Two Non-Calls in 8 Hours

Last night, after finishing work, I poked around a bit, then noticed it getting dark early. Glanced outside to see it getting stormy, and checked online to see severe weather warnings posted for us. Went up to Subway, grabbed dinner, then headed for the station, just in case. Three others showed up, it blew around for 10 mins or so, let fall 2-3 drops of rain, then cleared off for blue skies and a beautiful night. You just never know.

So I went home, walked the dog, read a bit, and went to bed. I'd seen on the radar a line of showers coming toward us, but it wasn't going to hit 'til midnight, and I was tired, so I turned in. Sure enough, a little after midnight, thunder and lightning. I fought the urge to hop up and get dressed, and just listened to it all, and drifted back to sleep.

About 2 minutes later, pager goes off. You get tones, then a pause, then the dispatcher comes on and gives the address and type of the incident, and lists what apparatus is being dispatched. This time, she calls out the address, says it's a dwelling fire (I think; I was half asleep), then says "disregard tones, will handle". Harumph. I get undressed, go back to bed, and lay there for an hour or so, all keyed up.

So now I'm short on sleep, but thanks to working at home this week and an understanding boss, I decide to sleep in. Well, 8am, pager goes off again, waking me up again. Automatic fire alarm at the middle school. I roll out of bed, dress, get to the station. I'm curious as to whether enough folks show up for a day call to run Squad. Engine 1 responds, and another driver arrives, sees me waiting by the Squad, and decides to respond in it. So I climb aboard. Two or three other guys are getting suited up, and heading over. And the call comes over the radio to recall. I wait around for E1 to return, then head home.

All part of the job. (But I'm still waiting for my 2nd call...)