Wednesday, June 18, 2008

News Hounds

Everyone loves firefighters, but in southern California we revere ours maybe a little extra, probably because we need them extra much and they work extra hard.

Sirens on one's very own street bring out the neighborhood. Even a false alarm gives the fire department paramedics an opportunity to show their stuff, and newshounds of all ages a chance to admire them.

10 comments:

John Sandel said...

Thus are we like moths … reminds me a bit of Edward Hopper—he did a night view of a city street, where a streetlamp of this style throws a pedestrian's shadow across the sidewalk like ink. Here, I love the quivering glow; how like the blurred kids, out too late & maybe nervous beside the rude engine.

Dina said...

Really, a very special photo.
There's nothing quite like a red fire engine.

USelaine said...

You suggest it was a false alarm - I hope that's true. My own view of things can be similarly bleary-eyed in the middle of the night.

Knoxville Girl said...

I live a few blocks away from a fire station, so I hear the sirens a lot, and have trained myself not to get up every time I hear them (as long as I don't hear them stop in front of my place). I do like that glow around the streetlight.

Petrea Burchard said...

Out too late, Bernie, but under mama's watchful eye.

Why thank you, Dina.

It wasn't exactly false, Elaine. I guess I used the word for brevity's sake. But everything turned out okay with very little effort.

I know what you mean, knoxville girl. We're near a main drag. It's sure a different sound when they turn down our little street.

Christie said...

We live out in the country, but not too far from the city. We don't hear noise from our quiet little town way out here, but it is nice to have the firefighters close when they are needed! Thanks to all those brave men and women!

Lydia said...

Petrea! This is a great shot. It has the feel of a night 12 years ago in my town when a church a block away from our condo was torched in the middle of the night. We stood with neighbors and watched the towering spire and bell tower crash to the ground. The firefighters were astounding that night, actually saving a large portion of the building. Our summer festival had the annual parade scheduled that day at 10:00 a.m. The firetrucks were in the parade as usual, even after working until 4:00 a.m. hours before. Man, did they ever get a huge ovation from the crowd!
(the arsonist was eventually caught, after burning several other churches in nearby communities - a real nut.)

Irredento Urbanita said...

Sometimes sirens are stressing, sometimes are the sound of help and hope.

Greetings

Valery

Barcelona Daily Photo

Anonymous said...

Great stuff!

Petrea Burchard said...

I hope you're not too far from the firefighters, Christie! Although it's nice to be away from town, isn't it?

Lydia, I love your story. It sounds like your town felt very much as a unit because of those events, and your firefighters proved themselves several times over.

Hi Valery from beautiful Barcelona! That cathedral shot from June 14th is gorgeous!

Thank you, ap!