Independence Day

Most people will know that the 4th July is Independence Day across the Pond. As well as being an important anniversary for our American cousins, the date also holds fond memories for me. You see I was promoted to the giddy heights of Leading Fireman (the then correct term) on the 4th July 1986. I have always thought of that date as my Independence Day. Trying to gain promotion from the mass of firefighters was never going to be easy.

I had two written examinations to pass before I could proceed to the next bit. I struggled with the theoretical examination and managed to pass one paper and to fail the other. So for the next twelve months I worked really hard to understand that which I previously could not grasp. The examinations came around and I passed the paper. Which was all well and good, except I went and failed the paper that I had passed twelve months earlier. Then I met Mrs B and her Dad. A lovely man, the Dad that is, and Don set me on the straight and narrow. I remember living in our flat in Maindee in Newport South Wales, when I opened the results letter from the Fire Services Examinations Board after my third attempt at the Leading Fireman theoretical examination. I also remember all the whooping and shouting when I read that I had passed both papers.

This was all well and good, but in many ways it was also only phase one of the process. It simply meant that I was now eligible to sit the practical examination. Which was no mean task, as it involved detailing and controlling other firefighters undertaking physical drills contained in the Manual of Firemanship Drill Book, along with convincing several examiners that you could explain accurately and to a great level of detail two items of equipment selected by the Board. Which meant understanding technical notes, having working experience of the selected equipment, and grasping the detail in yet another Manual of Firemanship Book about equipment. But it didn't stop there, as other Manual of Firemanship Books contained this and that detail about those or other pieces of equipment and you had to know all of that as well. The thing is, I passed first time. No fluke mind you, simply sheer hard work and determination to succeed.

So there I was, now qualified for promotion to the rank of Leading Fireman. Only qualified mind you, there was no guarantee that I would ever get promoted. Then on Independence Day I was shortlisted along with four others for one vacancy at New Inn. And to be absolutely blunt about it, I was the underdog. There were four front runners of which one of two were certain to get it, and I was there for the ride. I went in first and after the interview I was ushered into a separate room. One by one the others joined me. In my ignorance, when the senior officer came in and called out my name, I truly thought that I was getting a bollocking. Hey ho, congratulations and all of that. The panel with the Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Elected Members deemed me suitable and I was duly appointed.

So you see; Independence Day means different things to different people, and not just in the United States of America. I hope that you had a lovely day, as lovely as the day I had all those years back, and again on the 4th July when I relaxed, reflected, and enjoyed time with family and friends. It was a great day, as indeed the Fourth of July should always be.

Expansion and busy bees

Yep, it may be a shrinking world, but what really gets me is that there is so much going on.

If Facebook is anything to go by, then Jeffers Ghana had a great adventure in part of the airport the other day. Lucky for him that he was trying to pay some import duty and not trying to accompany a friend through to the departure lounge. They don't like that sort of thing in Accra. You only get past the armed guard if you are flying that day. Pilot, Stewardess, or someone with valid travel documents.

But the parcels bit seems a tad more relaxed than the people bit. Electricity and back up generator failure meant lowering an electrical cable out of the window to hook up the supply from somewhere else. Jeffers then popped off to get some petrol to help with starting the standby generator. Gosh, Health and Safety would have a fit back in the UK. People with petrol, cables out of windows, hooking up to a supply from goodness knows where and in whatever condition. The worrying thing about this story is that it all appears to be so matter of fact. As if it's an everyday occurrence to lob the cable out of the window and to go off hunting for petrol. Well I suppose that in some ways it does beat hunting for tigers. Maybe the mid day sun had got to everyone. Indeed when I first read the story, I sent a message, enquiring if Jeffers had changed jobs.

And there was me, thinking that I was a busy bee. You see I have been pottering around outside for a few days and hence the lapse with the Blog. Well, I suppose that the fine sunshine here in Wales was always going to lead to some tidying up in the garden. Mmmmm, almost enough space for me to build an outdoor model railway. Well, maybe not, as Mrs B will have something to say about that idea. Still, I'm in her good books as along with the tidying I also managed to complete a few of those DIY tasks that us men, seem to forever put off for another day.

With it all looking so nice, I wonder if I can convince Jeffers and Tammy to pop over from Africa to enjoy our warm weather and Welsh hospitality? Now that would make for a good 2011.