My original major in college was elementary education but it quickly changed to Crisis and Disaster Management with an emphasis on Fire Science. My parents weren't exactly happy about my decision but after all it is/was my decision and I would make it again in a heartbeat.
After having my daughter my firefighting career was no longer an option. Although devastating, my life has taken a new path which I love and would change for the world. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed teaching the kiddos and working in the fire service and hope to one day again be doing just that. I loved teaching children about fire safety and senior adults how to use a fire extinguisher and installing smoke detectors,
Instead I spend my days teaching my daughter - I homeschool! I also am an active participant in my local CERT program.
Firefighters never have fires right? Wrong. Remember the title of this post? "It Will Never Happen To Me..." Well it did. On Sunday, we had a little fire in our garage. From upstairs it looked large but in fact it was "small." It resulted in a burnt up fan (the cause), lots and lots of smoke, and the death of our beloved air compressor. I was able to quickly put it out, but it made me think of a few things afterwards.
I spent all that time while I was at the fire department teaching children and seniors how to use a fire extinguisher and not once had I taught my tween daughter! I did not have to use all of the extinguisher on the fire and when the fire department arrived I was able to do a quick presentation (and demonstration) on how to use a fire extinguisher. A firefighter friend also showed my husband and daughter how they use thermal imaging cameras to check for "hot spots."
So the next time you think "it will never happen to me" think again. Also make sure to have working smoke detectors AND fire extinguishers in your home and garage.
