Let’s talk about your job in relation to the weather. As I write, it is Thursday. The snow is falling (if you can call horizontal snow "falling") at approximately 2 inches an hour with winds in the 25/30 mph range.
Looking at cancellation locations, many area city halls, schools and businesses have closed for the day, and you most likely have headed home, to get ready for shoveling.
Others, like municipal public works departments are out there doing yeoman work trying to keep the roads accessible and safe.
There is one group in particular I’d like to mention whose "business" is not closed because of the weather, and whose members are not sitting home.
Recently I had the occasion to read (in Foster’s of course) of a fire which took place at a Dover Housing Authority facility for the elderly and disabled.
It was a Saturday night and the temperature below zero. Wonderfully, according to the news report, there was little injury (if you can call a firefighter slipping on the ice, falling and breaking a bone in his arm "little"), and they called in for reinforcements because “the frigid temperatures created a challenge for firefighters.”
These men and women are ready 24/7 and that, as stated above, isn’t just when they are on duty. Working in an area that has temps below zero calls for preparation.
According to Dover Chief Eric Hagman, each firefighter has his or her own method of preparing, but it is all toward being ready quickly to be called to jump into a conflagration that requires additional staff.
Some, such as the chief, like flannel jeans; Others like long johns. But each has a package prepared for immediate access. They all have special gloves, which help protect them from the intense heat and cold (think about that). While fighting a fire in the dead of winter, they feel, said one firefighter, “like we have a suit of armor made of ice.” Recently I rode along on a call with the chief and had my eyes opened about some of the duties of the department. Think about what they do on a call on the highway with cars whizzing by "lookie looing" and not paying attention to driving.
I was astounded at the variety of things they do on any one of their 15 or 16 calls a day. Yup, they average 15 or 16 calls — every one is a challenge. These folks are amazing.
Something else has caught my attention in the past couple weeks.
This time of the year the weather is a bit of a challenge for needy folks; whether they be homeless by choice or necessity or just hanging on financially. We are aware, and a few of us individually and organizationally reach out and help.
This particularly winter is exceptional in its harshness and early spate of sub-zero temperatures. I’m going to mention a few people who are doing things out of their hearts. They are by no means the only caring ones out there, but this will give us an idea of what can be done. They are going to hate me for writing this, for they want no recognition, but I think it is important that all of us out here need to know what we can do.
Peggy Carter noted the other day that she, Rosie Gilbert Forcillo, and Kelly Williamson Tobin went shopping. The picked up paper goods, milk, and other important needed items. They didn’t go home with their stuff, but instead dropped them off at the Rochester Armory on Brock Street. Peggy added, when she got home friend Lori Leinart came over with three huge bags of blankets and blankets that she had picked up from people in the area.
Said Peggy, “If we all do something, even if you consider it small, it makes a difference.”
Here is something else related, that can be of immense help.
The Community Action Partnership of Strafford County has recognized the challenges and in response they have published a list of items needed some of which are: winter jackets, boots for men and women, snow pants for both, gloves and mittens, new sub-zero sleeping bags, sleeping mats for camping, large and extra-large duffel bags.
You can donate gift card(s) you received over Christmas and may not have a great need for — in the amounts of $10 and $25: gas cards; Rite Aid/Walgreens/CVS; Salvation Army; Goodwill; Walmart; Market Basket; Dunkin;, MacDonalds; Wendy’s; etc. And, bus passes from COAST, too.
I think you get the picture. CAP has needs that we can’t even dream of.
Any questions about donations, call 603-435-2500, ext. 8138.
I am thanking you in advance for doing this. It makes you a winner in life!
The above tales give support to my weekly advice — empathy.
Happy New Year again kids. Enjoy!
mrdoverdoins@gmail.com.