All too often people complain about the cost of police and fire services until they need a cop or a firefighter. Sera and I experienced this firsthand overnight Sunday when we were awakened by my son's screams of huge sparks coming from an empty kitchen outlet closest to the outside panel box when he went there to get a bowl of cereal.
I grabbed my cell phone, ran outside and shut down the breakers to the fuse box while calling 9-1-1 as Sera got herself and my son and our two dogs and mini-macaw out of the house.
New Smyrna Beach firefighters and a police officer responded faster than I could hang up the phone.
It was 25 degrees outside and cold, so Sera and my son herded the pets into her SUV with them while I sent back inside with the firefighters. Thankfully, I was able to avert an almost-certain fire by getting to the panel box when I did. The firefighters said a device they used on the outlet showed it was very hot and told me it was better to leave the power off and find another place to sleep for the night.
At 2 in the morning, we had little choice but to go to Sera's mother's home in Lake Mary, a 45-mile drive.
A "licensed electrician" told me the next day the wiring was faulty. I'll leave it at that in this forum as I try to contain my absolute outrage. Suffice to say, we moved. Immediately!
We literally spent thousands of dollars to get a new place to call home, but there was no way we were going to risk our lives. Thankfully, we have landed on our feet in the same community we love and call home: New Smyrna Beach!
And what an absolute wonderful Christmas we have to look forward to now in a safe, warm and beautiful home.
So next time you see a police officer or firefighter, remember, you could have been in our shoes, or bare feet. They are there when you call. No appointments. No judgments. No hesitation. Just raring ready to put their lives on the line for yours.