The days at the St. John Fire Department have been a little slow lately. We had a few accidents a few weeks ago, but lately we haven’t had many calls to respond to. This is a good thing. Obviously that means no body needs our assistance, and the down time give us time to train and learn more about our profession.

Our job seems to change weekly. There is always some new technique to learn, new standards to follow and training to do with our fellow brothers. We need to know how all of the tools and equipment work and how to use them it an any situation that might come up. We train every day, whether its hands-on or computer-based. We are always trying to be better at what we do.

We also have to train our bodies. With the summer heat and humidity, we have to be ready and able to handle the heat outside and inside a structure if it catches on fire. It is very important that we say in good physical shape, hydrate and be ready for any situation that might arise. A few weeks ago my partner and I were swimming across a canal to get to a motor vehicle accident with two fatalities and on our way back to our station we stopped to help a lady who was driving down the street when a kitten fell from under her car into a storm drain. You just never know what you are going to do during your 24-hour shift.

All of the firefighters in St. John Parish love what they do and look forward to coming to work

Hopefully it stays quiet for a good long while, so we can learn more and get in better shape.

Michael Heath is president of the St. John Professional Fire–

fighters Association.