Written and Submitted by Thomas Gaines

My day had just started as a regular normal work day, because I was busy driving in heavy morning traffic. I was in my Fire Department Shop Truck, and I was planning to visit several different fire stations during my work day in the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

I was one of the three different emergency fire apparatus mechanics hired to service and maintain the fleet of Fire Trucks, which included Pumpers, Aerial Ladders, Grass Units and several Chief and Fire Marshal Cars.

Also, we were responsible for all kinds of other equipment such as gasoline powered exhaust fans, chainsaws, Jaws of Life power tools, portable power generators and even stationary natural gas powered emergency generators located at each fire station.

As the Field Service Mechanic each morning, I would be given a list of called in requests for repairs at various fire stations…