A close one!

In 2010 there were 85 on-duty firefighter deaths. Kansas had 5. There were only four other states that had more on-duty firefighter deaths. The majority of deaths that occur are related to heart problems namely heart attacks. Trauma is the next leading cause of firefighter deaths. As a persons age increases, so do the odds of injury or death.....makes sense. In the fire service it is often said that it takes 10 years to make a complete firefighter. By this time, most firefighters are well into their thirtys and many into their fortys. The percentage of firefighter deaths below the age of 40 is 23%. That means that I and many others are approaching that "critical age"....okay, so maybe I am now in that critical age. Several years ago my brother was working a fire when the floor gave out sending him into the basement. He lands on a couch...(ironic, just where he spends a lot of time!) his crew was able to get a ladder to him and assist him out without injury. Several months later while working an attic fire I fell through the ceiling landing on my stomach. I didnt tell Tami until I got home and that was only because I knew the Chief would be stopping to check on me (wasn't hurt so why cause the worry?) Well, Kip took another fall this past Saturday. A few scans, lots of pain meds and he is resting at home, sore but fortunate for a hard head. We love our jobs, we love our crews we work with. Not a better group of men! Fear has a way of putting life into perspective. You consider the what ifs. We need that from time to time....just wish it didn't hurt so much. Proud of you Kip, proud of your crew, couldn't ask for a better big brother. I love you much.