I fought the law...and the law won.

[StayBack500FT]

Now, never let it be said that old "Stay Back" isn't a good sport about things. I have....on occasion...been known to make fun of certain people or situations here on the message board. Today I can only make fun of myself. I got into a fight with a skinny, 8' tall, big-headed dude and I lost!!!!

Need more info?? O.K. After yesterday's tornadic activity in our area, we were summoned to do a variety of good deeds ranging from rescue operations all the way down to traffic control. As a well-trained, dedicated, decorated officer I am forced to make difficult decisions that sometimes place personnel in dangerous settings. I have always said that I'd never ask a firefighter to do something I wouldn't do myself...so as a display of heroic bravery I took it upon myself to step forth from my lofty officer's seat in our engine and tread perilously into the dark unknown to upright a STOP sign, so that motorists would have something to run through as they rubbernecked at all the fallen trees and structural damage. After carefully bending the sign to 3/4 upright, my wet gloves failed to hold their grip and TWWWWAAAAAANNNGGGGG!!!! the savvy old veteran took one for the team!! From 0 to 60 in less than a minute, I had a face full of sign. After treating my broken tooth and multiple facial lacerations the guys from the engine company started working through my series of new nicknames. Some have even referred to the "Daffy Duck -- Spin, Dodge, Twirl, Parry" sequence to which his bill is bent to vertical after trying to navigate a staff.

Incident critique???--- DON'T punch the sign if this happens to you, it only hurts your hand. Thank God the cameras weren't around for this one!!

[MOTOWN88]

Reminds me of the time I tried to beat a hydrant to death with the wrench only to smash my knuckles against the bonnet. I wanted water and the friggin thing wouldnt give it up so I thought a little street justice might persuade it. MOTOWN-0 HYDRANT-1

[PuffyNPFD]

Hope the face and the chiclet heals nicely. Didn't expect the stones not to get broken for this one did ya? Hope you feel better.

[NJFFSA16]

I hope you're okay....but, in all honesty...you failed to follow instructions that were "posted" right in front of you....


S-T-O-P

[Steamer]

I don't mean to laugh (that's a lie), but I couldn't breath for laughing. I was ROTFLMFAO. I saw that whole thing in my mind with absolute clarity. Then as I'm climbing out of the floor and back into my chair, I read your post MOTOWN, and back to the floor again. I did the same thing once. It didn't work for me either. Hydrants can be really bull-headed sometimes.

In all seriousness, I hope your OK StayBack. Damn, that had to hurt!

[1835Wayne]

TO ALL WHO SEE THESE PRESENTS,GREETINGS. KNOW YE THAT REPOSING SPECIAL TRUST IN THE FIDELITY AND ABILITY OF KEEP BACK 500 FEET,I DO APPOINT THIS FIREFIGHTER AS TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CRUSTY OLD JAKES. I DO THERE FORE STRICTLY CHARGE ALL FIREFIGHTERS TO LAUGH AND POINT WHEN HE IS ON DUTY!

SIGNED:
1835WAYNE
I.A.C.O.J. OVERHAUL
CHARTER MEMBER

P.S. PUFFY: would you add your credentials to the endorsement of this fine (HE HE)old jake???

[SPFDRum]

To quote the late, great Chris Farley: "Oh, that's going to leave a mark..."

[Bones42]

W.S.U. is forwarding a doctorate on Traffic Control after reviewing this fine display of tactics.

[StayBack500FT]

Thanks Puffy

NJFFS -- Next time I'll walk around and read the front of the sign!! Thanks!!

Steamer-- Thanks ....ummmm....I think???



Nicknames are ranging from Gene Simmons (bloody mouth) to my personal favorite....Octagon!!

[SilverCity4]

(StayBack's FD) Standard Operating Guideline

Post Disaster Emergency Road Sign Repair

1. Establish command.

2. Consider requesting EMS to standby at scene.

3. Personell should wear full gear, including helmet with chin strap fastened and visor in the down position.

4. Command should establish an operation perimeter of at least 1 1/2 times the height of the street sign to be repaired in all directions. Only those personnel directly involved in the street sign repair should be inside the operational perimeter.

5. One member should be designated as the "sign straightener". This person will be responsible for actively straightening the sign.

6. At least two other members should be designated "helpul advice givers". Their role will be to advise the Sign Straightener on what they think are the best tactics to use, as well as to act as a Rapid Intervention Team in the event that the Sign Straightener needs to be rapidly removed fromt the operational area.

7. Should the Helpful Advice Givers need to render assistance to the Sign Straightener, they should make every effort to stiffle giggles stemming from the Sign Straightener's misfortune until the Sign Straightener has been removed from immediate danger.

8. In the event that the Sign Straightener is rendered unconscious, the Helpful Advice Givers should make every effort to come up with a REALLY good nickname for the Sign Straightener by the time he regain consciousness.

[StayBack500FT]

Silver City --- I couldn't have said it better myself!! BRAVO brother!

[lady_in_turnouts]

StayBack- ROFLMAO

I'm laughing with ya brother, not at you Seriously, hope your ok.Might take a while for your pride to heal though

Motown--dont ya just hate it when the hydrants decide not to play along?

SilverCity--excellent SOG's!

Boy I love Mondays on this forum,ROFL


Lady.

[N2DFire]

StayBack - I too am sorry to hear about your unfortunate "run-in" (pun intended) with the afore mentioned stop sign.

Additionally, I just wanted to commend you for following one of my favorite philosophies.

As you go through this crazy game we call life, If you can't stop and laugh at yourself - someone else is going to do it for you.

Or

Laugh and the world laughs with you - Cry and the world laughs AT you.

[JTL]

STOP IT! Your killing me!

Facial reconstruction due to hard impact with traffic safety device. Ouch!

[LadyCapn]

My god StayBack, you may just be responsible for a whole new set of NFPA Standards being written...........

Thank you for sharing your misfortune, it made everyone elses day

[bke]

OSHA: "How did this accident occur?"
"Um, well, er, um,..."
OSHA: "Okay, how do we prevent it from happening again?"
"I will think of something as soon as my head stops hurting."

ROFL -- I give it five stars!

Thanks for sharing the story S.B.500. A speedy recovery to ya and I think the guys on your engine should at least buy you a beer !

[FF.1205]

In keeping with SOP's I have one question where was the Safety Officer during your misfortunite incident?

I will tip the leather to you for leading by example theory and sharing your story.

Another way you could take it is lawenforment's way of getting back at us for doing their job...lol j/k with ya Bro and and the cops.

Glad your all right it happens to the best of us.

GOD Bless FDNY and All of the Lost brother's and their families.


FTM, PTB, RFB

[StayBack500FT]

All I know is that I've gained far too much respect for the common housefly that manages to struggle away after being swatted.



Safety Officer????? I think he was falling out of the rig laughing!!

[martinm]

You all being in the land of the free and opportunistic lawyers...

Who's suing who first??!!

Is the sign for being manhandled without prior permission, or Stayback for being set upon without warning and clearly malice aforethought!!

I bet someone could make a case.

Seriously, best wishes for a speedy recovery Stayback. Although I may have to post this in my crewroom as a warning of the perils associated with what we over here call "street furniture". (no theyve never looked like sofas to me either).

Stay Safe

[FD28]

Thank god that it wasn't a yeild sign ....I've heard that they can make FedQ2 if it hits you just right