My neighbor power washes his uniform and equipment. I’ve seen him by the side of his house. I asked him, “How often do you need to do that?”
“After most fires,” he answered. He went on to explain how his employer couldn’t afford to clean his gear. “I hit it with the hose,” he said, “as often as possible. Knock off the asbestos and whatever hazardous building materials are on it.”
***
I had my roof re-shingled this summer. My wife paid before the job was finished. The roofers had promised to paint the fireplace chimney to match our new shingles. I said to my wife, “How do you know they’ll return to finish the job?”
“They’re Detroit Firemen,” she answered.
We waited for approximately two months … but with good reason: The roofers were busy with hospital visits. Their coworker and fellow side-job man, a 31 year old fireman, suffered paralysis from the waist down when a building collapsed on him. He hadn’t entered the burning storefront; it simply fell on him as he stood on the sidewalk.
***
The fireplace chimney did get painted. I pulled into my driveway and saw one fireman standing on the roof spray-painting the metal flashing. He waved and I waved back. His ladder blocked my garage door and I thought about moving it so I could hitch my boat to my car. I only had a few good hours of fishing before darkness arrived. I decided it wouldn’t hurt for me to wait. A few minutes later he climbed down and said, “You’re all set.” I thanked him.
***
My neighbor gave me an update on his coworker’s status. He said they were raising money to help his family. “It’s the little things,” he said, “like the loss of income from his side-jobs, or who will cut his grass or shovel his snow.”
I agreed. I bought a tee-shirt. It’s the least I could do.
16 comments:
Where do you buy the shirt Jim?
That's rather sad. they don't even wash the uniforms for the guys?
That is so sad. I'm sorry to hear about the fire fighter's paralysis.
Hey there Walking Man, the next time I see my neighbor I'll ask him. I believe they had a fundraiser at the Roostertail this weekend.
Hey Charles, some fire departments include it in their budget, but not Detroit.
C, it's been awhile. Nice to hear from you.
At least they came back to finish the work. When I was getting my house constructed, the painter, and the men who were laying the marble flooring ran away with the advance payment! Later, I came to know that the flooring ppl are famous for doing that!
Also the carpenter made me buy twice the amount of hinges and bolts than that were needed, since he got a fat commission from the hardware shop, and so did the electrician, who later stole four bales of 100 feet wiring and about two dozen switches.
Mona, I'm really enjoying "Shantaram." It's giving me a better understanding of India as well as the art of the hustle. I can't thank you enough for introducing me to it.
See if there is a link to a website, I would like to purchase a t-shirt to help raise money. Those guys do so much.
:) you are welcome JR. Its really an amazing true story. I wonder if you know that the Indian police destroyed the manuscript twice, before it could finally be written in the third attempt. Some admirable persistence that!
My neighbor power washes his uniform and equipment. I’ve seen him by the side of his house. I asked him, “How often do you need to do that?”
“After most fires,” he answered. He went on to explain how his employer couldn’t afford to clean his gear. “I hit it with the hose,” he said, “as often as possible. Knock off the asbestos and whatever hazardous building materials are on it.”
That is so so wrong in so many ways.
We need a world riot to set our political leaders straight.
We need to tell them forcefully via riots that WE run the show and THEY do what WE say.
What a bloody world.
As always, thank you for sharing. I can't say enough about firefighters adn what they do for the little pay they get. I've not met one who wouldn't go out of their way to help someone in need.
JR-a dear friend of mine is the captain of that very squad and was with us on vacation in August just after the fire. We are kept up on all the progress of the men and will also be supporting the effort.
Firemen here make a good middleclass income.
No need for moonlighting.
Some years ago, there were the oddest jobs...Fahrenheit 451 situations, where not books, but poor old bookwriter Ivan almost got burned. Jesus. I'll never run for office here in the boonies perched atop Toronto.
She was a hot Palookis!
Were they trying to burn a witch?
Warlock?
Creaky old firetruck finally squeaked in. No siren....Almost no Ivan.
I have to agree with Four Dinners, but fear the replacements would be no better. Just experienced this in Michigan where our current legislators both in Senate and House have kept a 38% pay raise, elected to keep their O$ copay, O$ deductable, 0$ premium for life health, vision, and dental benefits. They will retire with full salary after serving only two terms. Imposing just the opposite on state work force. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." The priorities are skewed, JR if you find out where the T shirts can be bought at please post. My heart goes out to the families. Huck
Hey Jim, good stuff. Worthy of a Paul Harvey award! I'll pitch in with a t-shirt. I keep hearing ads for Paralyzed Veterans and need to get on that donation wagon, too.
I have a lot of respect for firefighters (even before 9/11.) I can't imagine running towards and even into the fire, particularly when instinct to get away is so strong. I always keep good thoughts for the firefighters.
Ivan, Detroit Firefighters make a good middleclass living as well. Most don't moonlight because they need the extra money. But they tend to be talented in other areas that they can also profit from. Their schedules permit enough down time to do something "normal" and less dangerous.
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