http://www.firehouse.com/news/10924113/families-wait-but-know-last-alarms-answered-in-west-texas
"Among the missing and presumed dead are five volunteer firefighters, four EMS personnel and a Dallas Fire-Rescue captain."
So heartbreaking. There are just no words. This could happen here, in the middle of the night, and I would stumble out of bed and accompany Mr. Swamp to a call such as this because we are both first responders.. No doubt my BIL and SIL (also first responders) would be there as well, and so many dear people that we work with such as the EMTs. )
And then to think that all of those people would just be gone in a second is heartbreaking.
The thing is that first responders (firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, police ) know each other, they get to know the faces they usually see on scenes who are from different departments and they will be the first to volunteer if they happen upon a scene. You keep seeing the same faces, you get to know people, faces, names. You meet in many classes that first responders take. You get to know each other. You might not even know them that well some but have that connection. You feel stronger knowing that there are so many like-minded people, all there to help when people need it the most, whatever that may entail.
They are an amazing, diverse group of people, each with different strengths and talents, which is great because never know what you will be dealing with. They are people who can get stuff done, who deal with unimaginable situations with patience and humor.
I think of all the times I have heard the pager go off, raced Mr. Swamp to see who can get dressed first, run to the truck, go flying down the driveway, get to the firehouse, hop in the firetruck and race to the scene, often not even really know quite what we are responding to, whether it will turn out to be nothing much (as it usually is, thank God) or something more.
But My God, this is unimaginable. I can imagine the scene with them showing up, greeting each other, seeing who is there, assessing the scene, and jumping right in the mix…….. And then in one second, one huge flash, they are no more.
I grieve for their families. I lost a fiancé who was a firefighter although he did not die on duty. He died suddenly and unexpectedly and my whole world crumbled in an instant. I know there are spouses, children, parents, siblings and friends who are going through what I went through and it breaks my heart. Honestly,and I have told Mr. Swamp so, though he says I am silly to say such things), when he goes, I hope I am with him. I never want to go thru that pain again, dealing with such loss and grief. My heart just hurts thinking of those families tonight, those wives and children and loved ones.
I'm home tonight with Mr Swamp and he loves to naggravate (nag + aggravate) me. He was doing it tonight, fussing over stupid stuff (slightly stale tacos and no tomatoes). All I could do was smile and say "I love you" and hug him. There isn't much he could have done that would have made me mad because i know how blessed i am to have him still here on this earth naggravating me.
