Time and time again I am amazed with the amazing collection of people here on Calgary Puck. Your generosity is truly amazing!
A little background, I was a full time firefighter with the Fort McMurray fire department for seven years. I met my wife there and made many lifelong friends. I owe a lot to the city. Reluctantly, we moved back to St John's to be close to family and seeing what happened there has been devastating to me. Many of my friends who are still with the fire department have lost everything in the fire and are still on the front lines fighting to save what is left of the city. I briefly spoke to one of them tonight and he told me that the firefighters have been working 20 hour shifts with a four hour rest period at Mac Island since Sunday night! I really can't say enough about what a tremendous amount of pride I have for these individuals and how much I wish I could be there helping them.
One funny story to relate though, back in about 2006 one of the firefighters on my platoon in fort mac who was a die hard oilers fan created an account on Calgary Puck and called himself "kipperyoursocksoff". He began posting crazy and insane trade rumours about all the flames players which all the oilers fans at the fire hall found hilarious... Subsequently CP mods banned him, blocked the ip meaning I couldn't log in at the fire hall to read the forums..... I figure he's probably earned some forgiveness!
Here are some pics he sent me of them fighting the fire last night around midnight, not sure what part of town this was.
Oh and put me down for $500