Prior to entering the fire service, I never gave much thought as to who showed up at emergency scenes. People showed up, did their jobs admirably, and moved on.

Once battling the same oil well fires in the Middle East, now they fight another common foe.

The Yenta returns with the help of photographer Ron Jeffers for more fire service hilarity.

"If something happens and you're in a fire, it doesn't matter who's next to you, as long as you can trust they can get you out," said Airman 1st Class Emily Beckerjeck, a firefighter with the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron.

I had already lost my partner, battled a raging lunatic, took a few old ladies to the hospital, and treated a diabetic. Lunch waited at the station, but I just couldn't seem to get there. At 2:30 the clouds parted, and a little sun shone through.

In a small Connecticut town, a week or so after the 25^th, I sat with my cousins, celebrating what we call Serbian Christmas. It’s a lovely day, a time for extended family and friends to share whatever is left of the holiday spirit, relax, break bread and carry on some of the traditions that my cousin, Dennis’s family took with them from the Orthodox Christian Church celebrations in Serbia.

We're returning from the repair shop, driving through the West End on our way back to the North Main Street Fire Station. I'm in the tiller cab of Ladder 4, sitting on top of the world and watching it go by as we roll through the roughest neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island.

Three Rhode Island writers--including Fire Life regular columnist Michael Morse--have been named recipients of prestigious MacColl Johnson Fellowships from The Rhode Island Foundation.

We're returning from the repair shop, driving through the West End on our way back to the North Main Street Fire Station. I'm in the tiller cab of Ladder 4, sitting on top of the world and watching it go by as we roll through the roughest neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island.

"Attention, Engines 10, 11, 3; Ladders 5 and 1; Special Hazards; and Division 1: a still box."

I kept my ears tuned to the radio while I chopped some onions, waiting to hear from the 10s. It didn't take long.

Sometimes, they wake up dead. In one of the many nursing homes scattered throughout Providence, Rhode Island, an elderly woman succumbs to her disease. Morning rounds are livelier this morning, as the secretary is instructed to call 911.

We begin most shifts now hoping for quiet. It wasn’t always that way; years ago, thousands of calls ago, we would come to work and hope for all hell to break loose. Experiencing living hell tempers the spirit, and thoughts of heroic rescues are replaced with hopes for quiet.

Not only have the members of C-shift at Auburn Station 33, helped support several foreign children, but soon they will be able to claim a young man’s medical education as their contribution to helping someone in need.

Deborah Stanley has been with the Fort Worth (TX) Fire Department (FWFD) for 28+ years. She currently holds the rank of engineer. In early September of this year, Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The initial surgery was successful, with good news that the cancer had not spread.