Too Close to Home

As some of you have heard or know a Captain of the Asheville Fire Department was killed fighting a building fire and his partner was rushed to the burn center.  Since Thursday my brain has not stopped turning. Thinking of what would happen if something tragic like this happened to Jonah, such a hard and horrible thought. I have realized things like this not only bring all firefighters together but also bring their families together. Several Firefighter wives have contacted me and we have helped to comfort each other with the thoughts that have been running through our heads.  

As some of you know or have heard several years ago Jonah was working in Charlotte holding C spine on someone in an accident when the Jaws of Life failed and cut open his head. We were still living in Columbia and there was a bad ice storm. I got the call but had no way to get to him. Below are some pictures of his injury.

This picture shows he was wearing his helmet and he still was hurt

you can tell in this picture how swollen the left side of his face was

Of course those who know Jonah know that he wanted to get cleared for duty 2 days later and didn't want to rest and take his pain medicine.. This injury seems so small compared to loosing a life.  Jonah has a blog that he has started about firefighting.. Here is an excerpt talking about Captain Bowen..

"As all of you should be aware on Thursday, we all lost a brother firefighter and a family lost a husband, Father and friend.  Captain Jeffrey Bowen of Rescue 3 in Asheville was killed tragically at a working fire at an office building in the hospital district of town.  I also just confirmed that he was an alumni of the Fayetteville State Fire Science program where I am a professor.  I had him as a student in at least one class so this one hits too close for comfort.  Every time there is an LODD, I always pause to think about the tragedy, and I immediately become curious as to what happened.  I always want to learn from it, especially as a company officer so that I don't ever have to experience an LODD first hand."

I guess Jonah is right unfortunately loosing an officer in the Line of duty teaches other departments what they can do to improve. It still doesn't make the thoughts of how dangerous Jonahs job is, but to him it isn't just a job, its a career, something he has always wanted to do as a child, its his way to serve others, and a way of life. Several people have posted "the firefighters prayer" on Captain Bowen's facebook page.. I will leave you with it because it truly resembles what many firefigthers think when going to work each day.