About The Author

Steve Greene & Richard Bray

It certainly was not a part of my life plan. Not even close. However, I can tell you that my eight years as a volunteer firefighter/EMT II, were eight of the best years of my life. And, they still are. No, I don’t jump out the door when the alarm rings. Actually, the town in which I have lived for the past twenty-plus years currently has a full-time career fire-rescue department. When we first moved here in 1990, the fire department was a combo with both career and volunteers; however my back injury prevented me from joining and there was no fire-police49 division in existence. Yet, I still have a “jump bag” in my car, loaded with BLS (Basic Life Support) supplies. Moreover, I have this uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time, when an emergency occurs. In the over twenty-five years since I left active service due to an injury and having been “disabled” since 1992, I have been first on-scene for numerous motor vehicle crashes, cardiac incidents, falls, and other assorted mishaps. No matter what level of pain I am suffering at that moment, the adrenaline starts pumping and yes, I jump into action, assuring that someone has called 911 and rendering aid until fire-rescue, EMS and police arrive.

About The Author

Richard Bray

Richard grew up in Washington, DC and in high school, became a volunteer member of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Montgomery County, Md., and also spent many hours riding with volunteer fire depts. In neighboring Prince Georges County, Md. In 1978, Richard moved to Guilford College, NC. and continued his volunteer service with the Guilford College Fire Dept. and eventually took a career position as a Driver/Operator. It was at GCFD that Richard met Steven Greene. They became close friends, not only because they were the only Jewish members of the dept. but because they responded to many incidents together. The friendship continues to this day! In 1980, Richard fulfilled another long time goal of becoming a Law Enforcement officer and was sworn in as a Metropolitan Police officer in Washington, DC where he spent seven years. While serving in DC, he took an interest in becoming a police helicopter pilot and began flight training at his own expense. Richard eventually transferred to a Florida sheriff’s office where incidentally, his friend Steve lived, and was assigned to the Aviation Unit. Richard recently retired but continues to fly as a volunteer for a local sheriff’s office.