Jai Tries: The Fire Department

Written By Jailyn .

For better or worse, I consistently pay my taxes. 

It comes out of my paycheck every month and every month - I’m PISSED.

I love having paved streets. One day I’ll enjoy my social security. And I really love when the snow gets plowed in the winter. But I HATE paying taxes. 

Over the summer when I was deep in the trenches of young adult poverty (more on this later) I started looking for ways to enjoy my tax dollars. If I’m gonna be broke I might as well try and have some free fun.  I started hanging out at the public library, I explored the local parks, I even went on a hike!

But the most exciting use of my tax dollars this summer?

Visiting my local fire departments. 

Ok, I know it sounds strange, but I’m honestly having a blast. Every weekend, while I run my errands I keep my eyes peeled for a fire station. If I come across a station with its bay doors open I’ll stick my head in and ask for a tour.


I’ve done this all summer long and I am yet to be told no. To be fair; I’ve had a couple firemen not so pleased with having to show me around in the middle of the day. But more often than not I’m following a trail of excited firefighters ready to tell me all about their jobs.  

When I’ve told people about my firehouse excursions; everyone always has the same question:

"Is this a ploy to meet men?” 

My answer…

HELL. FUCKING. NO!

I am going to the firehouse to learn more about how the firefighters of Baltimore City and County are doing their jobs. I’m playing pretend and acting out my favorite scenes from Chicago Fire. This -as with all things in my life- has nothing to do with boys!

Let me be silly damnit!

This summer I visited several firehouses. Here are my stats:

  • I’ve been in 3 firetrucks 

  • Tried on 2 sets of turnouts

  • Watched 2 houses get dispatched while visiting

  • Taken 6 full tours

  • Asked countless firefighters if they enjoy the hit television show 9-1-1

While visiting these houses I learned a bunch. Like, firetrucks are not called firetrucks; they’re called engines. And not every truck you see is a ladder truck! Some are normal engines, many carry medical equipment, and all of them are packed with crews ready to help however they can. 

As I frockled through these various stations cackling with my strange nervous laughter, I’m reminded that life is meant to be fun.

While walking through these houses I’ve seen firefighters cooking together, gathered around a t.v. to watch a movie, they’ve helped me jump up into the truck.

In what I can only imagine to be an insanely difficult and emotionally draining career; they are finding time to have fun and laugh.

The Baltimore City Fire Department has reminded me what it’s like to be a silly kid again and for that I am eternally grateful. I hope to pop by more stations as the seasons change and perhaps one day I will find a firefighter that likes 9-1-1.

The Fire Department: 5/5 Stars

Jailyn .