Post by FireGurl on Apr 15, 2006 12:37:51 GMT -5
"So fighting fire is your heart's desire and a fireman you'd like to be?
Then sit right there and I'll try to be fair about a job you'll do for free."
His stare was cold but he didn't seem bold then he extended his hand with a
grin,
He went on to say in his soft-spoken way, "My name is Arnold Quinn."
"I'm Deputy Chief and it's my belief that my men are the best of the best,
Because they'll spring from bed feeling half dead and forget about their rest.
Hard they've trained and they'll never complain about this job as tough as hell,
And at the end of the day they collect their pay by knowing all is well.
Can you wake late at night to join the fight, of a fire that makes Hell seem
cold?
Or feel no shame when you leave your son's game to make the fire trucks roll?
Will you give it your all and answer a call to save a man you may not like?
Then at Christmas time with a spirit sublime collect for his boy a bike?
Will you rush from your wife and a warm family life to save a burning field?
Or at an accident scene place yourself between man-and-fire like a human
shield?
Will you always care and never despair at a fire that is raging wild?
Or leave your job to walk and trod in search of a frightened child?
If your answers are yes then it's time I guess to ask you once and for all,
To sign right here and never have fear while answering the fireman's call.
And before you go you need to know my health is in some harm,
That it won't be long 'till I answer the song of the fireman's last alarm."
Well I tried to be brave hearing news so grave from a man who'd walked so tall,
But try as we might he lost his fight and my tears began to fall.
From time to time while on the fire line I see in the smoke his grin,
And I can still hear him say in his soft-spoken way, "My name is Arnold Quinn."
Arnold Quinn, Bedford Deputy Fire Chief, Ontario Canada. 1931 - 2001.
Then sit right there and I'll try to be fair about a job you'll do for free."
His stare was cold but he didn't seem bold then he extended his hand with a
grin,
He went on to say in his soft-spoken way, "My name is Arnold Quinn."
"I'm Deputy Chief and it's my belief that my men are the best of the best,
Because they'll spring from bed feeling half dead and forget about their rest.
Hard they've trained and they'll never complain about this job as tough as hell,
And at the end of the day they collect their pay by knowing all is well.
Can you wake late at night to join the fight, of a fire that makes Hell seem
cold?
Or feel no shame when you leave your son's game to make the fire trucks roll?
Will you give it your all and answer a call to save a man you may not like?
Then at Christmas time with a spirit sublime collect for his boy a bike?
Will you rush from your wife and a warm family life to save a burning field?
Or at an accident scene place yourself between man-and-fire like a human
shield?
Will you always care and never despair at a fire that is raging wild?
Or leave your job to walk and trod in search of a frightened child?
If your answers are yes then it's time I guess to ask you once and for all,
To sign right here and never have fear while answering the fireman's call.
And before you go you need to know my health is in some harm,
That it won't be long 'till I answer the song of the fireman's last alarm."
Well I tried to be brave hearing news so grave from a man who'd walked so tall,
But try as we might he lost his fight and my tears began to fall.
From time to time while on the fire line I see in the smoke his grin,
And I can still hear him say in his soft-spoken way, "My name is Arnold Quinn."
Arnold Quinn, Bedford Deputy Fire Chief, Ontario Canada. 1931 - 2001.