Fireman yelled at me!

[may51380]

OH, the drama that goes on at my apartment complex. Last night anout 7pm, I heard people yellling outside my door. So of course I opened it to see what was going on, and the hallway was filled with smoke. I ran back inside grabbed Joey and put him in his carrier, next was Beth - in she went to her carrier, then there's Lulu. I must has scared her with my running around, she dove right under the bed. I had to pull her out ny her front arms:( I felt bad for doing so, but she WAS COMING WITH ME!! Grabed my purse and out the door I went in my pj bottoms , no shoes, cat carrier in each had, and Lulu's carrier around my neck. What a sight I was! My poor babies were so frightened, they were all crying. After everyone got out of their apartments, the firefighter told me that I should have left my cats in the apartment and just got myself out. I know he was only thinking of my safety but it really pissed me off! Yea right, like I am going to leave my kids in a burning apartment, call me crazy! Turns out that the "crack" lady that lives downstairs, was smoking "something" in her master closet and it set on fire! They arrested her last night, hopefully they will keep her for a while. Everyone else's apartments were fine. After I was able to get back into my place, I let my babies out and they all ran under the bed, didn't see them again for about 2 hrs. They seemed fine this morning, all acting like their old selves. At least k now I know that I can get them and my selfout in under a minute.Hopefully we won't have any more fire drills for a long time.

Janine
Beth
Lulu
Joey

[lv4dogs]

My that must of been scary. I'm glad no one was injured & it was a mild fire.
I understand where the fireman was coming from but I don't blame you one bit. I would of done the same thing.

[catnapper]

Oh my! That had to be heart pounding! I honestly don't know what I'd do. I don't have enough carriers for everyone. I have enough harnesses and leashes... will I be able to get them on in time? Highly doubtful. :(

Glad you were able to think and react fast!

[Maresche]

Originally posted by catnapper
Oh my! That had to be heart pounding! I honestly don't know what I'd do. I don't have enough carriers for everyone. I have enough harnesses and leashes... will I be able to get them on in time? Highly doubtful. :(

Glad you were able to think and react fast!

Pillow carriers make decent enough cat carriers in emergency situations. The shelter I used to volunteer at would use them if they needed to evacuate everyone.

[ramanth]

How scary! If I couldn't get them into carriers fast enough, I'd open windows and try to spook them towards it. Rather find them outside and safe from the fire than leave them to die.

Glad everyone is okay.

[Sonia59]

I would probably have done the same...

[K & L]

This has always been a fear of mine. We have 24 cats and I'm afraid we could never round them all up in time. I hope this is something we never have to worry about. There are pet stickers you can put in your windows to let Fireman know how many animals are in your home.

[catlover4ever]

Well I would have done the same thing and taken all the kids with me as well. I'm so glad that you and everyone else is OK.

[Donnaj4962]

I also have a sticker in the front window to alert the firepeople of my furry kids inside. And, I would have rounded them up also before getting myself out! I wouldn't have even thought twice. I like the idea of using pillow cases since my girls would be much easier persuaded to run into a pillow case (they are wonderful fun to play in!) than their carriers! Hope I never have to make the choice, but in case, it is a great idea to have a plan in place! :)

[King Spartacus]

Originally posted by may51380
At least k now I know that I can get them and my selfout in under a minute.Hopefully we won't have any more fire drills for a long time.
Oh well done!!! I would have done exactly the same myself! The fireman obviously don't have any furkids, otherwise he'd be more understanding (or maybe he's just following the "procedures" a bit to harshly). Good on ya! And hope the "problem" woman stays away for the longest time!

Best wishes, Sylvie, KS' mom

[moosmom]

Turns out that the "crack" lady that lives downstairs, was smoking "something" in her master closet and it set on fire!

You've got one of those crack HOs in your apartment too??? So do I! I USED to feel safe in this place but I don't anymore. She's got "traffic" going in and out of her apartment at all hours of the night. It's pathetic!

I'm so glad you and your furbabies got out safely and that hopefully, the HO is outta your building for good.

[RedHedd]

I would have done the same thing. I keep the furbies carriers in easy reach just in case and I have one of those stickers on my windows too. I hope I never have the occasion to implement an emergency escape plan, but it's good to have one just in case.

[may51380]

Well I talked to my friend George, who is a firefigher/EMT for the same station that was at the apartment last night. He knew who it was that told me to leave my cats. George said that the guy hates any kind of animal and is a real pain in the you know what. I did find out that those stickers you guys were talking about, are really important to have. He said he always looks for the stickers when going into a home/apt. I plan on getting one ASAP! I am just glad that I was home last night, when this was all happening. I love my furkids!:D

Janine
Beth
Lulu
Joey

[skneisel74]

You are a good meowmie. It always upsets me (living in Tx) when the tornado sirens go off, I put all three of mine in one large carrier and grab my purse. My husband tells me they will be fine they are use to protecting themselves. HAH I say they have only know about 3 to 5 weeks without their meowmie there to protect them. They have never fended for themselves. Heck if the food bowl goes empty..... the world is coming to an end at my house. So bravo meowmie.

[may51380]

I used to live in TX too. Beth and Lulu are my texas cats. I know how those sirens are, very scary. What gets me is last night NOT ONE siren went off! Not the alarm in the apartment that was on fire, and the building alarm never went off either. Good thing I looked out the door, other wise I would have not know what was going on! I sure do hope that gets fixed. And they still haven't replaced the fire extinguishers that were lost in last years' hurricanes. I think I will be making some phone calls to the main office! Thanks to everyone for listening to my rants! You guys are the best!

Janine
Beth
Lulu
Joey

[orangemm]

I wouldn't go anywhere without my boys. Too bad if he didn't like it, I would have done exactly the same thing.

Obviously he's NOT a pet lover. Somehow I don't trust people who dislike animals.

[catmandu]

I HAD A BUS DRIVER,WHO TOLD ME,THAT I WAS NOT BRINGING MOOSE,ON THE BUS.I SAT DOWN,WITH MY CAT,AND TOLD THE JERK,THAT MOOSE,WAS IN A CONTAINER,ACCORDING,TO THE BUS RULES,AND THAT WE WERE NOT LEAVING.
WE ARGUED,FOR A BIT,HE GOT,ON THE PHONE,CALLED THE OFFICE,AND THEY MUST HAVE CONFIRMED,I WAS RIGHT,AS HE THEN DROVE,THE BUS AGAIN.
I SAD THANK YOU,HE CURSED US,AND FROM WHAT I HEARD,A FEW PASSENGERS,CALLED,IN,AND HE GOT THREE DAYS,OFF,WITHOUT PAY,AS THIS,WAS FAR,FROM THE FIRST COMPLAINT,ABOUT HIS LACK,OF COURTESY.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/CaseyDigby.jpg

[todd]

Well I would have done the same thing got my cat then get out.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by may51380

... last night NOT ONE siren went off!
Not the alarm in the apartment that was on fire,
and the building alarm never went off either.

And they still haven't replaced the fire extinguishers
that were lost in last years' hurricanes.

:eek:

Talk to your Firefighter / EMT Buddie George - ASAP!

Fire Alarms that malfunction and Missing fire extinguishers are
probably both Violations of State and Local LAWS! :mad:

Call the Fire Department on their business line (NOT 9-1-1) and
ask to talk to a Fire Inspector -
Tell him/her about the Fire Alarm not working for an actual fire,
and where the extinguishers should be that are missing.
Request that the Inspector make an inspection and demand that
the building owner repair and replace the required safety equipment.

Ask that the Inspector report back to you... give him/her a week.
If you don't hear anything (or see the extinguishers) - call 'em back!

/s/ Phred