Firefighter/author explains his motivation. Check out And a Paycheck, Too! by Will Wyatt
Click here to purchase And a Pay Check, Too! by Will Wyatt
About two months ago we told you about the book And a Pay Check, Too! by STATter911.com reader Will Wyatt. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and it’s a good one to remember as you look for holiday gifts. Will is a veteran firefighter who was born in Louisiana, grew up in New Jersey and has been employed for quite a while by the Village Fire Department in West Houston, Texas.
In October I asked Will what inspired him to write the book. I am finally getting around to publishing his reply. You will notice Will thinks STATter911.com is written just for him. Kind of like the people who get their instructions in life from dogs and other animals that are speaking to them. It gives you some insight into Will’s personality and why I laughed out loud at some parts of the book.
Here’s what Will wrote:
Every so often I am amazed at a local yokel making use of their constitutional freedoms to publicly bash the fire dept. Last year a malcontent made a big stink in California about what easy jobs firefighters have (mind you he lived in a castle and was jetting off to Italy when he made his remarks) I really think Mr. Statter publishes these letters just to see what I will do…Even though I have asked him not to. He knows I will stew on it then write a predictable response to the local paper. Last year I ended up in the California Wine Times or some publication with a rebuttal. I noticed the other day on this website the same thing is going on in Oak Brook, Illinois. So far I have resisted the urge.
This is probably one of the main reasons I wrote the book. I don’t think people really know, understand or can imagine what the average fire fighter in Your Town, USA goes through and does in a typical day.
Times are hard. It’s everywhere. If somebody isn’t laying off fire fighters they are talking about it. The situation in the Northeast is especially bad. Camden, NJ is operating bare bones. Atlantic City, New Jersey is laying off fire fighters and police. Philadelphia has gone so far as closing Engine 8 in Center City. Engine 8 with ties to Ben Franklin and steps from flag- making Betsy Ross’s home. Had John Adams stood up at Independence Hall and said we are closing the Union Fire Company Ben would have probably tied kite string around Adams’ neck. I grew up in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. There used to be an Engine 4 on Sansom St. It closed in the 80’s.
Philadelphia is now doing brown- outs. It makes me think of a real- life episode of Jeopardy. I think it would go something like this; Alex Trebek smartly dressed calls on a contestant to start the round. The contestant- let’s call her Grace- chooses Philadelphia Chinatown for $200. Alex reads the question: “What ladder company is located on 10th Street in the heart of Chinatown and would rescue you if you are trapped on an upper story of a fire?” Grace confidently answers “Who is Ladder 23?” “oooohh” grimaces Alex, “Sorry they are closed today!” “Better hope Ladder 9 or Snorkel 2 are in the house” smiles Alex. Oh well, maybe ‘ol Grace will get a case of Rice A Roni as a parting gift.
