The Worst Day Above Ground is Still Better Than the Best day Below !

[Suty]

I just thought I'd share my explosion experience with ya'll. Because no matter what happens in your life there's alway a little room, no matter how small it may seem, for something POSITIVE. As most of you know who frequent here ,I work for the Dallas FD. Back in 1998 a homeless man would come by the Fire Station looking for handouts. We would give him leftovers , cokes and sometimes a little money. He would often ask how are day had been and then be on his way. After awhile we began to notice that if we told him we had been slow, a vacant house ,garage or apartment fire would start shortly after he left. After we added this up, we figured he was a Arsonist, so they next time he came by we confronted him with it and he became irate. He felt somehow betrayed I guess and he began to damage our personal vehicles when we would be asleep or on runs. The next time he showed up he was arrested for Tresspassing,it was at this point he threated to " Get Us". A couple of months went by and we had'nt seen or heard from him so we thought all was well. We got a call one June afternoon for a Trash fire ,upon arrival we found a pile of trash with a small Jon boat flipped upside down and on top of the pile. The fire had burned from the outside in and was mostly burning under and around the boat. Since this pile was down through a wooded area and quite a distance from our engine we called for a Booster or a brush truck, it could go where our big Engine could'nt get. I walked back down to the fire and stood by waiting for the Booster. I was about 15 ft away when it happened... One minute I was there the next I was flying through the air like a flaming marshmallow ( smore's anyone). When I landed, my right side was on fire and blood was squirt'n from my right upper arm. I could'nt see out of my right eye ( Full of debris ) Help soon arrived. I had crawled away and was up and limping when my Bros. got to me. I had third degree burn and shapnel wounds to my upper right arm and second degree burns to my chest. After all was said and done ,our homeless buddy had been seen there all day making the pile but no one saw him light it. He had placed a Large cylinder of Anhydrous Ammonia under the boat before he lit it. I have included a Picture of my arm today, it's ugly but I have tried to spruce it up a bit. REMEMBER the Worst Day Above Ground is Better Than The Best Day Below......Tu Compadre, Suty

[Dyna Jim]

**** suty, I can't imagine what compells people to do some of the things they do. Why someone you helped out once would turn on you so violently and in fact try to kill you is beyond me. Let me guess he walked away scott free for doing this? It's bad enough you have to risk your life everyday for random non-arson fires, but when someone is out to kill you, IMHO it's time to thin the herd.... :death:

I agree with your sentiment, at our office two doors down is the Baker foundation. This is where the individuals with cerable paulsy spent their days. Every morning the Van Trans drop them off and help them inside, and every day at 3 they pick them up. I look at my wife and son, and think how lucky we are.

Before my son was born, they did several tests, one showed he carried the gene known for causing Downs Syndrome (granted he was still in the womb at the time). We had to go through all kinds of counseling, and they tried to prepare us for what could be a child who would need constant care all his life. The good news is, he came out fine and normal.

I couldn't help but wonder while we were waiting to find out, if this was God's way of humbleing me, and trying to make me straighten up. Everything happens for a reason, and I'm glad your still with us bro, thank whoever was watching over you that day, and live life to the fullest!

[Suty]

**** suty, I can't imagine what compells people to do some of the things they do. Why someone you helped out once would turn on you so violently and in fact try to kill you is beyond me. Let me guess he walked away scott free for doing this? It's bad enough you have to risk your life everyday for random non-arson fires, but when someone is out to kill you, IMHO it's time to thin the herd.... :death:
Jim, I relly appreciate the kind words, But i hope everyone will realize that I am not fishing for compliments. I just hoped it might help someone realize that theres always something positive in everything bad that comes our way.Like I got 1 Tattoo I did'nt want and 2 I Did......Tu Compa, Suty

[Ammoman]

Suty, Man I know what flying through the air is like, when an AUTHORIZED nut case set off a demolition pile early one day. Concusion knocked me 10' feet, only minor white phosphours burns that can't be seen on hands and face, My buddies put me out real quick, hearing never came back 100%. You got the right arm memorial going on there, nice touch up!!!!

I agree with you 100%, my wifes version: it's better than a wood coat.

[fbomer]

I just thought I'd share my explosion experience with ya'll. Because no matter what happens in your life there's alway a little room, no matter how small it may seem, for something POSITIVE. As most of you know who frequent here ,I work for the Dallas FD. Back in 1998 a homeless man would come by the Fire Station looking for handouts. We would give him leftovers , cokes and sometimes a little money. He would often ask how are day had been and then be on his way. After awhile we began to notice that if we told him we had been slow, a vacant house ,garage or apartment fire would start shortly after he left. After we added this up, we figured he was a Arsonist, so they next time he came by we confronted him with it and he became irate. He felt somehow betrayed I guess and he began to damage our personal vehicles when we would be asleep or on runs. The next time he showed up he was arrested for Tresspassing,it was at this point he threated to " Get Us". A couple of months went by and we had'nt seen or heard from him so we thought all was well. We got a call one June afternoon for a Trash fire ,upon arrival we found a pile of trash with a small Jon boat flipped upside down and on top of the pile. The fire had burned from the outside in and was mostly burning under and around the boat. Since this pile was down through a wooded area and quite a distance from our engine we called for a Booster or a brush truck, it could go where our big Engine could'nt get. I walked back down to the fire and stood by waiting for the Booster. I was about 15 ft away when it happened... One minute I was there the next I was flying through the air like a flaming marshmallow ( smore's anyone). When I landed, my right side was on fire and blood was squirt'n from my right upper arm. I could'nt see out of my right eye ( Full of debris ) Help soon arrived. I had crawled away and was up and limping when my Bros. got to me. I had third degree burn and shapnel wounds to my upper right arm and second degree burns to my chest. After all was said and done ,our homeless buddy had been seen there all day making the pile but no one saw him light it. He had placed a Large cylinder of Anhydrous Ammonia under the boat before he lit it. I have included a Picture of my arm today, it's ugly but I have tried to spruce it up a bit. REMEMBER the Worst Day Above Ground is Better Than The Best Day Below......Tu Compadre, Suty


Suty... thank's for the perspective! It was a welcomed reminder... Sorry you had to endure that scar, but Nice decorating job on your arm!

[Wind]

Suty, I hate to say this but, YUK! Thats one very nasty looking scar. Thank God it wasn't your head and I assume you still have pretty much full use of your arm. I assume because you are still on the force.
Goes to show, with a little decoration even the worst looking Christmas tree can turn out OK.

[BadgerOctane]

I have some pretty mean scars, but nothing in comparison to that. Glad you're still with us Suty, I'm sure you more than any realize that situation could have been much worse had you been a few steps closer. Personally I've always considered firefighters to be 'true' heros. Men who put themselves in harms way to get others out of it. My hat's off to you, much respect my friend. I thank you for being not only in this forum, but on this Earth we share as home.


BadgerOctane

[gixster92]

and that there suty is why I personally appreciate those that serve the community. you da man... and nice tat placement too.

[gonzo]

Hey Suty...you carry an outward, visible memorial of the dark nature of the human psyche that most of us can barely imagine. I am glad your wounds (physical ones) have healed and what an awesome touch with the tatoo!!
I think I speak for many when I say "thanks" for all you do and the conditions you are required to endure. To survive and heal is but one sign of a life unfinished, God must have some work for you to accomplish and I only hope that you are able to open your heart, ever so slightly, to be able to hear the voices of the ones that are unable to speak for themselves. Stay cool, dude..look forward to hearing about your ventures.

gonzo

[fbomer]

Hey Suty...you carry an outward, visible memorial of the dark nature of the human psyche that most of us can barely imagine. I am glad your wounds (physical ones) have healed and what an awesome touch with the tatoo!!
I think I speak for many when I say "thanks" for all you do and the conditions you are required to endure. To survive and heal is but one sign of a life unfinished, God must have some work for you to accomplish and I only hope that you are able to open your heart, ever so slightly, to be able to hear the voices of the ones that are unable to speak for themselves. Stay cool, dude..look forward to hearing about your ventures.

gonzo

Hey Suty... I did'nt want to go there in my earlier post, but As you will surely remember... we lost six Firefighters her in Worcester not too long ago... I knew 2 of them... Before that tragic event I took firefighters and their jobs for granted... but not any more... the events in Worcester changed how everyone in Worcester thinks about Firefighters and thier jobs...

Others have already said and I agree, hero is an understatement...

Cheers to you and all of your brothers who protect and serve... You have my respect and admiration

[Markster6828]

Hey Suty.....Ever hear the saying that no good deed goes unpunished ? That's some kind of thanks for a helping handout ! You are right...the closer to the edge we get pushed the more we realize just how good it was back up on solid ground. I know you ain't fishing but Hey you still da Man that we all call when the heat gets turned up. Thanks dude Be carefull

Mark