Writing proposals can come as second nature to an engineer.

But, for engineer Adam Al-Khal there is no such thing as a simple proposal.

Al-Khal, a volunteer firefighter with the Western Salisbury Fire Department, decided to pop the question to his girlfriend of one year, Ellie Passman, development specialist with Sacred Heart Hospital.

The engineer mapped out his strategy as if he were building a bridge or designing an electronic circuit.

Using an eight-page, step-by-step, written plan, Al-Khal enlisted the help and strategic services of several fellow volunteer firefighters to surprise Passman at a picnic already underway at the Webster Avenue home of his parents, Gus and Michelle Al-Khal.

Adam Al-Khal and his two brothers, Jonathan and Michael, also Western Salisbury volunteer firefighters, excused themselves about 3:45 p.m. July 19 to answer a "fire call."

The three met with other firefighters who were in on the operation and who were staged at the Swain Fire Station.

Donning full turnout gear, the volunteers approached the Al-Khal home with lights and sirens.

Pulling the aerial ladder vehicle to the Catherine Avenue side yard of the Al-Khal residence, Firefighter Jon Hucko unrolled a hose and fashioned it into a heart shape.

Al-Khal's brother Jonathan ran to the backyard picnic area and offered his arm to a surprised Passman and escorted her to the heart-shaped hose.

Al-Khal, a captain with the fire department, stepped down from the front officer's seat in the ladder truck, approached his girlfriend, dropped to one knee.

As a fellow firefighter atop the aerial ladder unfurled a banner inscribed, "Ellie, will you marry me?," Al-Khal pulled out a diamond engagement ring and repeated the words on the banner.

When Passman said, "Oh, yes, of course," one firefighter said, "Thank goodness she said 'yes.' "Now we don't have to go to plan B."

The soon-to-be bride's parents, Dr. Harvey and LaVerne Passman, of Schnecksville, , who also were at the picnic, were as surprised and pleased as their daughter.

Al-Khal, an engineer with Lutron Electronics, Coopersburg, said all the planning and preparation came naturally to him with his engineering training at Penn State University.

Al-Khal proclaimed he wasn't nervous before asking Passman for her hand in marriage.

"I've been planning this for so long, I just want to see it happen," he said.

The proposal was carried off with engineering precision.

"If Adam had been alive in 1944, he would certainly have wanted to be in on the planning for the invasion of Normandy," one firefighter said wryly,

No word on what Al-Khal might be planning for the wedding ceremony.