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I'm riding in a fire engine! I'm in the rear facing seat on the passenger side watching the houses and cars go by, while people look up at us whizzing by. They think I'm one of those guys and I can't believe I'm here. Tears come to my eyes as I realize that this is what I've been working for, for the last 7 months. Working this shadow shift is the final step toward getting my badge, as a reserve firefighter. I'm really riding on a fire engine!

We are on our way to a call for an oven fire. As we arrive I put on my coat, head scarf, helmet, breathing apparatus and put the strap for my air mask around my neck. When we stop, I jump out and follow the Captain and engineer into the house. Our battalion captain has already arrived and welcomes us and mentions new faces on the call. I am that new face and the captain is substituting for our regular captain that has taken some time off.

When we walk in, the fire has stopped and the smoke has cleared the house. The couple is pretty calm, but frustrated that the oven locked and they couldn't put it out any faster. The captain and a couple of the other guys do a check for heat in the cabinetry and ceiling and make sure there is no other smoldering in the walls. The couple talks to me as if I'm one of those guys.

At lunch, we've been asked to buy tickets for the local Boy Scout fundraiser lunch. The crew arrives in the engine and medic truck. As we walk up, the boys and their parents have that look of admiration in their eyes and they look at me like I'm one of those guys.

Later that day we have another call for an older lady with a broken hip. We arrive and the two paramedics start to work on her and I'm asked to help. I try to help calm her as much as possible and assist the paramedics, while she and her daughter talk to me like I'm one of those guys. The ambulance crew is quick, efficient, friendly and address me like I belong here.

At 5 a.m. the next morning we get a call for a lady suffering from severe food poisoning. She is on the toilet with a garbage can between her legs and she is very ill. The bathroom is cramped and the paramedics have me get in there and take her vitals. The whole time I'm talking to her and reassuring her and she looks at me like I'm one of those guys.

Those guys are heroes every day. They are paid for what they are willing to do; run into burning buildings when everyone else is running out and to put themselves at risk for the rescue and safety of others. They train almost everyday and most have several years of experience before they even get hired on full-time because they have such a passion for what they do.

The seven months I've trained is not even a drop in the bucket compared to what those guys know. I don't even have my badge yet but I get to wear the same uniform and stand shoulder to shoulder with them. When I make mistakes, they have patience and willingness to teach and train without making me feel inferior. They love what they do and share that love for their job with me as I struggle to achieve an acceptable level of knowledge and skill.

I have so much to learn and so far to go to get to their level, but even now I am considered one of those guys and am humbled by the responsibility and respect that deserves.

Those guys are firefighters and I am proud to be thought of as being one of them.

Learn more about this author, SanDee Winn.
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