I didn't title this piece "Heroes and Villains," although villains launched a therapeutic experience in my life after Sept. 11.

I've always thought of firemen, policemen and other protectors as heroes, but never more so than that morning.

It just so happened that the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA was holding "Party on the Pier!" on Sept. 23. This fund-raiser at Santa Monica Pier included a silent auction that offered one particularly intriguing item: a dinner hosted by Westwood Fire Station 37. "Light My Fire!"

"The Windmills of My Mind" began to whirl, and I joined a group of colleagues who were determined to win that dinner. The seven of us were outbid, however, to the tune of $750 (swell for the beneficiary -- Mattel Children's Hospital -- but not for us).

"Shattered, Shattered," I thought -- but what if WE hosted the firemen? I dubbed us the "Seven Sirens" and left a message at the fire station. I was tickled when the captain returned my call.

"Let me get this straight," he said. "Seven women will bring a homemade meal to us? I think we can handle that."

"Hey, Good-lookin', What Ya Got Cookin'?"

On Nov. 9, we sirens did.

Upon our arrival, there was a call to put out a car fire; so, as some of our heroes took off, we took a guided tour.

Then, having already cooked our favorite dishes, from entrées to desserts, we prepared the meal buffet-style just as the trucks returned.

Believe me, it is magical to dine and chat with more than 15 firefighters and paramedics in their kitchen. "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie."

After dinner, the sirens were directed to climb a tall metal ladder to a viewing gallery, while below, the firefighters participated in a fierce handball game. Each of us had selected a firefighter's name from a hat to root for; a win would relieve the "cheerleader" from washing dishes. (Actually, a crew was cleaning up the kitchen while we were captivated spectators.)

Once down from the lofty perch, we were given another opportunity to "Climb Every Mountain," or so it seemed as we navigated our way to the top of the hook-and-ladder truck.

And then, over the PA system, we heard, "Ladies, would the Seven Sirens like to go for a ride?"

I felt giddy, yet wildly proud as the trucks took off with the Seven Sirens, headsets in place, for a spin around Westwood.

"No Particular Place to Go."

Our reflection in the store windows showed the Star-Spangled Banner waving behind. I'll never forget it, nor our Westwood heroes and the heroes of Sept. 11.

In December, we followed up with the purchase of T-shirts to support the LAFD and the FDNY and with the presentation of a huge platter of homemade holiday cookies.

So tell your community protectors, "You're the Top."

Supple is director of communications for UCLA Medical Sciences Development.