Great story. Highlights the need for community. As your story demonstrated so well. People stepped forward on their own initiative to help the family. I cannot tell from your post whether the fire department was at fault for the loss of the whole structure back in NH those many years ago? What I do see is how you are forward leaning with CERT in that preparation is needed prior to the arrival on ones doorstep and a big part of that prep is an informed pool of volunteers.
The "fire Department" is actually an all volunteer Mutual Aid organization that preceded CERT by decades. They have to travel from their homes to the "barn" where the fire engine is kept. Then, provided someone remembered to plug in the block heater, they would bring the truck to the closest fire pond and fill the truck with water. In rural New Hampshire, that is just how it gets done.
Great story. Highlights the need for community. As your story demonstrated so well. People stepped forward on their own initiative to help the family. I cannot tell from your post whether the fire department was at fault for the loss of the whole structure back in NH those many years ago? What I do see is how you are forward leaning with CERT in that preparation is needed prior to the arrival on ones doorstep and a big part of that prep is an informed pool of volunteers.
The "fire Department" is actually an all volunteer Mutual Aid organization that preceded CERT by decades. They have to travel from their homes to the "barn" where the fire engine is kept. Then, provided someone remembered to plug in the block heater, they would bring the truck to the closest fire pond and fill the truck with water. In rural New Hampshire, that is just how it gets done.
Thank you for your wonderful, thoughtful comment.