i) It was HOT!

2) Truth is that fire gear is always kept clean because particles that get lodged in the bunker gear lessen the fabric's abiolity to withstand heat. Some rookies like to have dirty gear because they often think it makes them look like 'they have been there and done that'. We not only discourage that attitude but actively deal with the situation by saying "either you and the gear get put in the washing machine or just the gear. Your call." Room temperature in a working fire can exceed 900 degrees. Quite often a firefighter will be taken off the line and made to drink a liter of water or Gatorade to replenish the body's liquid. Basic rule is if you don't feel like you have to urinate then you are beginning to dehydrate. I was in one fire a few years back (four?) and I was feeling fine. Just fine. My crew officer--a tremendous firefighter--looked at me and asked how I was. "Fine, just fine." He ordered me to the ambulance and they started a bag of saline (IV) and I drank some water at the same time. In the hospital they gave me three more bags and I had three or four bottles of Gatorade. I was released at about four in the morning after being there for five hours. When I awoke three hours later I went to pee. I swear all I could get out was less than two ounces. (Two of us ended up in hospital that night.)

And Jeri, I was making a fashion statement and you scoff at that? Et tu, Brute?

It is such a joy to see Bob all nutso about this lady.