The last time I wrote to you, I was preparing to join the Greencastle Fire Department at the county's new fire training facility, located next to the Putnam County Highway Garage.

Well, I survived and I'm writing this blog about it.

Anyway, my training at the firehouse the week before really paid off. I strutted up to the fire scene, stepped right into my fire boots, strapped on my oxygen tank and away I went.

Do you believe that? I guess it didn't exactly go that way. But I got suited up and after taking some razzing by the firefighters, we were ready to go.

Hint: If you're ever in my shoes and a firefighter tells you to put your I.D. in your boot for easy identification, don't listen to him.

Back to the story.

I got a front-row seat, in the corner, as Fire Chief Bill Newgent lit the fire inside the building and watched along with him, and firefighter Kyle App, as the smoke began to billow and fill the room.

Once the flames got going really strong, the firefighters even let me go to the front of the fire line and operate the hose. I think I'd get better if I had more time to practice.

After what the fire chief says was about 45 minutes inside the fire zone, excluding a time to switch out oxygen tanks, I was cooked.

I felt pretty good about my accomplishments, judging by the fact that the fire chief said he was ready to step out and let someone else take over. For anyone who has trouble breathing in the hot summer, try doing it in temperatures between 300 and 500 degrees!

I don't care what you say, that's hot enough to cook a pizza.

Jokes aside, it was a wonderful experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, if asked.

Thanks again to the fire department for allowing me to hang out with them for a day. I didn't feel like a reporter, rather just one of the guys.