Feasting at the firehouse has meant so many different things
throughout my career in the fire service.
In this installment of “Hittin’ the Hot Spot”, I will recall the third
of three stories about fighting firehouse famine. I am sure there are more unique stories about
food in the firehouse than there are firehouses, and I encourage you all to
comment about some of your favorite memories about the people and procedures
that helped feed the folks in your station.
The new Central Fire Station of the TSVFD boasts a full
residential kitchen, and occasionally the appliances get used to create entire
meals for groups of 2 to 50. The common
gathering consists of about 8 people, career, volunteer and support members
alike who pool their funds together and turn a grocery run into a “home-cooked”
meal. In the warmer weather, Grill 85 is
often the appliance of choice for cooking up chicken, burgers, and dogs for a
main course. Cooler or rainy weather
usually forces the menu to something pasta based, or stovetop/oven cooking.
For a while, there was a breakfast program that grew into a
local gathering of neighboring fire, police, EMS, and family members on Fridays.
The food was both yummy and scary. Kinda like sausages, you really shouldn’t
watch how it is made. That is all I am
going to say about the quality and healthfulness of these delicious meals. The last time I questioned something this “chef”
was a part of it started a snowball of political bullshit that ultimately led
to my premature departure from the ranks, but I digress…
The most fascinating meal related occurrence at the 85 House
involves ordering take-out. We are
blessed to be in a region that is full of great food choices. We have multiple steakhouses, sub shops, fast
food, pizzerias, restaurants, and Chinese options. In fact, one of the kitchen drawers contains an
organizer of local menus, sorted by category, and a folder full of (mostly
expired) coupons for deals. This leads
to the biggest problem… decisions, decisions, and decisions.
I swear, if we were this decisive on the emergency scene,
lives and property would be lost. So
many factors go into the decision of WHERE to get food; delivery or pick-up,
what we had yesterday or earlier today, how much time do we have, how much
money do we have, how hungry are we. On
more than one occasion, I nearly starved to death waiting for the decision to
be made; and often resorted to pulling rank and turning the dining democracy into
a command decision. One time, I left,
got something to eat on my own, returned, and the menus were still lying on the
counter as the crew mulled over their options.
Once the “where” choice has been made, each individual must
choose the “what” from the menu. Most
guys have a favorite dish from each locale and this part goes quickly. But some people, who shall remain nameless,
have commitment issues, and it takes them
f o r e v e r to decide. Then there is the challenge of assuring everyone in the place has a chance to get in on the order. The building is spread out, with lots of places to be isolated. Usually an announcement over the PA system clears the “orderer” from any erros of omission. A list gets generated, and someone gets designated to “make the call”. This is a position of great responsibility, as there are often questions about the orders that this individual must be ballsy enough to answer on behalf of the individual diners.
f o r e v e r to decide. Then there is the challenge of assuring everyone in the place has a chance to get in on the order. The building is spread out, with lots of places to be isolated. Usually an announcement over the PA system clears the “orderer” from any erros of omission. A list gets generated, and someone gets designated to “make the call”. This is a position of great responsibility, as there are often questions about the orders that this individual must be ballsy enough to answer on behalf of the individual diners.
Now it is time for financing the mission. Normally the counter looks like the kitty of
a high-stakes poker game as everyone antes-up.
Occasionally there are deals struck like pro sports draft days (can you
spot me, and I will pay you later), or payback times (You already owe me from
yesterday). The poor slob gathering the
money must keep an accurate account of the money, lest he be chastised
throughout the meal. Of course, NO ONE
ever has exact change. This can benefit
the runner if the participants feel generous and “round up”, or cause
bewilderment if everyone cheaps-out on the tax or up-charges for extra
items.
Finally the order is placed, the money is compiled, and
someone walks in saying, “what are we getting for dinner?” This is where things get tricky. If the guy is a douche (every house has a
few), we usually tell him a little white lie like, “we already ate”, and so he
goes off to get his own meal. If the
meal organizer is feeling generous (or if he thinks the kitty is slightly underfunded)
he can often work a deal to let the newcomer get in on the order in exchange
for becoming the designated runner. Late
arriving regulars to the process are often invited to participate; “We just
ordered food, you want in?”
"Food's Here!" announced over the station PA brings the sharks to the day room. These moments are sometimes stressful, as everyone sorts through the bags of goodies, looking for their grub. The runner and caller keep their fingers crossed that the order is complete and accurate, and sigh with relief once everyone has found their food. Except for that one guy sitting at the counter looking like a lost puppy, everyone is happily munching away. When did he arrive? Did we forget to ask him?
No matter what the intent of the participants, someone gets
left out, forgotten, ignored, or overlooked.
It is not usually intentional, but it is uncomfortable just the
same. That’s when karma strikes in the
form of a dispatch. “Ha, bitches, now
you food will be cold and soggy when we come back! It serves you right for being so indecisive
and thoughtless!”
Group clean-up usually goes very quickly, then there is nothing
left to do but wait for Mr. Softee to bring us cold, sweet desserts!