Yesterday morning, Sunday, March 8, 2009, I pulled up into the parking lot of Station 12 in Lincoln Park, San Diego at 6:58 a.m. I was led through the gate by a firefighter in turnout gear. She showed me where to park and introduced me to Chris, from the San Diego Fire & Rescue Rural Metro 9-1-1 unit, just getting off a 12 hour shift. He showed me where to put my gear, and went over the compartments on the ambulance with me. Before I even had time to introduce myself to the C-shift crew, getting ready to change the shift over to the A-shift crew (and drop off the bagels I brought as a token of my appreciation), Chris's pager went off. My ride-along was supposed to start a 7:30, but Chris said, grab your gear... let's go. I put on my BSI and rolled up onto the scene of our first call.
I ran the first call with Chris, an EMT, and Colin A. Lewis, a Paramedic. The rest of my shift was with Colin (Paramedic), Bobby C (Paramedic), and the A-shift crew.
I cannot legally discuss details of the calls we were on, but we ran 6 calls in a 12 hour shift (which was actually 7AM - 8:30PM for me... and I loved every minute of it!). We ran calls ranging from adult respiratory to adult cardiac to infant respiratory to an MS patient fall to abdominal pains to an attempted suicide.
I know how firehouses are very much like my old Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at Ball State Univeristy. The crews are very close-knit like family, and they love to mess with the new guy probies and ride-alongs. Put it this way... I didn't fall for the "Oh come on in... were not like that here... we're very chill... just have a seat and read the news paper, and get yourself some coffee..." line when I first walked into the kitchen. And I knew better than to even look into the TV area of the bull pen. I was cracking up when Bobby and Colin told me about the last kid that rolled through here. The guys had him all kicked back with his feet up on the kitchen table, reading a newspaper, and drinking coffee out of the Chief's cup, when the Chief rolled in... I wish I could have seen that!
Anyway, Station 12 is a solid group of genuine people, doing one heck of a great job for the people of San Diego. They have the greatest job in the world, and they don't take it lightly.
I want to thank each and every person that allowed me to make this ride-along happen, and everyone who worked with me... C-shift, A-shift, and especially Chris, Bobby, and Colin on M12.
You guys (and gal) made my whole weekend!
Thanks!
- Dave
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This Hall-of-Fame not only recognizes several outstanding dual sport contributors, but is also intended to raise community awareness of just how close surfing and wrestling really are. 
