AVFRD : Twas The Night Before Christmas

Ashburn VA

25 December, 2021

9:21 AM

Description

Press release from the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department: Samantha Bailey December 24th, 2021 Twas the night before Christmas and all through the firehouse, All First Responders were resting and ready to pounce. The trucks were all waiting, the ambulances too In hopes of running with sirens and flashing lights that are red, not blue. The firefighters were all snug in their beds While visions of calls danced in their heads. The EMTs with their 12-leads in first aid packs And the Probies in red shirts had all just Settled in for a short little nap. When out in the bay they heard the tones drop, They sprang from their cots With a jump and a hop. Away to the rigs they ran in a dash, Tying boots and grabbing coats Opening bay doors and making lights flash. The moon on the streets Was bright and aglow Thankfully giving the luster of daylight For all in tow. As they raced down the streets the address was double checked While they looked to see if the call was a medical Or a fire, or maybe a wreck. When what to their astonished ears did they hear? It was the cracking of the radio with a Message from dispatch, oh dear. "Go back into service, take the night to rest, All is quiet – the emergency is clear". More rapid than tops they turned those rigs around, Making a U-Turn that was not very slow, nor very quick Because they noticed the roads were dry Not icy, not slick. The chief was radioing them all and calling by name Now engines, now trucks, now tillers, now tower, now ambulances, now firefighters, now EMTs, and red shirts too. Head back to the station the emergency is over, It's finished, that's true. They drove through the neighborhood, Drove into the night. They noticed it was sprinkling snow on the roof, As they pulled into the station to write a report Because when you don't show you have to have proof. First they backed the trucks in And hooked them to the battery port. Took off their coats, and boots saying "Gee that call was short". They went into the break room, They were all wide awake Some grabbed water, some grabbed a cup To fill with coffee or cocoa that was chocolate. They looked at each other, sat silently and still Knowing it could be a long night and decided to just chill. The chief said 'get some sleep" And giving a nod, up the stairs he arose. Cups were put down, and to beds they did creep Across their faces were smiles, Even though they all were a little weary and kind of, sort of tired. Then they called to each other and the neighborhood wide "Merry Christmas to all in Ashburn and to all a good night." (by: Jennifer Horvath, AVFRD Volunteer) Happy Holidays from our house to your house!This press release was produced by the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.