[thechat] emergency services

Seb seb at members.evolt.org
Fri Dec 14 19:34:42 CST 2001


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So, it's now 1am, and I've just got back into my flat.

About an hour ago, I was writing some code, and there was a load of 
shouting in the street outside my flat. I live between 2 really popular 
pubs, so I kinda guessed that it was general rowdiness.

Then I saw light in the street that really shouldn't have been there. Lots 
of yellow and orange light. I'm just getting off my ass, and I can hear 
sirens. Then there's more light, and it's blue and flashing.

I got into the street just as three fire engines and some paramedics 
arrived. A glance to the right shows a house a few doors down on fire. Not 
just flames visible, but properly on fire, with billowing smoke and 
radiating heat down the road kinda on fire.

About a dozen firemen get out, and within seconds (literally the time it 
took me to write this sentence) there are hoses on the building and guys in 
breathing apparatus have smashed the door down and are carrying people out.

There are people standing in the street in nightgowns, in minus the minus 
five degree night, and the firemen are handing out space blankets (which 
until now I've just regarded as cool things to wear at the messy end of an 
all-night outdoor party) and these guys are just really calm and organised. 
They're totally getting it on like this was the moment they were born for.

So, the fire was out in about twenty minutes. I stayed and watched, 
completely aware of my own inability to do anything remotely helpful. Now, 
I'm a fairly good person in a crisis having survived a few, but this was 
something totally real. There are people that live in those buildings who 
would be very dead right now if it weren't for the guys who just walked 
straight into that fire.

An hour after the whole thing began, and equipment is being packed away, 
all but one of the fire engines is gone, and I'm just finishing chatting to 
Mike, who seems to be in his mid twenties. He's been running into burning 
buildings for six years, which is the same amount of time I've been coding 
professionally. He was the first into my neighbour's house tonight.

I'm still sitting here on the floor, still in my coat, knowing I need to 
sleep, just thinking about Mike and the difference he's made to so many lives.

Here's wishing him luck.

Seb.


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