8-04-08

Kinda hard to explain this one...........

I know this is a blog about fire calls that I have gone on and some expierences that I've had in the Fire Service. Well, I can't talk about this one right now, Its hard to explain, and I really like turning to friends at 2o2p for support on tought calls, but the rules about talking about stuff like this are hard to get around sometimes.

I found some support in a song from the movie "The Guardian". Its a song from - "Brian Adams" - "Never let go". If you dont know this song and have an extra minute to listen to it or to read the lyrics to it - PLEASE DO. I posted the words below - but you really need to hear the song.

Sorry - I know it sounds stupid, but if you knew what kind of day I had you would understand. "Making a decision on who lives and who dies is the worse one you can ever make".

Thanks for the time to read this,

Copes

Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live?
Can you take what you need, but take less than you give?
Could you close every day, without the glory and fame?
Could you hold your head high, when no one knows your name?
That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say.

We say goodbye, but never let go.
We live, we die, cause you can't save every soul.
Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.

Can you lose everything, you ever had planned?
Can you sit down again, and play another hand?
Could you risk everything, for the chance of being alone?
Under pressure find the grace, or would you come undone?
That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say.

We say goodbye, but never let go.
We live, we die, cause you can't save every soul.
Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.

Never let go, Never let go, Never let go

Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.

We say goodbye, but never let go.
We live, we die, 'but you can't save every soul.
Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.

Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.

Never let go

Good Bye - My Friend

Matt,

Thank You for all you have given us and sacrificed for us. You are a TRUE HERO. You will be missed. Your memory will never be forgoten.

"Good Bye" My Friend

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6868776&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

The Copeland Family

(Andy, Kathy, Austin, Joshua, Connor)

6/23/08 - House Fire

Monday 6/23/08, my crew and I responded to address listed on news article for a lightning strike and house fire. As the news reported we got quick and saved the house from burning down. It was a quick attack and we all did a great job - even one our new probies got his cherry popped (his first fire) and actually got to be on the lead line in. He is the one in the picture on the roof (at top)

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS13/80623008/1030

As for me - I was the lead engine driver that day and really did not get to do any "cool stuff" - I just got to drive fast, get everybody there, and pump the truck. An important job but not so fun like the other guys. It was a good save of the house because we prevented it from spreading to the house from the garage.

Oh ya - did you notice the news reported we were there in 1min - I drive fast - - - ha ha ha

Good Day @ Work

Copes

01/07/08 Suicide by shotgun

My new partner (on 01/08 we changed stations and crews - just a yearly change), and I responded to a attempt suicide at a residence. We arrived and were quickly flagged in by police (on scene). I was the first to enter and found patient in basement with shotgun lying next to him still smoking. Patient was a terminal cancer patient who (im thinking), just had enough with all the pain and decided to just have a good x-mas & new yr.  then end it all. Sad thing was that at the time he did it - all his family was upstairs and he just got up and walked down and put it to his chest and ......pulled.

Really cant get into much else at this time, but can say he was still alive and breathing. We did everything we could and got him to the E.R. Trauma ctr. "still" alive. Which was a miracle itself after 45 min of CPR and other life support  treatment. We did everything we could and we did get a "Good Job" from the trauma surgeon and my Capt./supervisor. patient was prounced dead in hospital after approx. 10 min. Just to much damage to repair that fast to save him.

This was the worst medical I have ever had to date (14 yrs). For my new partner (2 months off probation, 1 yr on F.D.) it was a great learning experince and one he"ll never forget. We had a good debriefing after and I know that there was nothing we could have done differently.

Monday was a tough day for me.

Copes

12/14/07 Fatal Car Accident

http://www.novi.org/news2/2007-12-14c.htm

My crew responded to this accident on Friday and I was on the first engine co. that arrived. It was a tough one and all I can say is we did everything we could. The impact was very hard and even ripped her door shell panel off from the outside, upon impact.

Friday was a tough day. These always suck right before X-mas

Copes