Firetruck chaser

I did something fun last night: I chased a firetruck.

I may have a story out of the deal, too. A news story, that is– I definitely have a story, whether the editor wants it or not.

It was a beautiful scene: a pile of firetrucks and ambulances parked on the edge of the lake during a lightening storm. The speeding fire-boat darting beneath a highway bridge in search of a stranded rafter. Anxious volunteer rescue workers wondering what the boat would return to shore.

The rafter is fine, and thankful for his cell phone.

The spontaneous exercise taught me a great deal. The next time I chase a firetruck, I’ll be bold. This time I stood back, I didn’t want to be obtrusive and I wasn’t sure I wanted to see a dead body or hear a hysterical wife.

I watched. I listened. I finally asked the city fire chief a couple questions and a volunteer fire fighter a couple more. I got some good quotes. I found a little story. I learned a lot. I’ll do it again.