The day by day journal of pony new to the fire brigade writing his thoughts as time passes
Red Spark had always dreamed of joining the fire brigade since he was small colt. Constantly running around the house making siren noises and using the garden hose to put out pretend fires around the house. After many years of chasing his dream, he's just graduated from the Canterlot Fire Academy and finds himself as the new pony at Fire Station 55 in Los Pegasus. These writings are his thoughts of the daily life as Firefighter.
I've decided to keep a journal of my time as a firefighter pony, so that I can someday look back at this notebook of mine and remember all the good I've done. Sure I might not be as talented or gifted as a unicorn, or be able to fly like a pegasus, or even be one of those ponies apart of the "Elements of Harmony." But I definitely showed the instructors at the Fire Academy back in Canterlot what an Earth Pony was made of! I was able to pass through the physical portions of my trainings with ease, from hose handling to confined spaces. Granted I wasn't a book smart pony knowing all about that fancy "fire chemistry" but I got by barely passing those classes. But hey all I had to know was, water or smothering foam goes on class A fires or "Ordinary Combustibles", use dry powder for class D or "Combustible Metals" use dry chemicals, for classes B & C, which were " Flammable Gases/Liquids and Electrical Fires" use either gas called Carbon Dioxide, or something like it, and/or this new dry chem they were testing out. I can't seem to remember its name, because I mostly remember it being a random assortment of numbers and letters. But most importantly above all, I had to remember, be calm in any situation, follow orders and above all else. Don't be stupid!
I just wondered where and what station I'd be deployed to now that I was going to be fresh out of the Academy. Hopefully I'd be able get to be sent to Manehatten to serve under most well known Firefighter Ponies in Equestria! Considering they were some of the best trained and worked in a big city and fought against big raging structure fires all the time, and they almost always saved any pony who was in danger, no matter what! Pony... would that be something, myself with Equestria's finest!
So today is my last day in Canterlot, and our graduation was today. It was nothing fancy, alot of ponies in dress uniform sitting in the amphitheater hearing the dean talk and have a guest speaker of the Fire Chief of Canterlot. Of course he did the usual speech of "Oh I'm so proud of all you ponies, and I'm sure you'll all make great firefighters out there!" and the other remarks of support. As if I hadn't heard that speech a million times before, you'd think someone would come up with something more original by now.
Also I wasn't to bent out of shape when I found out that my entire class was being assigned stations today, considering I didn't make many friends here. I did happen to make one friend during my stay though, a female Pegasus by the name of Ember Sky. She was a beautiful pony, admittedly my advances were in vain considering she claimed "she didn't swing that way", but that didn't matter, it was still nice to have a friend while at school. Plus not a lot of the other ponies here were really the friendly type, most seemed headstrong and arrogant. Not what I remember reading in the brochure for the Academy, but maybe I was just the unlucky one here.
But Ember ended up telling me that she had been assigned in the newly opened Fire Station 1 in Ponyville. Apparently they were in need of properly trained firefighter pegasi out in that area to help train volunteers and to properly use clouds. Mostly for producing extra water if a wagon runs out, so they can refill the tank, or be able to use it to help combat fire. Good for her, considering she was a really skilled pegasus, the job would be fitting. She had also asked me to write to her, be a pen pal once I got assigned to my station. I couldn't wait to get the news of where I'd be sent! Here's hoping I get stationed in Manehatten! /)^3^(\ I shouldn't be doing stuff like that... especially if I want to share this if I ever have any kids... I don't want to look silly...
I finally got to see the posting up on the bulletin board up in the hall way. It was the list for every pony who had graduated this semester and what their station was going to be. I can't say I'm too excited with the results. I'm getting sent out to Los Pegasus of all places and not Manehatten! Well... Hopefully it wasn't too bad. They weren't the worst fire brigade in Equestria, thank Celestia, at least I didn't get sent out to Appleloosa. I'm pretty sure they were the worst, I bet they fought fires with dirt and mud out there! Still can't say I'm excited to be going out to Los Pegasus, its no Manehatten, but at least I'm living out my dream a firefighter pony! Maybe if I do well here, maybe I could transfer out as soon as possible! OH and before I forget I have to let Ember Sky know I'm heading out their and I'm going to be at Station 55. I just hope I can catch her before she leaves.
So I had barely caught Ember before she left to Ponyville this morning. I had let her know what station I was going to be at, and she promised she'd write me. She also made me feel like complete idiot also before she left. She ended up telling me that she used that "I didn't swing that way" comment to keep a lot of the stallions away from her while at the Academy and she couldn't let the ruse down for anyone just in case. So she wasn't a filly-fooler! She also promised she'd write often to me and she expected me to do the same, and before she flew off to Ponyville she gave me a quick peck on the cheek. Pony, I felt so awesome. Shame I wouldn't be able to see her for a long while, at least until one of us got enough time off to visit each other. That's ok, something to look forward to! As some of those ponies who use the Equestria Wide Web when playing games together on their computers say "me gusta." I'm not even sure if I was using it right or if it sounded right, but close enough, I know what it meant and that's what mattered. I liked the fact that I might have a filly friend who might be more than that in the future, maybe a special some pony.
Anyway, I looked again at the schedule of when I was going to be sent out to Los Pegasus up on the bulletin board after Ember and I parted ways, to see that I had missed the train out to Los Pegasus! CRAP. Hopefully I could still rush over to the train station and take the 6:45 express there and hopefully still make it in time to my station to start my first day of work! And I hope that if I am late, the station captain forgives me... >_< ok I really need to stop doing these little faces... its really unbecoming of me.
Ok, so after nearly missing my train, and pleading with the train attendant to let me on board. I was able to get the 6:45 express to Los Pegasus. Talk about way to close, even if I missed it, it would have been totally worth it. Considering, I hopefully made some progress with Ember Sky. Even then, it seems like pipe dream, but damn it, I can hope right?!
The train ride seems smooth enough honestly. A lot better than when I originally took the train ride to Canterlot from Tall Tale that's for sure. Granted this train ride was going to be at least two hours long, which is significantly shorter than the 7 from when I originally arrived. So hopefully I should arrive in Los Pegasus roughly around 9:00 at night if things go as planned. Considering I'd still be there early enough, and my first day at the station is tomorrow morning at 8:00. Maybe I could go out and see the sights or perhaps get a little of the night life that I've been reading up on that Los Pegasus is famous for. But should I really go out and party when my first day is tomorrow? Meh, I'd really like to... but I'm sure my first weekend off in town! Definitely!
I still know little to nothing on the station I'm going to be assigned to though. I didn't get any info on the ponies that are currently working their and what their staffing structure is like. For all I know, I might be in a big firehouse with up to 20 ponies, or even down to the single fire wagon groups. Who knows. I'd personally rather work with a smaller team, maybe get to know a couple of them better, and maybe you know. Make some friends out of the whole ordeal. I mean I've heard stories of comaraderie, and firefighters out on assignment treat their fellow firefighters as a second family. It'd be nice and all, but I doubt that would happen, especially with all the stuck up jerks I came across during the Academy.
But no matter, I'm finally doing what a lot of ponies in my family said I'd never be able to do! Take that extended family! You all said I was stupid for joining Canterlot's Fire Academy and that I was throwing my life away! Next time remind me to ruin your Hearth's Warming Eve, when you decide to do something life changing happens to you! Uh oh... I better scratch that out in case any one of my nosy family member's ever finds this when I go home later on in the year.
So after a mostly uneventful night, at my choice to ignore the nightlife. I spent the night at a local Inn that gave a discount rate for firefighters. Admittedly the place wasn't the fanciest, but it sure wasn't the worst I've seen. But the Inn Keeper, was a looker, she was a very cute looking pony, purple eyes, dark purple mane, and a light red coat. She had flirted with me a little bit when I arrived, and we stayed up talking about the city and what I was to expect here. She also was very excited that I was new to the Fire-Brigade, I had to stretch the truth a bit. I'm sure she wouldn't have talked to me otherwise if she knew I was just fresh out of the Academy. But she insisted that on my days off I come visit her, and said "Who knows what can happen." I wonder what she means by that... Maybe next time I get some time off, I'll find out. Either way it be nice to make a friend who's a local out here.
Anyway, I'm here at the station a little early this morning waiting for my new crew to arrive. It looks like they had just gone out on call. Man just missed it! I wonder if they are out fighting a big fire, or if they are rescuing ponies from some hazard. I could always ask them when they get back. But would asking them make me look bad? Considering I'm new. Maybe I should just let them mention it later in passing then ask questions. I never felt so excited and nervous all together at once. The word anxious comes to mind a lot here. I really wonder what type of crew I'm expecting, considering the fire station is relatively small from the looks of it. But they have another fire wagon here... sitting in the bay. But the entire crew is gone.
I hear the siren of a fire wagon coming this way! Maybe its them! I better put this away in case they ask what this is all about. Hopefully they don't find this and think I'm a nerd or anything, if it is them.
So those sirens I heard earlier was the station crew arriving back to the fire house. I quickly composed myself to introduce myself to the team of 5. They had all looked like they had gone through hell earlier, covered in soot and dust, but that didn't stop some of them from being friendly, and having a sense of humor. I also got to see how the station crew structure was, and luckly I found out where I was.
First off there was Captain Blue Flame, he was an earth pony, it was very friendly and welcoming of the crew, granted he was the leader so morale had to be his biggest thing, well other than leading. He insisted that ponies called him Captain Blue or just Blue. He had also given me the day to go meet my new crew mates, so hopefully no big calls would come in that I would have to miss! So no firefighting until tomorrow! If we get lucky enough to get calls...
Anyway his second in command was Lieutenant/Engineer Hose Wrench, he was a Unicorn, or as he perfered as he perfered Enngineer Wrench. Of course he's main job was service the fire wagon's equipment and tools and make sure everything worked once on the scene. On top of that he was one of the ponies who pulled the wagon. Very quiet type, just gave his simple hoof shake, gave his name and went on his way. I mostly was filled in by Captain Blue about his other duties.
Of course no fire crew is without its Firefighter Medic, she was a unicorn by the name of Gauze Patch. She perfered to be called by her title but the Captain and the other firefighters seemed to give her the nickname of Patches. It seemed to irritate her a bit, but she seemed to shrugged it off. She seemed to be friendly enough to me anyway.
The last two were just the basic firefighter ponies. The first was Firefighter Smoke Breather, he was a pegasus, seemed to be a joker of types, but doesn't know where to stop, he immediately gave me the nick name of "FNP" which everyone in the crew responded in a laugh afterword. I'm not sure what this was, but I'm sure it was meant to be cool... I think. He perfered to just be called Smoke. Talk about a lame nickname.
The last firefighter on the team was Firefighter Flash Point, he was another earth pony on the team. Seemed to have an attitude on him. Just kinda shrugged me off after the "FNP" remark from Smoke, he just introduced himself, didn't have a nickname for himself, and made a snide remark about me being the new blood and that I'd probably wash out soon enough. I wonder what bit him in the hind quarters.
The crew was an interesting mix. A bit of friendly with... a bit of what I remember from the academy. Well hopefully that would change as time goes on. Well at least I could hope so, and of course I'm apart of that team as the new firefighter, and the "FNP" apparently. I really wonder what that means though...
-Red Spark
P.S. Really Smoke? "FNP" Means Fucking New Pony? You asshole you barely know me! I see he has a sense of humor... No one else seems to mind... hmm not even Captain Blue. I'll just shrug it off and hopefully can get him back for it later.
So even though I started "working" yesterday at my new home, yes I'm suprised that they allow firefighters to stay here at the fire station over night in the event of any emergencies happening at night. Its optional for me, but considering I don't have any other place to stay, I guess I can stay here. Well I guess thats why they call it a fire house, but since I am staying overnight I do get paid extra bits for doing it!
I also spent most yesterday just getting to know the crew and familiarizing myself with the fire station and the fire wagon. Didn't seem like much work to me, but Captain Blue insisted that I do this. Then again he is the Captain and... I guess he knows best?
So it seems like a pretty slow day, so I spent most of today just checking my new equipment that was given to me. Engineer Wrench mentioned to me that I should always check my gear daily, and make sure its in the top of its game. I probably should keep notes on my gear every so often just to see how my gear progresses as well as I do.
Firefighter Turnout Gear Checklist:
Firefighter Turnout Coat: Checked for lacerations, none. Inner liner no lacerations and buttons to attatch to outer coat still formed and attatched.
Firefighter Turnout Pants: Repeat notes for coat, note, tail feels scrunched up in the pants, might have to cut my awesome tail. :(
Firefighter Leather Hoof Boots: No lacerations, checked for any punctures on bottom of the soles and sides, none. Thank god for metal plating on those things. I wouldn't want a large nail piercing into my hoof. Yikes!
Firefighter Helmet: Strap still in good condition, no major damage on the outer shell, inner cushion shell slightly weathered. Goggles for helmet scratched, need to replace to see better. Need to place station number on helmet and place name on back of outer shell.
Firefighter Hood/Shroud: Looks like dumb fabric, but Medic Gauze Patches says its fire resistant and helps cover your neck between your helmet and coat. Odd I don't remember them mentioning these in the academy, must be something newer they are using out in the field. Better safe than sorry.
Good, thats finally over, now hopefully we get some calls throughout the day. Otherwise Captain Blue says we will train on the slow days and today is being really slow. Really? More Training? I just got out the academy! I want to go fight me some fire! I'll write back later once training is over... I really don't want to train, but its the Captain's orders... Fuck >_<