There is nothing like waking up to tones at 4am to hear "Attention all units: structure fire..." We quickly jump out of bed, climb in our bunker gear and prepare to fight fire! On the way sirens are blaring and we are preparing for what we might find when we arrive. Everybody knows what they need to do.

The life of a rookie is a complex thing. After completing fire academy, they are learning the ropes and discovering what they can do as a fire fighter. Every time the tones drop, the excitement begins. Every call is different and every call is a learning experience. They are becoming part of the family as they learn their role and their place.

In a world where chaos and danger loom, there are those who choose to rise above fear, don their gear, and run towards the flames.

Fire academy was, for me, an experience I will never forget. Not only did I learn a lot about fire fighting, I learned a lot about myself.

Welcome to my new blog, Sawdust & Splinters. I am a firefighter/paramedic working for a small town fire department. I would like to share stories from life in the ED as well as memories from the fire department and the ambulance. All names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.