The weatherman was finally right on Monday February 16, 2015 when they were calling for a considerable amount of snow to fall in the Southern Maryland area. Both of our stations were making arrangements to see just what kind of crews they would have. It was determined that both stations would have enough for two crews a piece. We knew it would just be a matter of time and sure enough the snow started falling in the early evening. As it was a holiday we were not having any drill but you know how guys are around a firehouse when they think there is bad weather coming and we could see that we were going to have a pretty good turnout for the evening. Heck even I was going to try sleeping in after many years staying at home. With my wife’s blessing she packed my bag and I was just like a little kid. Could not wait to get to the station in California when I got there I saw there was going to be plenty of company for the night.

First off we wanted to decide about buying provisions for all the guys for dinner and breakfast. It was snowing pretty hard by this time so our Treasure Bruce Theden took up an order and headed out to the grocery store. The guys who were not regulars started picking their bed to sleep in and when they were finished all the beds were taken so I claimed one of the recliners in the lounge. The calls started coming in right when they had dinner ready but firemen are used to having their meals interrupted so it was nothing to gear up and I was left behind to keep the food hot for when they returned.

Now let me tell you something. We sat up watching old John Wayne movies until about 0130 then it was off to bed. Not to remain there for long. I had just dozed off when that klaxon went off and that thing would raise the dead. Why does it have to be so loud? That thing would cause you to have a heart attack. I would think a smoke alarm would be loud enough but I’m over ruled cause the officers who tell me it needs to be that loud to wake them up.

So after a sleepless night I realized that this all night stuff was not for me. As they say firefighting is a young man’s game and I had to find out the hard way. I’m pretty sure my wife knew this was going to happen and wanted to teach me a lesson. Lesson learned….Nothing like home sweet home.

I just want to hand it to our members and I’m sure you that read this would feel the same way but a big THANKS to the guys and gals who man the fire trucks during bad weather in not only our firehouse but every firehouse in the county and the rescue squad people. If you need them they want to be able to get to your home as fast as possible.

So when you see one of these gentlemen or ladies give them a hug or a pat on the back. It would mean alot to these unsung heroes. I took a few pictures and most were up at the California station because I wouldn’t drive down to the Lexington Park station but you can rest assured the same pictures would apply to my brothers and sisters in the Park. Heck maybe next time they would let me sleep down there snoring and all.

As a side note we had a little going away party for one of our firefighters Nathan Lindgren who left us on Sunday before the snow storm. We all wish him well on his journey in the United States Air Force.