It’s been a rough fire season for firefighters. The public
is being reminded that volunteers are always needed and welcomed. There just
weren’t enough trained professionals to go around this year. Thanks to everyone
who saved lives and property this year, even when they had to sacrifice their
own life and belongings to achieve it for others.
Looking at some of the older pictures of firefighters in
Wikimedia Commons reminds me that there are always community-spirited people to
pick up the challenge and protect property and lives. I also got a kick out of seeing
the kids who got into this picture, taken of firefighters in Carson City,
Nevada around 1860. I wanted to be a fireman when I was a kid, although women
weren’t eligible yet.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fights a wildfire in
Oregon in 2013.
Protective clothing prevents burns from sparks as water is
laid down to abolish the chance of flare-ups.
The US Navy dispatched firefighters to a brush fire near
Chania International Airport in Crete, Greece (2008). This man makes it looks
so easy to handle the hose and nozzle. I’ve seen those wicked pieces of
equipment turn into wild snakes spraying water over everyone and everything if
someone other than a professional decides to try it out.
 |
| Photo by El Panters |
There
are monuments to firefighters around the world. This tribute is to firemen who
lost their lives in the mountains near Grazalema, Spain.
Douglas Green took this shot of a Gainesville (Florida)
City Fire Truck in 2005.
During rainy or snowy days when the kids can’t get outside
to play, open up Wikimedia Commons and let them scroll through the thousands of
pictures of fire trucks, It’ll keep them entertained and either satisfy or
inspire their inner firefighter.
