Via my roommate, Brette, I have become friends with a couple of the firemen on the island. These are probably some of the most bored firemen on the planet, as there hasn't been a fire on the island since 2004 and they started that one. The only time they actually do work is every to every other Friday night when the supply plane comes. Then they have three jobs: clear the runway of birds, escort the plane over to the hanger, and be on standby while the plane is refueling, just in case there is a fire.
Because we are now friends with the fire crew, Brette and I got to ride in the fire truck last night when the plane was arriving. Despite coming from a family with multiple firefighters, this is the first time i can ever remember riding in the truck. The truck is awesome: infrared camera, tons of buttons, and I’ve been invited back to play with the hoses (we couldn't last night, in case they needed them). It was really cool watching the plane land from the front row.
It was a pretty smooth operation (and one might even say boring had we not been in the truck) until right before the plane took off, when there was an emergency medevac announced over the radio. (I know this because i was in the truck). Somebody was injured or ill... the plane had to come back. (Insert dramatic music here.)
The best part was all the chatter... who is injured? what happened? could it be so-and-so? It turned out was Mohammed, a short term, who was here teaching an asbestossafety course... he had chest pains. Ultimately very minor chest pains as he will be back on Sunday. But the drama was excellent and I can't wait to hear his side of the story.
Then Brette and I and Fireman Dave all got back in the truck to watch the plane take off. It was beautiful.
On a slightly different, but not completely unrelated note, my new friends and one week volunteers, Natalie, Mary, and Eamon also left on that flight. I hope you guys made it safely back to Honolulu and that our paths will cross again soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment