It's Finally Friday!!

I have a secret……..I hate telephones!

I don’t mind my cell phone because most of my important and necessary calls are either made, or received on my cell phone….even though I do more texting than talking. I never, ever, ever, answer my home phone. It rings very seldom, but when it does ring, it is normally a solicitor or telemarketer trying to sell me something. At work, I really hate answering the phone. Even though I don’t have to answer it that much, I am just not a phone person. If I am required to, I will answer it without hesitation, but if it is not required, forget it. Most of the time when I am working a radio and doing other business-related stuff at my desk, the ringing phone is a distraction to me….and I hate distractions. If answering the phones was the ONLY thing I did, it might be different, but at work I always have to multi-task and answering the phone is low priority for me.

Well, I finally made it to Friday and the afternoon is going by quickly. I am so ready to get out of here. I am in for a busy weekend. This evening, Karla and I are going out to eat (which we usually do on my payday) and then I am going to work on my truck, getting it ready for the National Weather Service festival tomorrow. I now have front (very bright) clear LED lights, a blue wig-wag strobe light on my dash, a set of bright blue flashing LED lights on the back cab of my truck, red flashing lights in my tail lights and this evening, I am getting a miniature light bar for the top of my truck. I have my REACT two-way radio, my spotlight, my flashlight, my first-aid kit, my CB radio, my reflective vest and badge and my handcuffs. This evening, I am going to wash my truck and clean it out so it will be nice for the car show tomorrow.

I have had several people ask me, “Keith, what kind of stuff do you carry in your truck for REACT?” Are you ready for this? In the cab of my truck, I have my REACT two-way walkie-talkie, my CB Radio, a cordless spotlight, a high-powered hand-held flashlight, a pair of handcuffs (?), my REACT whistle and my reflective vest W/ my REACT ID badge on it. Behind my seat I have several old rags, a reflective vest, a reflective back belt, 3 pairs of work gloves, two hard hats (one for REACT and one for the City), a tool box with tools in it, a first-aid kit, my regular license plate (I have an Emergency Management specialized tag on my vehicle, along with a badge on the tag), a four-way lug wrench, two jacks, my REACT handbook and my book on storm chasing. All of this stuff stays in my truck 24/7. I also have two magnetic REACT signs for the doors on my truck, a magnetic sign on the back of my truck that says, ”this vehicle responds to emergencies,” two reflective magnets on my tailgate and a magnetic sign that says “Certified Skywarn Spotter.” Plus, I have REACT decals on my back window, a National Weather Service storm spotter sticker on my back window and a “I support the OKC Police Department” sticker on the back window. Yep, that’s my truck, also known as the Sossmobile.

Tomorrow is the big festival at the National Weather service in Norman and then we are having our REACT team meeting afterwards at the OZ Safe room business office/warehouse. I am really looking forward to it.

http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association/home

http://www.okcentralreact.org/