Surface to mass ratio, pyrolysis, and Barbie bikes...

I went into Station 1 today with strict orders from my wife, if there is a vacation spot open, take it. When I got to work, I shaved, ate breakfast, and listened to what the off going crew had done during the shift. A car accident, a fire alarm, and an unknown type of alarm going off at a local fast food establishment within 5 min of one another. Fire trucks were scrambling all over the city at 2 am. When they got to the fast food restaurant, a loud alarm was emitting from the dish washing area. I guess the dishwasher has an automatic soap dispenser, and it was low. I told them it must be better than the scene from Clerks 2, you know, with the donkey... Never mind.

So, there was a slot open, and I took it. I got home at ten past eight with the paper, and Starbucks. Dunkin Donuts would be better, but we don't have them here. Too wet and foggy to take the kids to the zoo, which was our plan. Instead, allot of TV, we read some books, had lunch and they took naps. I went out to mow the lawn, and the wife kept on reading her new book, the sequel to "Twilight." Ughh... I was almost through when she came out with the boy under one arm and the pager in her free hand. "So much for a day off" I thought. I got in my truck and headed to the fire station. I knew we would have alot of help because there were two pickups behind me with blue lights on. I turned into the station and got my gear on in the parking lot. I took my time, after all it was only a stubble field fire. When I got inside, I ended up driving our big tanker, and we got turned around a mile or so from the fire. I helped clean up and came home.

The kids were up from their naps when I got home. I finished the lawn and took a shower. We started dinner, chicken parm with shells and garlic bread. After dinner, the pager hit again. This time it was a large wood pile on fire. I went to the scene, and found a large pile of very seasoned wood on fire. The home owner was trying to contain it with a power washer. We extinguished it, or drowned it, whichever way you look at it, and went home. It was funny, a piece of plywood separating the pile down the middle actually kept it from engulfing the entire pile. I made sure to let the new guys see this, and explained the concept of surface to mass ratios as it relates to burning materials. Look it up...

When I got home after clean up, my daughter was waiting for me in the driveway on her new bike. We went for a short ride up the street and back. I got to have a day with my kids, a few minor fires thrown in, and I cut the lawn. It was a good day.