Some say the world will end with fire.

Others say with ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those that favor fire.

But if I had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate,

To say that for destruction ice,

Is also great and would suffice.

Robert Frost



"YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID" - Ron White



"Good things come to those who wait, but, only the things LEFT by those who hustle." - Unknown (at least by me)



"Life is wonderful, without it you are dead." - Hy "Pete" Peterson - Park City and Kenecott Miner



"Don't worry about those people in your past---there is a reason they are not in your present." - Unknown



"Life's tough - it's even tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne



"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary!" - Vince Lombardi



"If you aren’t living on the edge, you’re probably taking up too much space.” ~ Attributed to Jim Whittaker by Doug ‘Swani’ Swantner, Alaska Smokejumper and Air Attack Base Manager (Ret.)

About Me

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I am married and have seven children and twenty grandchildren. I retired January 1, 2010 after working 39+ years for the Forest Service...NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE HAS BEGUN!

Monday, February 9, 2009

TO GO OR NOT TO GO -

Today I got notification that if I was interested in going to Australia to help out with the wild fires then I would need to get my passport right away and send my notification in that I am willing to go for 30 days plus travel. I feel horrible that the fires are killing so many folks down there and I know I have the training and skills to help out a bunch if I went but I have a terribly hard time just saying YES.

I love going in the states to these fires and look forward to it every single time. When the phone goes off the adrenaline pumps pretty good. I get to see the folks I have recruited over 20 plus years on teams and it is sorta like an extended family. So why not go? When folks go to these foreign assignments they all go as single resources. When you get there it is likely that you will not know anyone else working the incident and you will not truly understand the fire behavior you will see or really how to deal with it or how to get the things you need to fight it. To me it is a fear of the unknown - YES FEAR - that appears to be keeping me from throwing my hat in the ring - that and the fact that I really don't want to go for thirty days plus travel.

Sometimes I feel like I'm not helping when I should be but guess that is just the way it has to be this go round. Maybe if they really push for help I will reconsider but for now this is my decision - NOT TO GO!!!

8 comments:

Delirious said...

I think it would be the experience of a lifetime! I think you should go for it! :)

Amber said...

it would be pretty cool to get to see Australia though :)

Native Minnow said...

I don't know, maybe you ought to go. I think those people really need help right now, and you've certainly got the expertise to give them that.

~Kris said...

I would probably want to go.
If you are worried about Mom, she can come stay with me.
I have a guest room!!!
And she would love my kitten...

Lindsay Logic said...

I would definitely go, because it's an opportunity you probably won't get again. Mom can always come stay with us girls. ;)

Dee Ice Hole said...

It is really interesting that the Doctor diagnosis today puts a whole new outlook on my life---so should I leave and go to these fires or stick close and not miss out on the new page in my life?

Lindsay Logic said...

Go to the fires. It's an EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! :)

Dee Ice Hole said...

The list is finally out---they are only taking three from the whole US that do my job so it won't be me. We are only sending 60 right now though so it may increase.