Man, what a day! I swear, being a parachutist firefighter in Trebisacce is like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinking, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I grab my coffee at that little café on Via Roma. You know the one? The one with the best cornetti in town. I’m talking flaky, buttery goodness. I’m halfway through my espresso when my radio crackles. “Fire in the hills near Contrada San Francesco!” Oh great, just what I needed. I slam my coffee down and sprint to the truck.
We get to the site, and it’s chaos. Flames licking the sky like they’re auditioning for a horror movie. I’m thinking, “This is gonna be a long day.” My buddy Marco is already suited up, looking like a superhero. I’m like, “Dude, you ready to jump?” He just grins.
So, we gear up and head to the chopper. The view of Trebisacce from above? Breathtaking! The coastline, the beaches, the whole vibe. But then, bam! Reality hits. We’re here to save the day, not sightsee.
We jump out, and it’s like diving into a furnace. The heat hits you like a brick wall. I’m trying to focus, but all I can think is, “Why do I do this again?” Then I see it—an old lady on her balcony on Via Nazionale, waving her arms like she’s trying to flag down a plane. I’m like, “Lady, we’re kinda busy here!” But I can’t help but feel for her.
We start dousing the flames, and I’m sweating buckets. I mean, I’m drenched. My helmet’s slipping, and I’m cursing under my breath. “Why didn’t I wear the other one?” But then, outta nowhere, a gust of wind shifts, and the fire starts creeping toward a house. My heart drops.
I yell to Marco, “We gotta move! NOW!” We sprint over, and I’m thinking, “This is it. This is how I go.” But we manage to get the fire under control. I’m high-fiving Marco, feeling like a champ.
Then, just when I think it’s over, I hear a kid crying. I look around, and there’s this little dude, maybe six years old, standing by a tree on Via dei Pini. He’s lost his dog. I’m like, “Seriously? A dog? Right now?” But I can’t just leave him.
So, I tell Marco to keep an eye on the fire, and I go on a dog hunt. I’m calling out, “Fido! Rover! Whatever your name is!” I’m running through the streets, and I swear, I must’ve looked ridiculous. But then, I hear a bark!
I find this scruffy little mutt hiding behind a bush. I scoop him up, and the kid’s face lights up. I’m like, “See? I told ya I’d find him!” The kid hugs me, and for a second, all the chaos fades away.
Finally, we wrap up the fire. I’m exhausted, but I feel good. I mean, we saved a house, a dog, and a kid’s day. Not too shabby, right?
As I’m heading back, I can’t help but think about Trebisacce. The streets, the people, the crazy mix of old and new. It’s home, you know? Even with all the madness, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So, yeah, that was my day. Just another wild ride as a parachutist firefighter in Trebisacce. Can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow!