A Matter of Professional Ethics
Marcus Smith
Tue Oct 23 13:14:19 -0700 2007
The following is a true story: The day was a sun-scorched August 1st, summer 2007. For wildland firefighters, just another working day in our dirty yellow and green Nomex uniforms, heavy boots, gloves, and hardhats. When the call came it was no surprise, for the weather had been hot and dry for days and weeks on end. Three of us loaded ourselves, gear, and tools into the assigned "HELITACK" helicopter. With our good and faithful pilot at the controls, we took-off once again towards a reported smoke... another routine run. On arrival, we view below us fast moving flames advancing toward an old family farm house at the foot of a hill. Beyond that, nothing but smoke, fire, and all hell roaring. Since saving property is always our priority, we land nearby, unload, and proceed headlong into our hot, dirty, hazardous business. Our helicopter and pilot depart for further missions elsewhere on the fire. We dig in. Construct lines around the structures, set sprinklers in place, fire-out at the precise moment, and attempt to suppress all flames that cross our line. The fire advances...we hold. Sparks and embers flying, incredible heat and smoke driving all around us. We fight. We shout and dive for breath. We dig and throw dirt. We hunker and hold amid a roar that sounds much like a jet taking off. The fire crests, moves all around us, and then at last subsides. Taking stock of our efforts we find we have been successful. House, home and outbuildings have been saved. Each of us exhausted, parched, and our thirst raging. Our long days work was done. Then, at that sweet moment of reprise, on the front porch of the house-- we spy a lone refrigerator. With no other authority around to seek council, a thirsty curiosity propels us to open the cool white door. And there, sitting alone on a frosted shelf await six icy Moose Drools all in a line. We look at each other in astonishment and then back inside toward the cool promise of ultimate refreshment. However, being the professionals we profess to be, we carefully assess the situation first. We look at each other once more, then smile... "What would our boss do in a situation like this?" Following a slight pause, I at last venture: "Well... he might say, "Boys, I think maybe you earned this one!"