Alaska, Yes the 'Last Frontier'

SHIFT 38...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service...

Dave Dodson as we Backpacked Elmendorf

 Like the beginnings in Southern Oregon, Alaska naturally was not short on beauty and amazing outdoor experiences. I will likely write about shift work by itself in a future post, but for sure, one cool aspect of a firefighter's schedule is having many 'weekday' opportunities to escape and enjoy whatever, without the weekend crowd. Such was the case many times in Alaska. Just on Elmendorf alone we were privilege to over 80,000 acres of area to explore. To the right is a picture of Dave as we backpacked into the backwoods of the Base.

Rick in the Chugach Mountains

Travels would likewise take us to explore Mt. Denali, the Kenai Peninsula, Independence Mine and several Glaciers. One such venture was into the Chugach Mountain territory pictured to the side. What a beautiful sunny day it was, taking the opportunity to make our way back down the mountain sliding on our butts. And another trip is my infamous Bodenburg Butte climb where I proposed to Miss Karen Pace. And...she said...YES:)

Rick & Karen on Bodenburg Butte

Alaska...though now such a very faint memory, still many good memories were made as a career was confirmed, a wife and a family would join in the adventure, and several opportunities were realized as we would reach into the land that is often called America's 'Last Frontier'. Thank you Alaska! Thank you Elmendorf and the men that traveled with me during those years. Men including Dave above, Mike Harte, whom I've mentioned before, JB and Duane Foy are just a few who made these early years some of the greatest.

 So another shift comes to an end. Halloween is tomorrow so I leave you with this creation of a pumpkin with the EMS 'Star of Life'. And another song...'God of Wonders', one of my favorites sung by perhaps my all-time favorite voice. Enjoy:)

Boiler house, Tailboard and the Frozen Pump

SHIFT 39...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service

"It's good to be alive, feel the wind in my face, see the blue in the sky. Days like this I realize what a gift is...And it's good to be alive" Geoff Moore

The more I thought of last shifts post, I thought that I would try to add a song to each shift. Since music has been so central to my life, why not?

Today's Post I'll continue with my service time at Elmendorf Fire Dept. The first of three thoughts for this post include a fire that we had in the old Boiler House. At the time of this fire we were not aware that the plan was to remove the boilers and then disassemble this building. Holding to our training proved to provide an unknown safety net. I mean...we entered into this heavily smoke filled commercial building using a left hand sweep, that is holding to the walls on our left. Though we had been told that there was no one in the building, still we would extend our bodies out in attempt to located any victims. Eventually, entering into the third room we were able to locate the fire. After it was extinguished we exited being pumped at the opportunity to fight fire. During 'mop-up' some of our command staff entered to determine the damage done and cause of the fire. It was at this time that they discovered that the boilers had been removed leaving at least a couple 20' x 20' openings into the floor that extended at least twenty feet below. To think, any one of us could have easily stepped into one of these holes, perhaps for our last step. This one call would prove to be a defining object lesson that set the tone for my career, that says 'follow your training and enhance the probability to return home'. The objective that fire fighters want more than any other...to all sit down at the next briefing...to sit together at the next meal.

 

 The second thought is regarding riding 'tailboard'. What an experience this proved to be. Though this practice has been in disfavor since the 80's, it was common during my early years. On the nice summers days, it felt like the chorus of the song I posted today. But when the weather turned, ouch! We had a tarp that would break the wind for us, but still when it was snowing, sometimes blizzard like, and the temps near zero...just holding onto the bar and tying-in made you wish you were back in the warm fire house.

Lastly, the weather in Alaska (as would be in any of the northern states) also made for some interesting and testing times when having to use your pumper. I remember times attempting to open the bail of the nozzle only to find that we had no water due to a frozen pump. What a totally helpless feeling.

Until the next shift...

"Matters not how a man dies, but how he lives" SJ

SHIFT 40…Hello again and welcome. My name is Rick Williams and this is my 'Viajero' blog.  That is a Spanish word that means 'traveler'. If you've yet to join me on my recent journey, I began on September 21st writing a ReFlection of my 32 year career in the Fire Service.  On that day I had 50 shifts remaining in this field. With today's shift, as you can see, I'm down to forty. Wow!...My current thinking is that each shift that falls on a 'ten' number, that I will write about something that holds perhaps the most significance during my career. Please feel free to go back to my initial post to see what the path looked like from those beginnings in 1977 up the present and then through and toward my last shift early in 2013.

Here on the 'Forty' shift I'd like to keep it simple and  leave you with a couple songs that have been instrumental (no pun intended) to me. The first song by Mark Harris, 'Line Between The Two'. "The years go by they seem to fly, they'll all be over soon. When our life is done did we live and love the way we wanted to. Cause every day that we leave behind goes on to tell the truth of how we lived in the line between the two." Our careers are just a small, though major part of that line. I look with anticipation at how the line continues into the next chapter of life. The second song is Blink by Revive. "It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash, it happens in the time it took to look back. I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time, what is it I've done with my life? It happens in a blink...it happens in a blink." Regardless of our career path...what is it that we've done with our lives? I try to make it a regular practice to evaluate this question. And I'm thankful for typically being able to see daily purpose. The last song by Brandon Heath says, "Give me Your eyes for just one second, give me Your eyes so I can see. Everything that I keep missing, give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken hearted that ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your Heart for the ones forgotten, give me Your eyes so I can see." It is so easy to 'miss' things...to 'miss' life. I so much desire to have His eyes, to live a life of greater simplicity that I may be available to see those in need around me and to affect their lives.

Might these songs and their messages powerfully connect and resonate in your lives as well. If you'd like, please tell me how they have.

Until next shift...


Line Between The Two

Blink

Give Me Your Eyes

Elmendorf – Chief and the manikin head + Heesacker running across the field

SHIFT 41…So many memories resurface regarding my time at Elmendorf. There would be the throttle linkage of our VW Dasher breaking on one of those near zero mornings. This one happened to be a Sunday, with no parts available. Using bailing wire I was able to get eventually get home using the wire as a hand throttle. That made for some tricky shifting for my hour drive. Or maybe I could talk about the day when not one, but two fire trucks caught on fire. Did you say the fire truck caught on fire? Oh yes I did. Or there could be the missed opportunity to fly over Mt. Denali while sitting down in the fueling pit of a C135. Instead of those as my focus, on ‘Shift 41’ I’d like to talk about a couple funnies. 

Through the 70’s and much of the 80’s ‘old school’ military command ruled the Fire House. Of course we were military so that tends to make sense. Still, compared to Chiefs of recent years who show more personality toward the crews, the ‘old school’ Chief was pretty much a…’do what I say without question’…type of Chief. Perhaps that is what made this funny so very worth the pain. As with the case of any fire house, we had our share of misfits. I can’t honestly remember what they did this particular time, but their midnight antics had all of us into our training room at Station One. Our Chief did not know everyone, but the missing person happened to be one of those ‘misfits’. Chief was so upset that he decided that he would go and look for Mr. Misfit as the Captain was left behind to give the shift a reprimand. Someone said that the ‘misfit’ was likely in the bunk room sleeping. So Chief made his way into the bunk room which had minimal light on. Not being familiar where the light switches were he must have just began walking through our bunk room cubicles. Next thing…we heard one of the loudest ‘little girl screams’ coming from the ‘old’ dude. One of the ‘misfits’ had placed a CPR manikin head under the covers of one of the bunks. Apparently Chief found the bunk and upon shaking it the head rolled onto the floor. Let’s just say that this was not a recipe for calming the chief. That was one long night listening to this old dude, but boy it was worth it.

Another funny was the time we were dispatched from Station Two to a fire in the dorms across the five acre field that sat in front of the station. Seeing smoke, the Captain was excited to get the engine out of the house leaving firefighter Heesacker behind. After arriving and taking the hydrant we looked up to see Heesacker in the distance turned-out with SCBA, his hands, helmet and straps flying every which way as he ran across the field. Fortunately the smoke was the infamous ‘burnt toast’ because we were all busting a gut to such an extent that there was not going to be any way to work a fire. 

Keeping brevity at the fire house has always been a way to make for an easier shift.

Numbers, Trivia and ReFirement…

SHIFT 42... Numbers…there are ‘lucky numbers’, ‘phone numbers’, ‘symbolic numbers’, oh let’s not forget ‘lottery numbers’, the show ‘Numb3rs’, ‘superstitions numbers’, the ‘unlucky number 13’, ‘spiritual numbers’, ‘mathematical numbers’ with real, complex, rational and irrational numbers…and on and on into. Not to say that they aren’t important, as Sir Isaac Newton could surely attest. But sometimes, as for this guy, numbers are just fun. Of course it doesn’t hurt that numbers just ‘stick’ in my head. Yeh, I’m the guy who remembers his credit card number and the dates when family was born and died and all that stuff. 

But really…what does this all have to do with SHIFT 42?

Jackie Robinson - #42

Perhaps the greatest number in all of sports is number 42. Though many black men and women fought for equality in many areas of life prior to and during Jackie’s time, it was Jackie Robinson who became the one to break the color barrier in all of sports. Our own Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. considered Jackie to be so significant that on April 15, 1997 he wore number 42 (from his then usual 24) on the 50^th anniversary of Jackie’s first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. That year, Jackie’s number 42 was retired from all of baseball (except those 12 who wore 42 at that time). Then in 2007 Griffey asked for permission to wear 42 again in honor of the 60^th anniversary. Griffey was not only given permission, all of baseball has decided that on April 15^th that every player can wear number 42 in Jackie’s honor. Wow, what a tribute! The last of baseball players ever to wear this number is Mariano Riviera of the NY Yankees. Once he retires the number belongs only to Jackie.

 So…numbers…Jackie Robinson…number 42, really what does it have to do with reflections of my fire service career? ...Perhaps nothing, but maybe everything. Life is not just about being a teacher, a doctor, a salesman, a business owner, a landscaper, a baseball player or a firefighter. No…it’s about character. The kind of character that Jackie displayed is that of which I strive. Not that I’m a Jackie Robinson…but his character…that’s reproducible.

April 15 of every year...wearing #42

As I come closer to this milestone in my life I’ve been thinking about what’s next? I’ve used the term ‘ReFirement’ for the past 10 ten years or so. Perhaps I’ll define what this means to me further in coming posts. For now suffice it to say that it particularly includes living a life of great character before, during and after ones career.

Mariano Riviera...the last ballplayer to wear #42

So on SHIFT 42 I give tribute to baseballs number 42.

'Sourdough Sentinel' - Front Cover

Rick Williams and Dave Dodson, Sept. 1980

 SHIFT 43...So you've not heard of the 'Sourdough Sentinel'? Come on now, you can't be serious? You're telling me that you haven't seen the 'famous' photo in the September 1980 issue? Just in case you missed it, I've placed it here in this blog for your viewing pleasure. Or to be used for your friendly game of darts...whatever the case may be. And you probably don't know what a 'sourdough' is either? It is a person who is sour on Alaska and not enough dough to leave. Ha!

Anyway, as my career continued at Elmendorf, I was able to travel back to the big metropolis of Rantoul, Illinois for 3 weeks training at the Air Force Rescueman School during the Spring of 1980. In the picture I'm seen with one of my best buddies (also was my best-man in our wedding), Dave Dodson. Of course the more 'photogenic' me got the headline. Just kidding:) Being part of the 'P-10' crew allowed me a little more spice in my Air Force career.

Notice in the picture the 'Silvers' that we wore. These turnouts also called 'Proximity Suits' were suppose to allow you closer proximity...to the fire. Though many departments still use these today, and though they do provide a 'reflecting' capability they had (or have) several problems including not realizing that you're burning inside like a baked potato, and also a short life span as they wore out much faster than traditional turnout gear. None-the-less they were the turnout of choice during the first 1/3 to 1/2 of my career. Must admit that I am much more fond of the traditional nomex.

See you on the next 'B' shift.

Elmendorf, Marriage, P15 and Northern Lights

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska

SHIFT 44... Stop number two along my fire service career landed me at Elmendorf Air Force Base Alaska. Arriving in early September 1978 gave me a little time before the extreme weather came knocking. Having been born in the south and then raised in the Los Angeles area, to say that this was 'different' is definitely an understatement. I went from shorts, tank-tops and sandals to thermals, parkas and bunny boots. But more than the weather, what stands out about my Alaskan tour...

Mr. & Mrs Richard Williams September 29, 1979

Soon meeting, falling in love and marrying my bride of now 33 years...miss Karen Yvonne. And she said that she'd never date another 'Rick' and never a 'military man'. It must of been my charm:) In the picture to the side are two fire buddies, our best man Dave Dodson and another dear friend Mike Hart. Dave went on to a highly talented Instructor in Firefighter Safety. I last saw Dave about 17 years ago. Mike...lost contact with the man who was always smiling.

 Another aspect of that tour was driving and instructing some of the biggest pieces of fire apparatus in the world. The 'P2 was the first truck that I would become certified on. Today it is a complete dinosaur...of course a lot of my current comrades say the same thing about me. To which I reply...see you in the 'Stairwell' or on the 'Pickleball Court'...stories for another shift. One of the coolest fire trucks of all-time would have to be the P15. Shown below exiting out of a C5 Galaxy, this truck had two turrets in which you operated by standing on top of the rig. They had a contest prior to its' arrival at Elmendorf in order to name the truck. The winning name was 'Big Dipper'. Not really super original, but it did fit and the picture of the 'Big Dipper' on the side of the truck looked great.

P15 exits off a C5 'Galaxy'

P15 Discharging from the Roof Turret

I could ramble a lot about those days, but suffice it to say that at least one other amazing part of Alaska was the Aurora Borealis. I can't imagine ever losing interest in watching their dazzling shows. I know I never did. I look forward to experiencing their beauty and the beauty of Alaska once again.

Childhood Memories

1959 Mack Fire Truck...isn't she a beauty?

 SHIFT 45...There's probably a space in your memory/reflection as a kid for many events that are cemented within the recesses of your mind. Such was the weekend morning circa 1967 or 1968 while helping my childhood buddy, Danny Stoneking, with his paper route. Though I never had my own route, I loved joining Danny on his. Even as a kid I remember admiring his diligence to rise early in the morning to deliver the papers. So at times (hey I needed my sleep) I would join in the 'adventure'. This particular morning we were stopped literally in our tracks as from a distance of several blocks we could see the 'plume' of smoke against the morning sky. As we rushed to petal our small Schwinn bikes toward the plume I'm sure that our hearts raced as fast as our feet. What is it about a fire that brings excitement to the viewer...less of course it's your own property. We pulled our bikes across the four-lane street to watch a large building fire (I think it was a church building) fought by the Hawthorne Fire Department. Though the pictures that I've added are not actual from that event, they do represent much of what I recall. I don't remember just how long we spent watching, but I'm sure there were some angry folks, a cup of hot coffee poured and waiting for their typically early paper to arrive. Let's hope they got over it:)

Like most childhood friends, I have long since lost connection with Danny. While in LA in 2007 I actually drove by his house and was able to recall some of those memories, and just in case someone from those days, 40 years prior, might still be around. For myself, I'm not sure if this is my link to my career, but it is fascinating just how fresh the memory still remains.

1st Tranistion...US Air Force Firefighter

Where's the hoseline? Don't know, but cool time. Did I say 'cool'

SHIFT 46...my tour with Uncle Sam's Air Force began with at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in 1978. After six weeks I was off to the first of two Firefighter academies. This one took place at Chanute AF Base in the big town of Rantoul, Illinois. A place where I would return two other times for a 'Rescueman' course and 'P4' crash truck course. This first experience placed me into 'Silvers' turnouts for the first time. You're basically a 'baked potato' with arms and legs.

Rick in Basic Training...clean locker baby!

One experience that I wasn't expecting was after I arrived while walking to my dorm and home for the next 10 weeks.  As I approach the dorm building I started hearing a faint, "Rick, Rick". Then it became louder and louder..."Rick, Rick". Next thing I know, I see a crazy dude running towards me. Much to my amazement it was one of my high school best friends, Roy Ingram. Roy had joined the Air Force a few weeks before me and was still at Chanute. I had been out of school for two years and hadn't seen Roy since that summer after graduation. On our baseball team in high school we had a three-some of singers. Roy was Elvis, Rick Fletcher was Mick Jagger and myself...John Denver of course. Anyway, it was good connecting with an old friend. OK, we were still 'kids'. A friend to this day that I like to run into once again.

Roy and Rick

Until next shift...

Tony, Rick and Fish