Friday, December 20 2002

By Rick Ryckeley
Fayette County Fire & Emergency Services

Twas the night before Christmas, and everyone knew

The kids gobbled dinner; sweet tea and hot stew.

Smoke detectors hung on the ceilings with care,

Standing ready to shout, "Get Out! Fire! Beware!"

Stockings were hung far away from the fireplace,

But we had our escape plan ready just in case.

The children were safe, behind closed bedroom doors,

The Great Pillow Fight continued on well past four.

Me in my Batman cape; The Wife in her halo,

Had just gone to bed, after eating some Jell-O.

With cat, Poof, sleeping ­ purring at my feet,

The windows were sealed against possible sleet.

Suddenly air horns and sirens pierced through the night

They woke me up, getting closer. Oh my, what a fright!

O what could it be? O what could have gone wrong?

As it turned out, I didn't have to wait long.

With all the noise outside, I jumped out of bed

Tripping over the cat, and then hitting my head.

I ran into the lamp, it fell down and it shattered,

"What's all that noise?" I thought, "What could be the matter?"

Out on my front lawn, what did I seeOh dear

Eight, burly firemen in red trucks and their gear.

One was giving orders, and wore a white hat,

He was pudgy and round; okay, a little fat.

In a moment I knew that it must be Chief Lance,

'Cause I heard him shout, "Send me an ambulance!"

He called the men round him and called each by name,

Told them what to do and when he called them; they came.

"Bobby and Rick, Ed and Fred ­ stay in pairs,

Get all your equipment 'cause we're going in there.

Mitch and Steve get the kids out, help Billy and Joe

Hurry now, hurry it's time we must go!"

"We'll put this fire out 'cause I got command

It won't take long till this fire's well in hand.

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