“We Can’t Win”

When the fire trucks are delayed 40 seconds in traffic, People say:

"It took them 20 minutes to get here."

 When the truck races at 40 m.p.h., it's:

"Look at those reckless fools."

 When four men struggle with an eight-man ladder:

"They don't even know how to raise a ladder."

 When firemen open windows for ventilation to reduce heat in fighting a fire:

"Look at the wrecking crew."

 When they open the floor to get at a blaze:

"There goes the axe squad."

 If the chief stands back where he can see and direct his men, people say:

"He's afraid to go where he sends his men."

 If they lose a building:

"It's a lousy department."

 If they make a good "stop" folks say:

"The fire didn't amount to much."

 If lots of water is necessary:

"They are doing more damage with water than the flames."

 If a fireman gets hurt:

"He was a careless guy."

It a citizen gets hurt:

"It's a crazy department."

If a fireman inspects a citizen's property:

"He's meddling in somebody's business."

If he wants a fire hazard correct:

"I'll see the mayor."

If he gets killed and leaves a family destitute:

"That's the chance he took when he joined the fire department."