Things I learned from the firemen/women

After a refreshing nap, I am feeling much more human (didn't sleep well last night, thanks to KENGA!).

Here is a list of things I learned from the firemen and women:

-firemen never grow out of the attraction to icky things.

-firemen seem to like the color red a awful lot.

-I now know the difference between a corey and a galvin wrench. Ask me, and I'll show you.

-That's a Homaltro combi tool, silly! (we're talkin jaws of life here, people)

-when transporting you to the hospital, they will cut off every stitch of your clothes. So Mama was right about the underwear thing. And if you're hangin llama or going commando, the firemen WILL talk about it. Guaranfuckingteed.

-Most firemen and women who I met (and there were one hell of a lot of them) were among the nicest people I've ever had the fortune to meet. Only about 3 of them qualified as total dicks. Not a bad set of odds there.

-Firemen love to gossip. You think that women have some kind of patent, you gotta sit around a firehouse for a while- they are on 24 hour shifts, and I'm pretty sure have to come up with something interesting to talk about in that time.

-Also- if you have the misfortune of spending any significant time with a crew that doesn't get along, beware. It's hell on earth.

-They are great about explaining their jobs, what stuff on the trucks and engines are for, and are very proud of their vocations. If you get the chance, and it's not a serious emergency, ask- they'll tell you all about stuff. Also- if you show up at a station on a slow day, they might just give you a tour if you ask nicely. Cookies help. So does being a girl. And a redhead (see above).

-For some reason, they seem to have a penchant for The Sopranos. I went to several firehouses, and they were watching the DVDs. Must be a guy thing.

-And finally for today, DON'T TOUCH THE DAMNED BRASS!!! Friday is brass polishing day- and it pains them to have to clean the brass prior to then- it's stinky and not fun.