Hangin' at the station

The picture above was taken from a website showing pictures from the Atlanta Photojournalism contest. I can't remember the name of the young lady that took it. The picture shows FF Jimmy Jennings, Lt Gary LaPrad, Capt Riley Peters, and FF Willie Wines Sr from Roanoke City Fire EMS Department in Roanoke City Virginia in front of Fire Station 1.

Recently I was returning in my apparatus from our central service center after much needed repairs when I passed another one of our stations. The station is in one of the worst neighborhoods in the city filled with gangs, violence, and system abusers in an EMS sense. The guys at #9 stay on the go most days. This particular day I noted that all 5 of the guys on duty this day were sitting in front of the house relaxing and talking.

This sight spawned a thought process. How often do we just sit out front and hang out talking about.... whatever. The old days that everyone often tout as so grand are made so by the friendships and fondness for each other that we share. None of us have the time to sit and 'chew the fat' with each other like we used to, but we should make an effort to keep the spirit of brotherhood and the station spirits high.

I think this is an important part of history. After all, the fire service 'Band of Brothers' is a real group and it exists in each and every department and we all need to just relax and hang out.

The national stand down is approaching quickly (June 21) so my challenge is this: Take the day slow and appreciate the break from training and all the other stuff your departments send your way and get the guys together and pull some chairs out in front of the station and just hang out. Watch the cars, the people, the sky, or whatever you want and just chat it up with your station-mates, and watch the bonding taking place before your eyes.