By Jerry Burmeister

Every time I see my neighbor this is what I hear: “How much sleep did you get at the fire house last night?” I thought I’d just write the answer.

I’ve been a firefighter for 25 years, and it’s certainly different from other occupations. Around the station, it’s an easy going, relaxing atmosphere. It could be compared to a fraternity, or even a family setting. Bosses are nearly partners — no time clocks or quotas. We find time to eat, exercise, read, watch TV, and occasionally even nap while waiting for the next alarm.

Then comes the alarm. The buzzer sounds at all times, but especially in bad weather or under particularly hazardous conditions. Response must be immediate, even if you’re on the pot. Alarms are always pressing, often confusing, always dangerous en route and often physically or biologically harmful. At arrival on the scene, besides the excitement, firefighters may experience revulsion, fear, dread or wish they were somewhere else. There are no atheists in burning buildings.

In a recent 90-day period, 24 firefighters, across the 50 states, were killed on duty. Since the discovery of rubbing two sticks together, firefighters have rescued people in every type of circumstance. In this process, they get sneezed, coughed, bled, regurgitated, urinated and defecated on. They confront cancer, infection, tuberculosis, hepatitis, AIDS and who knows what other contagious diseases?

During the common house fire, a variety of chemicals under the sink would baffle Einstein, if he mixed them and added fire. Firefighters’ skin, eyes, lungs and blood streams often come into contact with these chemical mixtures. The fire jackets they wear, unbeknownst to most people, are not fire-proof, much less vapor, gas or explosion-proof. Firefighters stopped rescuing cats in trees because we started rescuing people in all situations, besides fire. Firefighters climb after suicide ledge walkers and medically sustain victims of car, boat, truck, bicycle, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents. They respond to chemical, oil, gas and nuclear spills. Fire Rescue is the first called for plane crashes, floods, tornadoes, lightning strikes, electrocutions, power line emergencies, riots, domestic violence, child abuse, hostage situations, robberies, rapes and murders.

In place of rescuing cats, firefighters deliver babies, give physicals to street people, provide some public transport, work large crowd situations, fireworks displays, athletic events, parade and do local blood pressure checks for the elderly.

A firefighter can earn his entire year’s salary on one call — or end his life in one short moment!

Yes, neighbor, occasionally we do sleep if the station duties are done, training is over, building inspections have been completed, equipment has been cleaned and checked and the time is right, weather is good and the drunks, crowds, emotionally disturbed, insane, sick, wounded, the aged, the lost and the homeless are all doing just fine, then, we might take a nap!

Deputy Chief Jerry Burmeister is a 25-year veteran of the Anderson Fire Department.