RV on Fire at the Whitethorn Junction (and We Talk About Heroes)

Stock photo by Oliver Cory

Volunteer and paid firefighters piled out of bed and headed to an RV on fire near the Whitethorn Junction about 11:20 p.m. Many of these are the same volunteers that worked five incidents yesterday and several today for no pay.

Nonetheless, once again they are getting out of bed in the rain to put out a fire that they didn’t start and that doesn’t threaten their homes. Not only that but they fundraise for their equipment and train on their weekends. Saving people’s homes and vehicles and lives makes them heroes in most people’s eyes. BUT, to us here at Redheaded Blackbelt, we are touched most by their response in times like these when there is no glory only drudgery. To the firefighters, thank you once again. To the rest of us, remember to drop in as much as you can afford at their next fundraiser.

The first crews were on scene by 11:36 p.m. There they saw a “trailer truck fully involved.” For the next few hours, they’ll be dealing with the mess while most of us are sleeping. And people say there aren’t any angels.

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13 Comments
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MisterVoice
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MisterVoice
7 years ago

If you’re going to praise them as hero’s, it might be nice to also mention their names as well.

Martinman
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Martinman
7 years ago

Very nice. Love that positive energy & reminds us all to be grateful & support these extraordinary human efforts. Doing so much for so little.

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
7 years ago

I retired from a volunteer fire department a few years ago after 39 years of being a firefighter. Believe me when I tell you that it was the best gig of my life and I miss it greatly.
One late night after a very tiring day we were racking the trucks hose bed and getting ready for another call, one of the firefighters said “It’s the price you pay for the life you get”. What a great life it was.
As to the “hero” part, I was never a hero, but I certainly walked among them. If there are any kids out there that want to look back on a great life someday… join a fire department and take the job seriously. Walk among hero’s.

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thanks Kym. You and your blog are one of the things that make firefighting so rewarding. You have no idea how many tears of thanks that I have seen. Thank-YOU, and keep up the good work.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
7 years ago

Erine,my father in law,my uncle worked for the city as a firemen,I have his hat number still,said was the best job,and would do it all over again,may he rest in peace.after the firemen saved our life from our two story house,that’s when my uncle decided to be a firemen!!!cheers

Penny
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Penny
7 years ago

I have a friend that will agree with what you say and is as greatful for the opportunity to be a part of the service as those who he supervised on jobs and those they all preserved by putting out the blazes.
Friend, you know who you are, and I admire your kindness and unfiltered, unbiased nature. Your such a gift to me and others. Thanks, oh… And I’ll see you on Saturday or Sunday,🚒❣

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
7 years ago

Working in the dark,in the water,over a cliff,thru the snow,sleet,hail,thru tears,joy,and laughter our UNSUNG heros.thank you for caring about us all.May God keep his watch over you always!!🌞

Go Volunteers!
Guest
Go Volunteers!
7 years ago

Dealing with fires is the perk of being a volunteer. The real work is having to get up at 3:00 am because somebody is over dosing. Going to medical calls still haunts me. Some places we responded to were safety hazards and this is the persons home. There is a lot of dark shit going on out there in the hills.

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  Go Volunteers!

“Go Volunteers”
I know what you mean, and only a responder can understand. Saving the life a a drug addict, that has put themselves in that position, is hard to understand. Some “frequent flyers”, as they become known, O.D. so many times that you know them by name. It is sad and it leaves you shaking your head. I could only compare the life that they chose to the life that I chose and feel immensely grateful for that choice.

You have no idea how many times that I was sustained by that one simple phrase. “It’s the price you pay for that life you get”. Every First Responder should have that embroidered on their pajamas. And… be grateful, someday it will be all over. I know that there are some over-the-hill firefighters reading this that know what I mean.

Veterans friend
Guest
Veterans friend
7 years ago

Thank you all. Volunteers = heros

d
Guest
d
7 years ago

Thank you for the wonderfully written piece above.
I recently lost my dad who was a City of Anaheim Fire Captain so I know the life they have and the exposures of risk they face. And I know the life the families have for those that serve. It’s not easy. I can’t imagine not getting paid and not getting the health benefits they need not only during but long after.
God Bless Them. They need to know we appreciate them.
I would like to start a trend….when you see Fire or Police or Ambulance go by WAVE HELLO. Just wave, no honking, no yelling…just wave. Let them know we care…and we appreciate what they do. SO START WAVING !