The Fire Department is maybe THE only entity that when you call, there is INSTANT action / reply. Even a ER Doctor has people triage and assess before they take over. Police can prioritize calls. The Fire Dept?? Whether we were on the Engine, in the middle of a Training Evolution, eating, on the Crapper or drooling on a pillow at 0230, OR WORSE...... The Rams just got a turn over and are driving.....we take and respond to the call RIGHT THEN. There is no "We'll get back to you later" stuff. I have always said that THAT was maybe the most stressful thing about my job. No matter what, you are ALWAYS in ready to go mode / RIGHT NOW .....or else. It's a subliminal stress that adds up over the years. You THINK you are used to it but your mind and body still has to seal with it.
