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[Fuji Smurf]

As a Volunteer POC Fireman, I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words. I will share a like story with you guys. Dec 23 2004, my Dept responded to a report of a possible structure fire. I had only been an active member of the Dept for 4 months or so. This was my first BIG call, and I was scared out of my whits lol. (Anyone NOT scared of going into a burning building is fibbing or just plain nuts, but as one of my heros, John Wayne said "Courage is being scared to death but saddleing up anyway") At any rate, I was in the back of the first Engine on the scene. After 15-20 min or so of work, we had to exit the building to resupply our air packs. While I was refilling my air tank, I looked over by the garage as there was a lot of activity going on over there even though the fire was more or less contained to the basement with heavy smoke only on the first and second floors. What I saw still gives me goose bumps as I write this. 5 or 6 of our guys that had arrived on scene but that had not been assigned to a duty crew yet, had grabbed a Lieutenant and forced entry to the rear of the building. These guys were walking out of the homeowners attached garage with ARM FULLS of gifts that they had grabed out from underneith their tree. I remember seeing that and thinking "Ya, that's what its all about". I honestly don't know if I would have thought to do that on that night, but ever since and forever after it is in the back of my mind on all calls that I get to go on. Again, thank YOU for taking the time to say thank you. Everyone have a GREAT AND SAFE Holiday season !!!