rarely slow down during the work day. When we would ask him if we could take a break, a 10 minute rest. He would respond, "You can rest when you die." As much of a work-a-holic jerk that he was... I think he was right.