Catching up now, with the holidays past, we return to a story that broke just before Christmas, one that raises, once again, the question: Why are so many firefighters so childish?The satory I'm referring to took place at the Quaker Hill Fire Co. in Waterford, where a 54-year-old fire captain, a 28-year-old lieutenant, a 21-year-old firefighter and three teenagers were variously involved in duct taping a 14-year-old boy to a backboard and shooting him with an air gun, according to police.

The satory I'm referring to took place at the Quaker Hill Fire Co. in Waterford, where a 54-year-old fire captain, a 28-year-old lieutenant, a 21-year-old firefighter and three teenagers were variously involved in duct taping a 14-year-old boy to a backboard and shooting him with an air gun, according to police.If this were an isolated case of juvenile behavior on the part of alleged grown-ups, we could tsk and move on. But, of course, it's not. Consider ...

If this were an isolated case of juvenile behavior on the part of alleged grown-ups, we could tsk and move on. But, of course, it's not. Consider ... • In 2001, a Montville firefighter sued the town and two of his colleagues, saying that after he passed out at the Chesterfield Fire Co.'s annual banquet, one of them draped his penis over his face while the other took pictures.

• In 2001, a Montville firefighter sued the town and two of his colleagues, saying that after he passed out at the Chesterfield Fire Co.'s annual banquet, one of them draped his penis over his face while the other took pictures.• In 2003, Charles Buck, now charged with murdering his wife, was asked to resign from the Quiambuag Fire Department, not because he may have murdered his wife but because, colleagues said, he urinated in front of the Stonington Borough fire station and made crude remarks to a waitress.

• In 2003, Charles Buck, now charged with murdering his wife, was asked to resign from the Quiambuag Fire Department, not because he may have murdered his wife but because, colleagues said, he urinated in front of the Stonington Borough fire station and made crude remarks to a waitress.• In 2004, members of the Chesterfield Fire Co. illegally blocked Route 85, causing traffic to back up for three miles and making the road impassable to emergency vehicles, all so they could shake down motorists for loose change for "Jerry's kids."

• In 2004, members of the Chesterfield Fire Co. illegally blocked Route 85, causing traffic to back up for three miles and making the road impassable to emergency vehicles, all so they could shake down motorists for loose change for "Jerry's kids."• In 2005, a 20-year-old Old Mystic firefighter sexually assaulted two 15-year-old girls to spite his firefighter girlfriend who, he said, was having sex with another firefighter in a department bunkroom.

• In 2005, a 20-year-old Old Mystic firefighter sexually assaulted two 15-year-old girls to spite his firefighter girlfriend who, he said, was having sex with another firefighter in a department bunkroom.• In 2006, 16 members of the Chesterfield Fire Co. resigned to protest the expulsion of an assistant chief accused of condoning underage drinking at the department's annual banquet.

• In 2006, 16 members of the Chesterfield Fire Co. resigned to protest the expulsion of an assistant chief accused of condoning underage drinking at the department's annual banquet.• In 2007, hundreds of firefighters from across the state boycotted the Norwich diocese's annual parade and Mass to honor their fallen colleagues, because they had been asked to come without their firetrucks.

• In 2007, hundreds of firefighters from across the state boycotted the Norwich diocese's annual parade and Mass to honor their fallen colleagues, because they had been asked to come without their firetrucks.• In 2008, a Mystic firefighter trainee set three houses ablaze to impress his colleagues, and a Waterford firefighter committed suicide by setting fire to his own house, thereby endangering the lives of the friends who came to rescue him.

• In 2008, a Mystic firefighter trainee set three houses ablaze to impress his colleagues, and a Waterford firefighter committed suicide by setting fire to his own house, thereby endangering the lives of the friends who came to rescue him.• Last April, about a dozen Ledyard Fire Co. volunteers refused to respond to emergency calls after the assistant fire chief was suspended for conduct unbecoming of an officer.

• Last April, about a dozen Ledyard Fire Co. volunteers refused to respond to emergency calls after the assistant fire chief was suspended for conduct unbecoming of an officer. This is far from an exhaustive list.

This is far from an exhaustive list.Now I'm not saying that all firefighters are hopelessly immature, but given the number that are, it's no surprise that my colleagues at The Day advised me not to write this column.

Now I'm not saying that all firefighters are hopelessly immature, but given the number that are, it's no surprise that my colleagues at The Day advised me not to write this column. It's been said that every 5-year-old wants to grow up to be a firefighter. But then most 5-year-olds grow up.

It's been said that every 5-year-old wants to grow up to be a firefighter. But then most 5-year-olds grow up.This is the opinion of Kenton Robinson.

This is the opinion of Kenton Robinson.