I don’t know where to begin with my trip to Fire Station 30. Arriving at the fire station, I pulled into the drive only to see the doors opening and the Battalion Chief’s SUV leaving. Ashley and I were almost disappointed thinking the interview would be canceled. When the two other trucks (which I was told is the wrong definition for these huge machines on wheels) stayed in the bay.
We were escorted inside and introduced to a group of fireman playing a board game. Yes, a board game. There was a television, but I did not see any video games units or any firemen sitting at a computer or using any other type of electronic devices. The firehouse was clean for it to be occupied by a group of men, and they all seemed to be getting along famously.
I was so nervous going into this interview. I didn’t know what to expect of Lt. Dean Murad because I had only spoken with him on the phone. When he arrived to greet me, I was surprised to meet a handsome, extremely polite and charming man who has been on the job for 25 years. Once Lt. Murad started to talk, my nerves calmed down and I relaxed to do the interview; that’s how comfortable he made me feel.
The room we conducted the interview in was the control room. He went on to explain the different transmissions going over the radio, and if the red phone went off, we would be going on a run; unfortunately it didn’t happen. He did say most of their runs happen at night.
He was not shy about answering any questions or parting with any information he thought I could use. And thank goodness for that because some of the information I had was so wrong. He explained the operation of the Pumper and the Ladder also referred to as the “apparatus” and the tools they use to extract victims or to check for hotspots in walls or roofs. My god, I didn’t know there were so many different ladders or different types of hoses used.
I’m probably going to get a lot of ‘rolled eyes’ when I say this but, being a firefighter is definitely a man’s job. I can’t imagine why women would want do to this job. Firefighting is a physical job and to handle the situations faced inside a burning structure and the physical strength it takes to carry a victim or all that heavy equipment that has to be hauled up stairs or over structures is something different. Generally most women who would apply for this job would be in excellent physical shape, but aren’t built to handle the type of physical strength needed to be a firefighter. This is one job I would say let the men handle.
The firemen stationed at this particular firehouse are often referred to as Supermen. Jerome "Jerry" Siegel the co-creator of Superman lived not far from the station back in the day. Since this firehouse is very active and has achieved many awards over the years, the station has a reputation of being occupied by supermen and has a “Superman” symbol posted outside the door. Their fire hoods have the Superman logo imprinted on them and after hearing some of the stories, I agree they are supermen.
This fire station is also not located in the best part of Cleveland but these firemen are respected by the neighbors and they in turn look after the neighbors. While listening to some of the medical runs they respond to, I found myself shaking my head. The calls they must respond to are sometimes hilarious. Fireman Gordon told a story about responding to a stabbing victim that had me rolling and Fireman Steve told of a touching story regarding an elderly couple married for 62 years. I think I will save those stories for a book I’m planning based on the men I met today at Fire Station 30.
Public Service Announcement:
What I’m about to say is just my opinion and is not meant to demean other professions. But people in the City of Cleveland that are blessed to be employed or have steady income should pay close attention to levies that are presented when it comes to the Fire Department. These men and the few women who risk their lives to save a life should be equipped with the best technology and equipment on the market. Cleveland is a big city with a lot of residents. Sure the economic lines are drawn depending on which part of the city you live. The Westside of the city may be better off in some areas and residents are more apt to take care of their property causing less fire emergencies, but that division should not matter when it comes to who gets what. The suburbs do not fight half the amount of fires that the City of Cleveland does yet they are housing all the latest equipment and newest engines that might only respond to one or two runs that actually pertain to fires out of a week.
If there is a fire and lives are in jeopardy, Cleveland firefighters should have the equipment necessary to do their jobs. With better equipment and replacing outdated equipment, such as radios with earpieces for their helmets, communication inside burning structures could easily be transferred and maybe save more lives. I don’t have the statistics on this and I am only using my theory, but I’m just asking Cleveland residents to think about it.
To clarify that I am not saying this just because I spent time with these men today and listened to the woes they face with equipment failure, but I have been a victim of a fire. I would not be here today or two of my siblings if it weren’t for firefighters. I respect these men, and out of all the service departments I’ve interviewed, they were the most willing to talk to me about everything.
In my closing, when the other guys joined us at the end of the interview, they were so happy and alive. One can only imagine what they feel after battling a house fire or responding to unstable individuals that bring harm to the innocent, and are not able to save such victims. Lt. Murad touched on that and said in order to deal with it, they have to talk about it; it can’t be kept in or it would tear them apart; after all they are human first.
Just like we look forward to our weekends, their days off are spent unwinding by throwing back a few beers or engaging in fun with friends and family like the rest of us, but unlike the rest of us, these guys don’t leave when the clock strikes 5:00, and can’t hit a happy hour bar to take the edge off. They stay on their shift for 24-hours and sleep with one-ear open waiting for that next call whether it’s a working fire or an intoxicated man that’s fallen out his bed.
I want to thank Fire Company 30 for a great interview and being so open and honest about what you do. I appreciate you and go to bed knowing if I need you, I know I’m getting the best. God bless you all.
We were escorted inside and introduced to a group of fireman playing a board game. Yes, a board game. There was a television, but I did not see any video games units or any firemen sitting at a computer or using any other type of electronic devices. The firehouse was clean for it to be occupied by a group of men, and they all seemed to be getting along famously.
I was so nervous going into this interview. I didn’t know what to expect of Lt. Dean Murad because I had only spoken with him on the phone. When he arrived to greet me, I was surprised to meet a handsome, extremely polite and charming man who has been on the job for 25 years. Once Lt. Murad started to talk, my nerves calmed down and I relaxed to do the interview; that’s how comfortable he made me feel.
The room we conducted the interview in was the control room. He went on to explain the different transmissions going over the radio, and if the red phone went off, we would be going on a run; unfortunately it didn’t happen. He did say most of their runs happen at night.
He was not shy about answering any questions or parting with any information he thought I could use. And thank goodness for that because some of the information I had was so wrong. He explained the operation of the Pumper and the Ladder also referred to as the “apparatus” and the tools they use to extract victims or to check for hotspots in walls or roofs. My god, I didn’t know there were so many different ladders or different types of hoses used.
I’m probably going to get a lot of ‘rolled eyes’ when I say this but, being a firefighter is definitely a man’s job. I can’t imagine why women would want do to this job. Firefighting is a physical job and to handle the situations faced inside a burning structure and the physical strength it takes to carry a victim or all that heavy equipment that has to be hauled up stairs or over structures is something different. Generally most women who would apply for this job would be in excellent physical shape, but aren’t built to handle the type of physical strength needed to be a firefighter. This is one job I would say let the men handle.
The firemen stationed at this particular firehouse are often referred to as Supermen. Jerome "Jerry" Siegel the co-creator of Superman lived not far from the station back in the day. Since this firehouse is very active and has achieved many awards over the years, the station has a reputation of being occupied by supermen and has a “Superman” symbol posted outside the door. Their fire hoods have the Superman logo imprinted on them and after hearing some of the stories, I agree they are supermen.
This fire station is also not located in the best part of Cleveland but these firemen are respected by the neighbors and they in turn look after the neighbors. While listening to some of the medical runs they respond to, I found myself shaking my head. The calls they must respond to are sometimes hilarious. Fireman Gordon told a story about responding to a stabbing victim that had me rolling and Fireman Steve told of a touching story regarding an elderly couple married for 62 years. I think I will save those stories for a book I’m planning based on the men I met today at Fire Station 30.
Public Service Announcement:
What I’m about to say is just my opinion and is not meant to demean other professions. But people in the City of Cleveland that are blessed to be employed or have steady income should pay close attention to levies that are presented when it comes to the Fire Department. These men and the few women who risk their lives to save a life should be equipped with the best technology and equipment on the market. Cleveland is a big city with a lot of residents. Sure the economic lines are drawn depending on which part of the city you live. The Westside of the city may be better off in some areas and residents are more apt to take care of their property causing less fire emergencies, but that division should not matter when it comes to who gets what. The suburbs do not fight half the amount of fires that the City of Cleveland does yet they are housing all the latest equipment and newest engines that might only respond to one or two runs that actually pertain to fires out of a week.
If there is a fire and lives are in jeopardy, Cleveland firefighters should have the equipment necessary to do their jobs. With better equipment and replacing outdated equipment, such as radios with earpieces for their helmets, communication inside burning structures could easily be transferred and maybe save more lives. I don’t have the statistics on this and I am only using my theory, but I’m just asking Cleveland residents to think about it.
To clarify that I am not saying this just because I spent time with these men today and listened to the woes they face with equipment failure, but I have been a victim of a fire. I would not be here today or two of my siblings if it weren’t for firefighters. I respect these men, and out of all the service departments I’ve interviewed, they were the most willing to talk to me about everything.
In my closing, when the other guys joined us at the end of the interview, they were so happy and alive. One can only imagine what they feel after battling a house fire or responding to unstable individuals that bring harm to the innocent, and are not able to save such victims. Lt. Murad touched on that and said in order to deal with it, they have to talk about it; it can’t be kept in or it would tear them apart; after all they are human first.
Just like we look forward to our weekends, their days off are spent unwinding by throwing back a few beers or engaging in fun with friends and family like the rest of us, but unlike the rest of us, these guys don’t leave when the clock strikes 5:00, and can’t hit a happy hour bar to take the edge off. They stay on their shift for 24-hours and sleep with one-ear open waiting for that next call whether it’s a working fire or an intoxicated man that’s fallen out his bed.
I want to thank Fire Company 30 for a great interview and being so open and honest about what you do. I appreciate you and go to bed knowing if I need you, I know I’m getting the best. God bless you all.
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| Firefighter's of Station 30 |
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| Ladder-30 |
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| Otto, Lt. Murad, Gordon and Steve |
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| Ladder -30 |
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| Ladder-30 and Lt. Murad |
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| Cockpit of Pumper 30 |
