Author: David Thompson

The following occured the week after Hurricane Michael devastated parts of Florida's panhandle.

We need a quick break from hurricane news to distract us! 

Folks who know me know that I have two passions: insurance and BBQ. On Saturday I fired up the smoker with 106 pounds of Boston Butt, babybacks, chicken, pork tenderloins, and salmon. “Lift off" as I call it was 4:24 a.m. 

I had the smoker in full gear and noticed that due to almost no wind, smoke sort of filled the neighborhood. 

Around 9:00 a.m. a fire truck pulled up and a firefighter stepped out of the truck laughing. He said, “We received multiple calls about smoke in the area so we are out investigating." The crew of three got out of the truck and we all stood there laughing. I pointed out that my smoker was on concrete and a garden hose was nearby. The crew chief laughed saying, “You are good, dude." He picked up his radio and called dispatch saying, “Dispatch, Engine 4...all good in the Arklow Drive area … a guy is smoking BBQ." It was really funny; I think we all needed a good laugh.

I told the crew, “We appreciate what you guys and girls do. Please come back around 3:00 p.m. and I'll have dinner for your crew." His reply was, “That's not a problem sir!" I beat them to the punch and delivered food to the crew around 2:30 p.m. The crew chief said, "All of this is for us?" I said, "Got to keep you the the crew well fed so you can do your job!"

Even after the storm has passed the Tallahassee area and things are somewhat normal here (very unlike our friends about 80 miles west of us) it's nice to see our EMS folks out there working. 

Our FAIA Convention theme a few years back was, “Pay it Forward." I'm glad I had the opportunity to do that. The fire crew ate well on Saturday!

PS: Special thanks to Peter Arts of the Plastridge Agency who gave me the shirt a few years back. I wear it every time I fire up the smoker!​

First published: October 20, 2018