It is with deep regret, on this Easter Day, that I share with you that our Houston Fire Department lost two firefighters in the line of duty in the early morning hours. They were fighting a house fire when somehow they became trapped and were unable to make it outside when a pull-out request was made.
Over the years, Houston has suffered the loss of many firefighters. Today, two too many. It scares me to think about John leaving the comforts and stability and somewhat safe confines of the airport station that he is the captain over. He is studying for the senior captain’s test but if got promoted he would have to go outside of the fence and back out on the streets. I told him to put the books down today. We will revisit the studying on another day. Today is not the day and neither is tomorrow. I am not sure if that day will ever come but right now, these two firefighter fatalities at his own department hit too close to home.
Anytime I work a fatality, a piece of that fatality is forever engrained into my psyche. I become just a little bit more paranoid about something happening to John. I try not to let those fears overcome me but when the fatalities occur in our fire department, in our own backyard, I just can’t handle it as well. Today I am afraid for his life. HFD’s track record with LODD’s isn’t the best and I am not willing to gamble the life of my husband against their odds.
Ironically, I leave tomorrow for Maryland. I have a two day meeting with the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation. We are working on how we can save the lives of firefighters. Ironic for sure.
I will share Easter photos when I get back. I just can’t do it today….
