Here at Feeding The Fire we like to say that we are real firefighters in real firehouses cooking real food. Well sometimes we are reminded just how real it can get.

On July 3rd we went to River Grove IL to cook a meal with Chief Dewey; he had invited us to come over so he can demonstrate how he makes his incredible Buffalo Chicken lasagna, and you know… the thing I like best about making this show (beside eating great meals), is all the friends we make along the way. The guys in River Grove are no exception: just a nice, friendly group of firefighters. One of the guys I met there was named Al. He was a little camera shy but a really nice guy and we got along great. The very next day, the fourth of July, Al was on duty at a Chicago firehouse and was responding to their fourth call of the day, an attic fire, when conditions changed very suddenly. Al ran out of air, became disoriented and had to be helped out of the building by another officer.

He suffered severe smoke inhalation and was put on a vent in the ICU for a few days. We are very happy to say he is doing fine and will make a full recovery, but this was another reminder of how dangerous being a firefighter is, and why all of us here at Feeding The Fire choose to celebrate America’s bravest all year around--not just after a disaster.

In the fire service we are in the business of saving property and lives, but sometimes it is one of our own that needs our help. So when you see a firefighter, give him a smile, or a friendly wave. But if the lights are on and the truck is coming down the street, pull over and give them some room. Their job is important, and for someone, every second counts.

Thanks again for watching our show. Stay in touch with us through our website, or on facebook, so you won’t miss an episode. Speaking of new episodes, we should have the River Grove one published around August 1st.