Tims Times

Here is yours truly casting a shadow, all dressed to kill fires. With my Darth Vader sound effects mask strapped across my chest aka Self contained breathing apparatus. The yellow helmet is of brand ” Cromwell” which I thought was very ironic, fire equipment with the same name as the Cromwell who burned Drogheda and Wexford, perhaps the descendants have a private laugh about it at company parties, or maybe they don’t know……it felt weird all the same.
Anyway dressing up like a fireman and being a fireman are two different things, and I like the prevention is better than cure theory.
We have had Cork City Fireman teaching us, so phrases like “get moving langer” and ” you look flahed out Boy” and “dowtcha boy” have been used with great gusto, also “alright kid”, “alright boy” or “alright buddy” used as a greeting has been popular
We have dragged fire hose and clambered in and out of a burning module with breathing equipment and black smoke billowing out so it is impossible to see, roasting hot like the hobs of hell and when you apply water to hot metal it turns to steam which burns you too. Hard to talk with breathing gear on, and the more you shout the more air you waste, it’s no joke. Then theres the smell of burning diesel and wet gloves and well worn wellington boots. All this and trying to stay calm, and trying to think straight, and this is only instruction with qualified firemen.
Anyway last day tomorrow, thank the gods. Fireman Tim will return to being sailor Tim, a far more relaxed type of guy!