Volunteer Firefighting, in Three Moments

These photos are from three different calls, spread over a few years, when I was a volunteer firefighter.

December 12, 2014:

This was a house fire on a cold winter day. By the time we arrived, the damage was already significant.

Harry Nelson, who’s on the far left in the photo, later called me a hero for going into the house and helping put out the fire.

What actually happened was that Harry’s years of training and quick action put a hose in my hands. I followed his instructions, sprayed water, and moved forward a few steps.

The Keene professionals arrived shortly after and made sure the job was done right. They deserve the credit for finishing it safely.

Another memorable firefighter experience was this one. Here’s the aftermath of Lloyd Danforth’s house:

I helped get him out of a room inside the house and into safety. It was a terrible day for him and his family, but at least it wasn’t his last. Once he was out, Harry took over and got the house ready.

June 13, 2017:

This photo is from a car crash on a back road. The vehicle hit a guardrail hard enough that it looked worse than it turned out to be.

Everyone involved took a short ambulance ride to the hospital and was fine afterward. Not everyone is so lucky.

Two pieces of advice from someone who’s seen the results up close:

Don’t touch your phone while your vehicle is in motion.

And never drive after you’ve had a drink or used drugs. Ever.

Most crashes aren’t random. They’re the result of choices made seconds earlier.

— Mark Edgington

This article also appears onhttps://medium.com/@markedgington , where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.