After leaving a Tiger's baseball game, me and my wife returned to our car to find it blocked in by other cars. We were parked next to Detroit Engine House 1. One of the firefighters offered to let us come inside and out of the rain. As we went through the bay doors, I looked at my wife and smiled big--Firehouses do that to me. We stayed for a little over an hour. I toured the rig and me and firefighter Watts shared fire stories. If it weren't for Watts and Engine House 1, I would have been angrier than I was.
That night reminded me of what a Fire house is all about; it was and always should be a place of safety. The streets of Detroit are known for violence and make us "west michiganders" nervous. Knowing that we could find refuge among the city's bravest brought myself and my wife great joy. I felt proud to be a firefighter and for the larger brotherhood of the fire service.
The firehouse serves a vital role in the communities in which we live. It's important for us to keep the doors open (when it's not cold) in order to invite people in. Our firehouses have key-code locks on every door and sometimes I wonder what message that sends to the community? I believe we should always stand ready to openly invite people in and maintain the house as a place where people can come to find comfort amidst thier storm...you'll never know who might show up!
