Saturday, August 2, 2008

i don't know about you...

but whenever i hear sirens i get this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. i'm just sure it's someone i know. and, sometimes it is. we live in a small town and eventually you do know someone who's waiting on the other end of the sirens. but sometimes not.

my dad was on the fire department when we were growing up and we learned more than enough safety tips from him...like don't trust the crossing guards at a railroad crossing-- stop and see for yourself if there's a train coming...and how to be safe with fires & things that start fires.

which brings me to one of my safety-related pet peeves. (yes, i know i have a long list of pet peeves, but this one is at the top of my list.) if there is an emergency vehicle traveling towards you (in either direction) with it's lights on and sirens-a-blaring, PULL OVER. GET OUT OF THE WAY. you getting to the gym or a hair appointment is superceded by the fact that the ambulance behind you needs to get to an emergency situation. that fireman who is honking his fire truck horn at you is trying to get to a fire...or a wreck...or some other emergency. maybe it's your house that's burning down. maybe it's someone you know that was in a car wreck and YOU are holding the emergency personnell up as you drive seemingly unaffected by the sirens blaring and horns sounding. move your frigging car out of the way.

and when you finally do pull over and you're sitting in your car stewing about how this is making you late, say a little prayer that the people on the other end of the sirens are ok and that the emergency personnell trying to get to the wreck or fire arrive safely and quickly and are able to do their job well...then pray that you will be able to get your head out of your ass and have more sense and patience when it comes to putting someone else above yourself for 60 seconds so the amulance or police car or fire truck can get through.

2 comments:

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

And can I just add, don't run the person over in front of you that DOES get over or try to pass them when you get back on the road and cause another wreck. Thanks for the reminder!

It's funny how many things you can have in common with people you have never met, in a distant kind of way. My dad was not a firefighter, but I dated on and one of my hubby's college friends is the chief of the city we live in. I have the upmost respect for firefighters and police officers. Can you tell your dad "Thanks" for me!

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

I agree! I always get out of the way ASAP. What a good idea to pray for the family on the other end. Whenever I drive down the freeway and see the memorial crosses at the side of the road I always pray for those left behind and ask God to let them know someone is thinking about their loved one. I will start praying when I hear sirens now too!