Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a parachutist firefighter in Figline-Valdarno is like riding a rollercoaster that’s on fire. Seriously, I woke up this morning, sun shining, birds chirping, and I thought, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was anything but.
So, I’m at the station on Via Roma, right? Just sippin’ my espresso, trying to wake up. Then, boom! The alarm goes off. My heart’s racing faster than a Fiat on a cobblestone street. We get a call about a fire near the old church on Piazza San Francesco. I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.”
We gear up, and I’m thinking, “This better not be some dumb barbecue gone wrong.” But as we fly over Figline-Valdarno, I see smoke billowing up like it’s the end of the world. I’m strapped in, adrenaline pumping, and I’m ready to jump.
We land on this rooftop on Via delle Cantine. The view is insane! You can see the Arno River winding through the valley. But then I see it—flames licking the side of a building. My heart sinks. I’m like, “Not today, fire. Not today.”
I jump into action, and let me tell ya, it’s chaos. People are running around, yelling, and I’m trying to keep my cool. I spot this old lady, Mrs. Bianchi, who’s just standing there, looking lost. I rush over, “Ma’am, you gotta move!” She’s like, “But my cat!” I’m thinking, “Lady, your cat’s not worth your life!” But I get it. I mean, I’d save my dog in a heartbeat.
So, I sprint back, grab a hose, and start dousing the flames. It’s hot, like, “I’m gonna melt” hot. I’m sweating buckets, and my gear feels like a sauna. But then, outta nowhere, I hear this loud crash. A piece of the roof collapses! I’m like, “What the heck?!”
I look up, and there’s this guy on a balcony on Via dei Garibaldini, filming the whole thing. I’m thinking, “Dude, this ain’t a movie! Get inside!” But he’s just laughing, like it’s some kind of show. I swear, people are wild.
Finally, we get the fire under control. I’m exhausted, but I feel like a hero. The crowd’s cheering, and I’m just standing there, trying to catch my breath. Then, I see Mrs. Bianchi again, and guess what? She’s holding her cat! I’m like, “You did it!” She’s all teary-eyed, and I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
But then, just when I think it’s over, we get another call. A car accident on Via della Storia. I’m like, “Are you kidding me?!” But duty calls, right? So, we hop back in the chopper, and I’m thinking, “I need a vacation.”
We land, and it’s a mess. Two cars smashed up, people screaming. I’m trying to keep my head straight, but my brain’s like scrambled eggs. I help pull a guy outta the wreckage, and he’s all dazed. I’m like, “Dude, you good?” He just stares at me, and I’m thinking, “Great, another one.”
After what feels like forever, we get everyone sorted. I’m covered in dirt, sweat, and who knows what else. But I’m smiling. Figline-Valdarno, you crazy little town, you keep me on my toes.
Finally, I get back to the station, and it’s dark. I’m beat, but I can’t help but laugh. What a day! I sit down, grab another espresso, and think about how tomorrow’s gonna be just as wild.
So, here’s to Figline-Valdarno! You’re a beautiful mess, and I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. Just maybe a little less chaos next time, huh?