Bob Carney Photography

I was out cutting grass today when I heard the sirens and thought nothing of it.  I turned to head back to the house and saw the plumes of black smoke bellowing from behind the trees just down the road.  I ran in the house and grab the camera.  I got down to the house on Unakite and the Pumper truck was already on scene and just hooking up water.  Walking down towards the house through the onlookers I heard that everyone was out safely.

It is so unfortunate for the homeowners, but I want to tell you something, I really have great respect for the firefighters.  This has been the second time I had the opportunity to see a fire close up and in its early stages.  These guys are a well oiled machine.  They are all volunteers.  I do a lot of volunteer work for Relay for Life, serve at the soup kitchen, Patty Pollatos Fund and so on, but that has nothing on these guys.  They are the real deal.  We are normally running out of the house or harms way as they can’t wait to get into it!

The next time they are asking for money…please don’t hesitate to pull out your wallet.  I would really hate to see them run out of gas on the way to your house or your neighbors.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

123►

I went downtown Wednesday not only to be part of the protest, but to document the event. It was a pretty wet afternoon. I’m not complaining, but I do need to get a waterproof kit for my camera. It was a little rough balancing an umbrella and taking photos at the same time.

Anyways, this little girl was with her family supporting the crowd message. Somehow her message is a little more bold than the rest of them. I mean how do you repay THAT much money?

Only they will find out. I am sure I will never see a zero balance in my life time.

My son and I were heading down Route 40 on Thursday when we noticed the black plume of smoke behind Frederick Towne Mall.  I told him, I knew what that means and began my quest to find it.  We headed down Waverly towards Shookstown and Kemp Lane.  That’s when the Fire Chief passed us with lights and siren blaring.  We were obviously heading in the right direction.  When we pulled up on Granalta Court, I tried to find a location out of the way of the trucks and found a spot that was partially off the road on part on the edge of someones yard.  I was adamantly asked to move by the owner, so I obliged and moved further down the road.  (Poor guy should of just let me stay there.  Later when we left, we notice one of the 15 fire trucks was making a nice rut in his yard when they were parking.)  I ran up the street to see that one truck was there just unloading and the chief was in position getting ready for the rest of the trucks.  I stayed out of the trained professionals way while I snapped off some pictures.  It appeared that everyone was safely out of the house, but the homeowner was distraught in front of the blazing home. I was amazed at how organized and professional all the firefighter were during this crisis.  The shot that makes front page, looks as if the Fireman was just having another day at the office and nonchalantly walks out of the smoke filled house.  I also had a few shot make the FNP website article for the Breaking News and the full article as well.

Just another day at the office

Nice crop

This was an all new experience for me to be at horrific scene to capture the moment.  It feels odd to be celebrating an outstanding shot at someone elses loss.  As I think about it, most of history’s most memorable photographs are at the times of misfortune.  If photojournalism is something that I continue to pursue or at least dabble in, I guess, it is something that I will need to get used to.  I must say it is rather exciting to see something like this in print, but I guess it would wear off if that’s all I did everyday.

So, here are a few other shots from the scene.

Just getting the hoses out

Tanker on Scene

We're going in, just give us the sign.

Just a little Oxygen for him.