I would often sit in the back of the ambulance when a job was done and simply let things settle. Tension takes time to leave a space where a life and death struggle has happened, and the confined space of an ALS vehicle doesn’t have a lot of room for the air to clear. Much […]

I had the opportunity to talk about my book, Mr. Wilson Makes it Home at a book club last week. One of the people there asked about PTSD, and if I had been officially diagnosed. That’s a tough one. Over the years I’ve participated in a number of Post Incident Stress Debriefings, and sought individual […]

House fire, reports of a man trapped in the basement. Thick, black smoke with wisps of yellow pouring from the basement windows. A darkened door, firefighters putting on their masks then disappearing into the ink. More firefighters arrive, another attack crew follows the charged line through the front door, radios clacking, sirens in the distance […]

“What did he stab you with?” “What does that matter?” “It matters a lot.” “He stabbed me, just stop the bleeding.” “Did you see the knife?” “What is this! I told you it don’t matter.” “Actually, it does matter. In a minute, tops, your left lung is going to collapse, your chest cavity is filling […]

Michael Morse The fire station is our home away from home, and we like to make it as comfortable as possible without actually spending any money. We put a couple of bucks into a fund every week, and when we get enough money, we upgrade. There is usually a vote, and everything is orderly; three […]

My best friend from the Providence RI Fire Department’s 42nd Academy raised a great next generation firefighter.  Not sure which impressed me more with her Instagram post that I hijacked for this post; the original gesture or her reaction.  Well Done Tay Brown, and the person who expressed their appreciation.  Rest easy Providence, you are […]