Well, I never thought I’d see the day. The Grapevine magazine has morphed into an album of pictures. It’s become sort of like a scrap book, but different. Other than an article from Battalion 10, the April issue was again void of any Battalion articles. Cell phones, with their picture takin’ abilities have now replaced the pen. Did you ever think cell phones would replace the mighty pen? Now, instead of readin’ about humorous blunders or engine house activities, we get to look at endless pages of pictures showin’ Department members squirtin’ water from ladder pipes and hand held lines. I remember bein’ kidded about lookin’ at books with only pictures.
A few years ago there weren’t as many pictures, because fireman were busy makin’ an INTERIOR attack on structure fires. No photo opportunities there and it’s obviously not nearly as excitin’ as seein’ firefighters standin’ outside, pourin’ water through windows with hose lines and ladder pipes.
And if you really want to see an action packed picture, check out page 23 in the April issue. I count 10 firefighters standin’ around and watchin’ while about four others are workin’ on a vehicle extrication incident. Really? What happened to the days when excess companies were released and made available to serve the tax payin’ public? I think Street Maintenance does somethin’ similar. One or two individual work and six or seven stand around and watch.
And please don’t tell me these 10 individuals are there for safety concerns. Ten people focused in at the exact same spot is for safety? And when’s the last time a firefighter vanished or became lost durin’ a vehicle extraction incident? It’s a scary thought, but I suppose anythin’ is possible in today’s world. You know, I think this could be one of them much talked about UFLAC breaks.
Come on, the Incident Commander should have recognized a great opportunity and called for a scantily clad contestant from the reality show “Naked and Afraid.” Then two or three of them safety lookouts could have been put to use by startin’ a campfire. Then a few more of them onlookers could have been given an assignment to search for worms, snails and lizards for the starved contestant to cook and eat.
Now, with some of them spectators scurryin’ about, this picture would more likely fit in with the theme, the “Department in Action.”