'Cross Turrets'

59 Hours Remaining...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service...

Three…two…one…discharge! That’s the countdown to an event that we are privileged to be part of. It’s what we call ‘Cross Turrets’ and it has become just one of the ways that we offer ‘customer service’ at Portland Airport Fire and Rescue. When a pilot is flying into Portland as their ‘last fight’ we will take two of our Crash Trucks and position them on either side of a Taxiway. Prior to the aircraft arriving to our position we will give the countdown turning on our emergency lights and begin discharging water in a ‘cross turrets’ fashion. It is quite the cool site to watch, and even more so if the conditions are right in order to have a rainbow. What a way to send off a Captain who has given his or her service to our airways for so many years. 

 

Most often after the aircraft has taxied past our trucks and we’ve shut down our turrets we head back to the barn. At times though we are invited or requested to join the airline and their crew at the gate. It is inevitable that the pilot, the crew, the passengers, bystanders and the airline give a hearty thanks for our participation…Just a simple thing that means a lot. And to know that we’ve been even a small part in saying thanks to someone else for their service. It’s what we do! 

Cross Turrets is not the end...rather it is the beginning of something new. As Brandon Heath's song says... "He's not finished with me yet". And, "I'm not here for nothing, He's up to something". Looking forward to that...something!