Firefighters take snow day after Polar Vortex slams Midwest

By Sarah Calams, FR1 editor

“Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61 – house fire, 3600 block Hennepin Ave.”

Instead of firefighters and medics hopping on their rigs, station 51 was quiet. Too quiet.
“Repeat: Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61 – house fire, 3600 block Hennepin Ave,” the dispatcher said. “Hello? Anyone there?”

After 20 minutes passed without response, Mayor Jack Frost showed up at the station demanding a reason for why all firefighters in Minneapolis weren’t responding to their calls.

“We’re taking a snow day – if the schools can do it, then so can we,” Chief Redmond Blaze said.

“It’s definitely overdue and well deserved, don’tcha think Mayor?”

“But firefighters don’t get snow days!” Mayor Frost shouted.

Just as the mayor was about to storm out, TV crews gathered to take photos and interview the firefighters. A group was gathered in the break room watching cartoons in their pajamas and others were making snow angels in front of the firehouse.

“We were all tired, cold and didn’t feel like driving the rigs in the ice and snow,” veteran firefighter Bruce Tree said. “So the chief declared a snow day for us all. We were pretty stoked!”

Fed up with the abrupt and incredibly dangerous decision made by Chief Blaze, Mayor Frost held a press conference outside the firehouse.

“I now realize that I wasn’t clear enough in our fire department bylaws,” Mayor Frost announced.

“From here on out, firefighters will no longer be allowed to take snow days. Also, all firefighters will be required to make up the snow day this summer. Thank you.”

Firefighters from across the city hung their heads, put on their PPE, turned off the TV, left their snow angels, and waited for the next call to come in.

“That was still the best day ever,” firefighter Tree whispered.