I can't tell you the last time I took a swim....but peer pressure proved powerful! I had to make it across the length of the pool to rescue a 150 lb. dummy, and when I had to swim him back across supporting him- I began to wonder who was the dumb one... he was bigger than me! Just as I finished- proud as a peacock, I'll admit- the dive coordinator darkened the pool as well as the room. Our swimming conditions were transformed into pitch black darkness- like many of the situations our city's rescue divers face. It was scary, but my solace came in knowing it was simulated.

We then dried out quickly when we put on about 75 pounds of fire protective gear in the July heat. I climbed a five-story ladder, tried not to look down, all the while wondering why the StairMaster wasn't working as part of my workout routine.

The most strenuous and stressful part of the day was entering a dark burning building, oxygen tank on my back, and crawling on my hands and knees. I had to feel my way through the hot hallway....all the while hoping these firefighters had the blaze under control.

They did, and for that I am thankful.

I'll stick to T.V.- exhausted and amazed by the work that goes into protecting this city and the folks that train daily, preparing to make a bad situation a little better.

Right now for me, that work calls for an aspirin.

Kevin Roy of ABC7 and I pulled a dummy into a rescue raft... it was a lot harder than it looks.

I'm feeling thankful for my personal flotation device. My swimming skills fall short of spectacular.

So I'm especially proud of this one.

Randi to the rescue.

No need for a net!