Fire Fighter Story

My First Fire Experience

by Katherine S. Watson

Manger of Avlis Publishing

(This took place in 2003 when Kathy was living in Round Rock, Texas)

When I decided to join the Sam Bass Volunteer Fire Department a couple of months ago, I didn't realize that my very first fire would come when I was off duty, and that I would be the first person to respond.

Here is what happened:

On Thanksgiving evening, my niece and I had just gotten home from my brothers house. We clicked on a movie and were sitting there eating popcorn and enjoying the show. All of a sudden I heard my male dog (Toby - that's him in the picture below) bark at the back door. I didn't pay too much attention to him until he barked again. This time, I also heard a crackling sound. I figured it was probably just a raccoon.

So I got up, went to the back door and opened it, and saw that my neighbor's porch was on fire! It was so windy that night that the flames were spreading fast. I immediately shouted to my niece “FIRE!” and she ran to the back door. I grabbed my water hose and went over the fence to help calm down the fire. But it was just too windy and I wasn't able to get it all with my water hose. The hose was too short for me to reach the whole porch area, and the fire was heading that way. I jumped back over the fence into my yard, grabbed my phone, and dialed 911.

While I was calling 911 I told my niece to go next door and let my neighbors know that their porch is on fire and that it was spreading. Once I got off the call, I rushed next door to check on my niece. As I approached my neighbor's door he opened it. I told him that his porch was on fire. As he turned to look out the back door, we could see nothing but flames. He shouted to his aunt and uncle “Our Place is on Fire!”

My niece told me she rang the door bell about 10 times before he opened it. They were all passed out and knew nothing about the fire. Then 911 called me back and told me that the Sam Bass Fire Department was on their way. The dispatcher asked me to tell everyone to get out of their place.

As I ran to their door, the lady and her child came running out….coughing from the smoke. I grabbed the child and I told her to go sit on the curb by my place. I made sure they were okay. I handed the little boy back to his mother and told her I was going to get the rest of the people out of her place. By then, the fire department showed up.

I told them what had happened and helped them get the hoses down from the fire truck, just the way I had been trained to do. It was cold that night and all I was wearing was shorts and a t-shirt. I was so worried about my neighbors that I didn't even bother to bundle up.

I could just imagine what would have happened if I hadn't been home that night. Our place would have burned and my neighbors might have lost their lives.

Several days passed and I hadn't seen my neighbors. On Friday, December 5th, I was home cleaning when I heard the door bell ring. I figured it was probably a package being delivered. I looked out the window but didn't see anyone. So I opened my door their stood a cute little Santa Bear with a card inside its paw. I opened the card and this is what was said:

I want to thank you so very much for you saving our lives that night. I still feel a little stupid about the whole thing. I wish there was something I could do to repay you. God Bless you!

~Pam, Cole, Dan, & Jimmy

It was very nice of them to send me a card. I never expected anything from them. I did what I was trained to do. And I'm very thankful that the Lord led me to be a part of the Sam Bass Volunteer Fire Department.

The Lord protected us and our place. Praise the Lord!

Training to be prepared for any emergency