I woke up early this morning to the sounds of fire truck in reverse. Lying still, I was confronted with the smoke which surely precipitated their arrival, yet I was in that half-in, half-out of sleep state and didn't react strongly. But after some time I decided to check out this emergency outside.
Sure enough, a building on the other side of the block was or had been on fire. I couldn't really tell for the trees between the site and me. I believe the fire was contained by the time I went a-gawking.
But anyway, my point is that on all four streets of the block there were emergency vehicles of all sorts, manned with personnel who gear up for this sort of activity each Friday night. The city of Montreal must have sent 10 fire trucks, 2 ambulances, one interesting all-purpose bus, and maybe one other vehicle.
Everyone was there. This entire episode assured me that if, god forbid, something was ever to happen in the building I occupied, that these people would react with everything they've got to try and pull my sleepy butt from el fuego, le fue, das Feuer, the fire. So a Rave to fire fighters of every stripe in every city, (under)paid or volunteer, man or woman, rookie or vet. Thanks for your rapid response.
- MjE
(not proofed - still sleepy)