Page 13 - August Banner 2017_Neat

Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
There’s a House…
Wayne Powell
There’s a house in our small
community that’s more than just
a house. Even though it’s a house
right along Main Street, in fact,
many pass it by, never thinking
about its importance.
In some ways, it may seem to be
a house not all that different than
your home. However, it’s a house
that is very different than most
others in Emmitsburg and beyond.
It’s a house where you can hear
the phone—a rather special phone,
it is at that—and you can’t escape
its ring no matter where you might
try to hide, for you always have to
answer it, even at dinner time.
The nature of the chores in this
house are, at times, pretty much
just like everyone else’s: wash the
floors, clean the sinks, dust the
shelves, run the washer, scrub the
toilets, put away pots and pans,
shop, keep records, pay the bills;
yet, it’s a house where training
videos—not DVD or VHS movies—
line the shelves on either side of the
television.
For those who reside there, it’s
their “Home away from Home,”
as they say. And, it’s about the only
www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper August 2017 Page 13
house in greater Emmitsburg where and all that’s in it—especially the sleep, or someone who just can’t
the announcement “fire” does not people! handle working outdoors on
lead to panic. In fact, that term, “fire” Little ol’ fire station number 6 bitter cold winter nights, or for
just means it’s time to go to work. runs with the pace and precision that matter, blistering hot summer
But, in this house, there’s of a beehive. The long-ago afternoons, or perhaps you are
something very special…no, it’s Norman Rockwell-like image of just one of those who needs time
not a collection of photos—albeit, those who inhabit houses like this to ponder, plan, sort, think, re-
some of those old pictures take community’s firehouse no longer sit think, then review your options
the folks back, just like photos in around playing cards or checkers before initiating an action, then this
your albums do—and it’s not the all day—an image of a by-gone era. sometimes hectic pace necessary
computers or the TV’s or even the In fact, sometimes they feel they for the required rapid-fire decision-
super large red machines that fill have enough to keep them busy making may be a bit much to
much of the first floor. No, it’s the even if they never got called out— handle.
people there who make it so special. with training and paperwork, and But, thank goodness there are
The fact that they’re committed fundraisers and paperwork, and those who somehow take all these
to helping others is what makes cleaning and paperwork, vehicle and many other challenges in stride
this house so very special, indeed. maintenance and paperwork, and are willing to do the right
All in all, it’s a pretty amazing and the endless certifications and thing. In fact, a review of history of
place, especially in these interesting equipment checks, and, of course, this region finds that there’s been
times in which we all now live. As in case it wasn’t mentioned, there’s these type of folks here for well
you’ve likely already figured out by all that paperwork, too. over 135 years, who have been, and
now, we’re talking about a house Their radios blare, yet they all still are, there when the community
that is actually YOUR house, too. seem to block out most of the routine calls upon them for help.
Yes, that’s right, the community’s buzz, unless it’s something close or That house, and those in it,
firehouse! unusual or profound; then, yes, they routinely make a difference in the
Those at this house, the listen intently. And, they always lives of others, even those they
firehouse, certainly are “family,” listen for Number 6 to be called don’t know. The men and women
and just like everyone else’s upon when it’s their turn to help of this particular house stand
family, they have some interesting others in danger. They are proud to ready—on a moment’s notice—to
characters, too. Plus, just like do their duty, just like firefighters help when and where needed. And,
you, they take pride in their home in our country have been doing for the rest of us are so very lucky they
more than 375 years—yes, all the do.
way back to Peter Stivincent in New If you would like to better
Amsterdam, or New York as it’s understand the critical role that
called today. volunteer ‘First Responders’ in
What’s amazing is that those in communities just like ours do every
that house do what they do for free. day to help others, I encourage
Yep, no pay! No stipend, no fee per you to watch this superb 5-minute
call, not even an honorarium for animated video (https://vimeo.
preparation time or travel time. And, com/223485932) that tells those
oh yes, they still make house calls! in the community the value of
If you’re a person who doesn’t their volunteer fire and emergency
like to be woken up from a sound services personnel.