You’re on the roof of a 2 flat, chopping through layers of shingles to vent the fire so your guys inside don‘t take a beating. You pound, and pound, and pound again until a good sized opening forms. It spews thick rancid heat like smokestacks of factories in the days before pollution control.
As you straddle the peak of the roof you feel heat on your backside, then hear the welcomed sound of water hit the attic ceiling below. Now you can relax. You wait for word that nothing more is needed from the roof crew, before you go down.
Looking through the murky smoke surrounding the neighborhood, a beautiful sunrise is ushering in a new day. The haze and vibrant colors combine into a surreal scene. More Salvador Dali than real life.
It’s as if you’ve received a secret bonus for being willing to do the job you do. Perched high above the rest of the world, this unobstructed view gives you a perspective few have had. You are filled with hope that the day to come will be as spectacular as it‘s beginning. No need for words, just tap your partners arm and point. They understand.
When you’re back at quarters having that first cup of coffee, the oncoming shift arrives. They walk into a wall of fresh smoke carried home with the crew’s bunker gear.
“Had another one again this morning?”
“Yup. Another 7th Battalion sunrise”
Question: Have you experienced a sight that few people ever have? Tell us about it by leaving a comment.
Thomas Anderson on March 21, 2013 at 10:43 AM said:
I’m sure it’s not as often as our Detroit brothers, but we do have what we call the Glorious Lake Dallas Sunrise. We are one of the busiest little dept’s in our county(30 miles north of Dallas, Tx) and there is a bridge that goes between our district to our second in district over Lake Lewisville. There have been many mornings where you drive over that 2mile bridge and someone always says “It’s been another night in The L.D.(Lake Dallas, Tx) Look at that glorious Lake Dallas Sunrise”. And for whatever reason knowing you just came back from a job smelling like smoke and sh*t, you can’t have any other feeling besides a little love for it.
The oncoming crew always asks y’all been up all night boys? Like they have no idea, LOL! And was it a good one or a bunch of Bull Sh*t? And we all laugh and give an answer along with our pass on, enjoy a cup of coffee with our brothers and scoot out the back door to home. You will never forget those moments, they are always accompanied with smiles, laughs, jokes and all around good company.
That’s our Glorious Lake Dallas Sunrise.
Sam Vazquez on March 21, 2013 at 2:08 PM said:
” I LOVE MY LIFE ” the only response that matters.
DFDLegacy on March 22, 2013 at 7:25 AM said:
Thanks Sam for another classic Detroit Firefighter saying!
Fred Anderson on April 11, 2013 at 8:29 PM said:
I,have . I have. I hope I never forget.
Fred
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Mike on September 20, 2013 at 9:31 AM said:
I DO! It was a great experience as a suburban firefighter riding with the Detroit Fire Department and 1, 993 ride-a-long hours from 1990 – 2002. I remember even on the Eastside, I think maybe Engine 50 had a t-shirt “House of the Rising Sun” with a firefighter pictured on a roof with the fireball behind the firefighter as the rising sun. Cool stuff. It was great to experience so many different firefighters and firehouses.
I DO! It was a great experience as a suburban firefighter riding with the Detroit Fire Department and 1, 993 ride-a-long hours from 1990 – 2002. I remember even on the Eastside, I think maybe Engine 50 had a t-shirt “House of the Rising Sun” with a firefighter pictured on a roof with the fireball behind the firefighter as the rising sun. Cool stuff. It was great to experience so many different firefighters and firehouses.
I,have . I have. I hope I never forget.
fred,
” I LOVE MY LIFE ” the only response that matters.
Another classic 7th Battalion phrase!
I’m sure it’s not as often as our Detroit brothers, but we do have what we call the Glorious Lake Dallas Sunrise. We are one of the busiest little dept’s in our county(30 miles north of Dallas, Tx) and there is a bridge that goes between our district to our second in district over Lake Lewisville. There have been many mornings where you drive over that 2mile bridge and someone always says “It’s been another night in The L.D.(Lake Dallas, Tx) Look at that glorious Lake Dallas Sunrise”. And for whatever reason knowing you just came back from a job smelling like smoke and sh*t, you can’t have any other feeling besides a little love for it.
The oncoming crew always asks y’all been up all night boys? Like they have no idea, LOL! And was it a good one or a bunch of Bull Sh*t? And we all laugh and give an answer along with our pass on, enjoy a cup of coffee with our brothers and scoot out the back door to home. You will never forget those moments, they are always accompanied with smiles, laughs, jokes and all around good company.
That’s our Glorious Lake Dallas Sunrise.