Thursday, December 22, 2011
0 to 60 in .05
I couldn't sleep last night so I didn't go to bed til about 4. I typically have insomnia, especially at the firehouse. I finally made it to bed and the last thing I remember is putting my phone on the night stand. Then the frap went off, The lights kicked on; 'Engine 10. Engine 20 for closest ALS, (Advanced Life Support; more advanced medical personnel)' Medic 20. Damn, another medical call again. Full Arrest. (no pulse or reparations) Short terms. Someone dying. I went from high idle to maxed out. Got dressed and got to the truck. I put on my job shirt and radio, threw my turnouts up in and closed the door. Our full reaction time was probably 30 seconds. Cap got in the rig and we pulled out into the dark, the red and white strobes playing off the trees and houses. I saw cap look at the computer, he read the comments. 'Caller is a 6 year old male at the neighbors house, says his little brother is dead.' We pulled down the street with several cops and when we got on scene the neighbor said both boys were alive and ok, the little brother was asleep. Back to high idle. We went in and cap talked to the boy as cops filled the house. The boy was in tears, saying sorry. Cap said 'Dont let anyone tell you anything different, you did the right thing. You call us for help.' The driver and I started checking the smoke alarms (both dead, we put in new ones). No parents were home. The cop was on the phone with the mother; 'No ma'am I don't think you understand. You need to come home now.', He was trying to convince her! It was 5 in the morning and these brothers were home alone, the house was a wreck, and they hadn't eaten in almost a day. The sergeant was making some phone calls. We had to clear back up and go in service. I don't know what will happen , but I'm sure that they will get taken care of. Our engine company isn't in the inner city. We don't deal with shootings, stabbings and overdoses daily. But it still happens, even if your neighborhood requires matching $500 mailboxes.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
I ain't luck
So first off, the title. Today is my girlfriend's 19th birthday and I didn't get to see her. So today I am wearing the shirt that she got me for my birthday. Of course its a fire department shirt and its Irish. she knows me well. Anyways; happy birthday honey, I love you. (hopefully you get my card soon)
Anyways
Today we went to the store for lunch and I was standing in line with my 12 hour cough medicine (wasn't all that hungry) and this mom and her son were behind us. The kid probably wasn't more than 7 years old and at the top of his voice he said 'look mom! firemen!' as if we were hiding behind the candy display. (for the record, it takes more than 2 hands to count the number of times I did this as a kid) Everyone in the store wheeled around to look at him and he got all shy, but my lieutenant walked to the back of the line where the boy was and said 'Would you like to see the firetruck?' The mom had this thank you look on her face as the boy all but ran out the door. His mom let us take him outside to the truck and we let him sit in the jump seat. He put on my helmet and put on my headset, asking a million questions. Finally his mom came over from loading her groceries and told him to say thank you which he very politely did and he went on his way.
First off, I remember being that kid. I knew where every firehouse was in the whole county when I was about 3. I have probably sat in more fire engines than some of the 20-year guys I volunteer with. I knew all the radio codes, (back when we used them) all the unit types, and most importantly, how to make a siren sound. Not some little wee-ooo sound either. Like I would be in the back seat playing with my tiny fire trucks in my car seat and my mom would be pulling over rolling down the windows to look for the engine. (Then get kinda angry that I made her pull over). It just tickled me to death that I met a kid that was just like me as a kid. One day after I become an old salty dog, Ill be telling some rookie not to be so jumpy on calls, or that you don't need to sleep in your uniform; we will get you up (Yes, the first few nights in the firehouse I did this) and for all I know, it will be that kid from today. It just reminded me how far I have come and that I am living the dream, How many people can say that?
I love my job. People trust us; that mom didn't tell us 'no thanks, not today' or even say 'Ill bring him out in a minute'. She let a group of 4 firemen lead her son out to a big yellow truck in a grocery store parking lot, my lieutenant holding his hand, to show him around. Without a second thought. People like firefighters (they like cops too..just not as much haha). I wouldn't take a 6 figure salary, a fast car and a 5 day work week over that. Not any day.
Anyways
Today we went to the store for lunch and I was standing in line with my 12 hour cough medicine (wasn't all that hungry) and this mom and her son were behind us. The kid probably wasn't more than 7 years old and at the top of his voice he said 'look mom! firemen!' as if we were hiding behind the candy display. (for the record, it takes more than 2 hands to count the number of times I did this as a kid) Everyone in the store wheeled around to look at him and he got all shy, but my lieutenant walked to the back of the line where the boy was and said 'Would you like to see the firetruck?' The mom had this thank you look on her face as the boy all but ran out the door. His mom let us take him outside to the truck and we let him sit in the jump seat. He put on my helmet and put on my headset, asking a million questions. Finally his mom came over from loading her groceries and told him to say thank you which he very politely did and he went on his way.
First off, I remember being that kid. I knew where every firehouse was in the whole county when I was about 3. I have probably sat in more fire engines than some of the 20-year guys I volunteer with. I knew all the radio codes, (back when we used them) all the unit types, and most importantly, how to make a siren sound. Not some little wee-ooo sound either. Like I would be in the back seat playing with my tiny fire trucks in my car seat and my mom would be pulling over rolling down the windows to look for the engine. (Then get kinda angry that I made her pull over). It just tickled me to death that I met a kid that was just like me as a kid. One day after I become an old salty dog, Ill be telling some rookie not to be so jumpy on calls, or that you don't need to sleep in your uniform; we will get you up (Yes, the first few nights in the firehouse I did this) and for all I know, it will be that kid from today. It just reminded me how far I have come and that I am living the dream, How many people can say that?
I love my job. People trust us; that mom didn't tell us 'no thanks, not today' or even say 'Ill bring him out in a minute'. She let a group of 4 firemen lead her son out to a big yellow truck in a grocery store parking lot, my lieutenant holding his hand, to show him around. Without a second thought. People like firefighters (they like cops too..just not as much haha). I wouldn't take a 6 figure salary, a fast car and a 5 day work week over that. Not any day.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
You think you're nervous?
As you may or may not know; there was a shooting today at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg Virginia. A police officer and another unidentified person were killed. The suspect is still at large and my thoughts and prayers go out to both families for their loss.
But on that note I would like to say something about the other side of our family.
The police officer was conducting a traffic stop on campus and was shot and killed by an assailant who then fled the scene. I hear all the time about people that get pulled over saying that the police officer was rude or mean or seemed like he was out to get that person. I would just like to say; traffic stops are a routine part of an officer's day. You think you get nervous when you see the lights in your rear view? That officer has to walk up to your car, completely exposed to traffic, hazards, and more importantly; you. The Blacksburg officer was not killed pulling over a shooter, or pulling over a known suspect. They were killed doing the most common part of their job. I can't imagine the nerves it must take to step out of that car. Knowing that the person your walking up to might kill you because they don't want to get in trouble. Respect. I couldn't do it.
Rest in peace brother.
But on that note I would like to say something about the other side of our family.
The police officer was conducting a traffic stop on campus and was shot and killed by an assailant who then fled the scene. I hear all the time about people that get pulled over saying that the police officer was rude or mean or seemed like he was out to get that person. I would just like to say; traffic stops are a routine part of an officer's day. You think you get nervous when you see the lights in your rear view? That officer has to walk up to your car, completely exposed to traffic, hazards, and more importantly; you. The Blacksburg officer was not killed pulling over a shooter, or pulling over a known suspect. They were killed doing the most common part of their job. I can't imagine the nerves it must take to step out of that car. Knowing that the person your walking up to might kill you because they don't want to get in trouble. Respect. I couldn't do it.
Rest in peace brother.
Quick update on why UPS sucks.
So about 3 months ago I found a typewriter (like the old thing from the 50's.) in my grandparents house. I decided it was the perfect gift for my girlfriend but she lives far far away; so I trusted to good people at UPS to ship it across the country. Well it got there, but not in one piece, which yes is a big deal. They said they would be happy to fix it but today they called me and asked me how much it cost.."do you have a receipt from purchase?"
....you mean from when I bought it in 1950? Oh of course! Let me go get that out of my freakin' rolodex.
...or I could say the truth is I stole it from my grandparent's basement (not really)
but really? Its old, they dont make them anymore how am I supposed to know how much they cost.
Blah.
On the bright side; It still made it there, and she still likes it.
ANNNDD..
She loves me :)
EDIT: My girlfriend's dad works for UPS (totally different department though)...oops. Sorry Mr. Petersen
....you mean from when I bought it in 1950? Oh of course! Let me go get that out of my freakin' rolodex.
...or I could say the truth is I stole it from my grandparent's basement (not really)
but really? Its old, they dont make them anymore how am I supposed to know how much they cost.
Blah.
On the bright side; It still made it there, and she still likes it.
ANNNDD..
She loves me :)
EDIT: My girlfriend's dad works for UPS (totally different department though)...oops. Sorry Mr. Petersen
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Oh couch, how comfy you look.
So today on the phone, after being relentlessly tormented about my hatred towards beans (she even went as far as to say I wasn't a man. Ouch.). I cracked a woman joke. A funny one. She said.. "well if you won't eat beans I wont marry you OR cook for you"
.....my awesome response was...
Well, they are one in the same.
Silent treatment? Yes.
If you have an opinion (All 1 of my followers. ) feel free to utilize the poll to your right.
-This is also a tactic to gain followers as I'm sure all my girlfriend's friends will readily follow this blog so they can take her side....
women...
.....my awesome response was...
Well, they are one in the same.
Silent treatment? Yes.
If you have an opinion (All 1 of my followers. ) feel free to utilize the poll to your right.
-This is also a tactic to gain followers as I'm sure all my girlfriend's friends will readily follow this blog so they can take her side....
women...
welcome to the show
Not sure what exactly to call it yet, but several people close to me have told me to write about my daily exploits as a volunteer firefighter and just to write in general. So I've started this blog. This particular day was very long and I promise all my posts won't be as lengthy.
So after going to bed pretty late, maybe 02:00? We still hadn't run any calls and it had been a few days. I wanted a call. It sounds terrible but I've waited all my life to do this job and spend hours upon hours sweeping and cleaning and training (call of duty passes the time as well) and we have run NO calls lately. I train and train and train and I want to put it to work. I would never wish harm or misfortune upon someone but its going to happen at some point. I just want it to happen now. What I really wanted a fire. I had only been to one real fire and the adrenaline rush is so addicting. But Im certain my head hit the pillow knowing that I was going to wake up to my alarm at 08:00 and we wouldn't have turned a wheel.
The first thing I realized was that the frap (tone that wakes us up and says 'hey, you have a call' ) was going off and the lights were on. The adrenaline surged through my body like a freakin' wave. I got up, got dressed and went for the engine. It was probably 30 seconds after the dispatch but the 5 of us were in the rig and screaming down the street for..and EMS call. Oh well. Our rookie takes his EMT-B test this week, he could use the experience. I had just been to this house two tours ago so I knew he would be alright. Now, our company usually does not handle EMS calls very well. We just don't do EMS all the time so its hard to be proficient at it. We went in, and it was going well. The other firefighter and our rookie were treating our patient and I was recording all the information for the medic crew. Our captain (who hates EMS and does not like getting up early) poked his head in the door and looked around. I for once was able to say with confidence, 'we got this cap'. He kinda nodded and then went outside to yell at someone. It was nice.
So the medical call went all nice and clean; we went back to the station and restocked and did reports. The other firefighter and the rookie got off for the night. they had to go to work. It was like well, thats our call for the week. Maybe the month. That sucked. No action. No awesome story. Just another day running EMS. The speakers are off by default in the bunk room unless a call comes in; but if you are quiet enough you can hear the dispatch and operations channel in the hallways. I laid there and listened... Silenc- BEEP. (a single beep means a single company call requiring one engine or an ambulance) It wasn't our station, but my adrenaline glad quivered a little. I knew for a fact I wasn't going but just the thought of us going on a call was a rush. C'mon hit it again. (two beeps means a structure fire) BEEP. Still wasn't for us. But that tiny rush of adrenaline that came with thinking of fire blowing out the front door was enough to keep me up.
I got up and got dressed again and made it to the hallway to hear the tail end of the dispatch "...battalion 3, priority 1,for the structure fire, flames in the basement, tac 4 is monitored at 06:30 hours." I went to the watch room and got a spare radio to listen and pulled up the call on the computer. It was going to be a working fire. We were going.
Battalion 3 marked on scene with a brick rancher with smoke pouring out of every window. He said "make this a working incident and expedite that 4th engine". My chair was spinning. I was in the engine fully dressed and strapped into my SCBA before my captain even got to his gear.
We pulled out of the station and went racing to this fire. Crews were offensive in the house but couldn't find the fire. Command instructed us to come up to the front side of the house for our assignment. We parked as close as we could (which was a block away) I grabbed the irons and the hook for the cap and we started down the street with a fast walk. As we got closer you could see the fire shooting out of the basement windows and me and cap double-timed it to the front yard. The chief told us to mask up and follow the hand line into the basement they had fire in the walls and ceiling they couldn't find.
It was just like training. Smoke was so thick you couldn't see anything except cap's flashlight shining down the hall. We got down the hall and ran into some of the city guys. It was hot. Cap asked where the stairs were at and the city guys had no idea. It got hotter. I said to cap 'Its hot, there has to be fire in here.' The officer from the city said the same thing. I turned around and fire was rolling out of the bedroom behind us and into the hallway. A wall of orange. I grabbed cap by his shoulder strap and spun him around. He looked at the city guys and screamed 'Hey! Nozzle! We got fire, CITY! give me the @$#%^$ nozzle! They shucked the hose up towards us and the nozzle materialized out of the smoke right infront of me. I dropped the irons and opened the line. It took me a second to gain balance but I knocked the fire down and worked into the bedroom. Drywall was falling everywhere and glass from the popping windows and light bulbs was flying. I found more fire in the closet and knocked it down. We still had to get to the basement.
Once we found the stairs we went to the basement and helped the truck find the fire hidden in the ductwork. It was running the length of the house through it and thats how we had fire in the room upstairs. Command re-assigned us to check the attic to check for fire. We found it. The attic was completely engulfed and we helped the engine crew knock it down.
In the front yard we got some water and changed out bottles but command was sending us home, the other crews could clean up; the fire was out. I couldn't feel a thing. The adrenaline of being inside a fire is so intense. You could have cut off one of my fingers and I wouldn't have noticed. We were filthy and had to go to the station and clean up. In my head I was saying, well. That was fun. Now back to normal, slow and boring. I said to my captain as a joke, I could do that all over again.
Two hours later after we were back in service and cleaned, the frap went off again. WHAT?? 3 calls in a day? Weird. My girlfriend even thought it was weird that we were so busy, AND had a fire. BEEP. BEEP. (Another fire??) Engine 24, Engine 10, Engine 7, Truck 7, Battalion 3, TSO, Medic 24 for the structure fire at Mcdonalds. I bolted to the engine, got dressed and once again, we headed out the door to a fire. I was ecstatic. Engine 24 marked on location with a fire that had been controlled by the suppression system. We were assigned to go to the roof and check the grease traps (which after seeing has completely turned me off from Mcdonalds. Nasty.) We didn't find much. We got put back in-service and cap looked back and said 'well...satisfied?'. 'No way cap, lets do another one im good to go' (running on 1 hour of sleep.) I was ready of course, but I was sure the rest of the day was going to be relaxed.
We got sent to Engine 24 for a while, they got tied up on a fire at the quarry. At the same time the south end was working an apartment fire. Kind of crazy to have 4 fires in a day like that. We were sitting at the kitchen table at 24 and a call popped up on the TV. (that station is really fancy and when a call comes in the info comes up on the TV) All I saw was 'STFIR F07' which means structure fire in station 7's area. That is 24's second due. All I heard was cap saying GO! GO! GO! I got dressed and strapped in and as I saw cap open the computer. He must have saw something because he looked back 'WORKING JOB! WORKING JOB! Get ready!'
It was a 15 minute response time into the sticks but it seemed like 2. We got on scene and command needed water from our engine to go to Engine 7 (no hydrants in that area). I hand jacked 300 feet of 5 inch supply line and got it hooked up to 7. Engine 7 was busy trying to make rear access and knock down the fire on the back of the house so they had us pull a line and knock down some fire blowing out of the crawlspace. I got some more nozzle time and got all that out before they sent us to the first floor to check for fire coming up from the crawl space. When you are on the nozzle you might be infront but the guy behind you pushing hose in the door pushes you farther in. Its like having control of the steering wheel but not the gas. So communication is key. I was crawling (being pushed) along and all the sudden I felt high heat and no floor. I'd write what I said but there would be a lot of meaningless symbols. Communication is key. Lesson learned. I moved back and opened the nozzle and the heat went away and I saw a lot more smoke so it was out.
We got sent to the second floor to take out a window and do a quick search which we quickly accomplished. The fire was out, and again I was flying high on an indescribable rush. We let the truck guys do some overhaul and we went in to help them after we changed out air cylinders. The fire had started in the furnace that was under the living room in the crawl space. We had saved quite a bit of the house.
We packed up all our stuff and I looked at cap and said 'alright, 3 in one day is enough lets go home'. i dont remember if he said anything or just laughed at me but I can say for sure he was proud of our performance and thats what mattered. All in all we had a good day, 3 fires and one medical. I could do that again.
So after going to bed pretty late, maybe 02:00? We still hadn't run any calls and it had been a few days. I wanted a call. It sounds terrible but I've waited all my life to do this job and spend hours upon hours sweeping and cleaning and training (call of duty passes the time as well) and we have run NO calls lately. I train and train and train and I want to put it to work. I would never wish harm or misfortune upon someone but its going to happen at some point. I just want it to happen now. What I really wanted a fire. I had only been to one real fire and the adrenaline rush is so addicting. But Im certain my head hit the pillow knowing that I was going to wake up to my alarm at 08:00 and we wouldn't have turned a wheel.
The first thing I realized was that the frap (tone that wakes us up and says 'hey, you have a call' ) was going off and the lights were on. The adrenaline surged through my body like a freakin' wave. I got up, got dressed and went for the engine. It was probably 30 seconds after the dispatch but the 5 of us were in the rig and screaming down the street for..and EMS call. Oh well. Our rookie takes his EMT-B test this week, he could use the experience. I had just been to this house two tours ago so I knew he would be alright. Now, our company usually does not handle EMS calls very well. We just don't do EMS all the time so its hard to be proficient at it. We went in, and it was going well. The other firefighter and our rookie were treating our patient and I was recording all the information for the medic crew. Our captain (who hates EMS and does not like getting up early) poked his head in the door and looked around. I for once was able to say with confidence, 'we got this cap'. He kinda nodded and then went outside to yell at someone. It was nice.
So the medical call went all nice and clean; we went back to the station and restocked and did reports. The other firefighter and the rookie got off for the night. they had to go to work. It was like well, thats our call for the week. Maybe the month. That sucked. No action. No awesome story. Just another day running EMS. The speakers are off by default in the bunk room unless a call comes in; but if you are quiet enough you can hear the dispatch and operations channel in the hallways. I laid there and listened... Silenc- BEEP. (a single beep means a single company call requiring one engine or an ambulance) It wasn't our station, but my adrenaline glad quivered a little. I knew for a fact I wasn't going but just the thought of us going on a call was a rush. C'mon hit it again. (two beeps means a structure fire) BEEP. Still wasn't for us. But that tiny rush of adrenaline that came with thinking of fire blowing out the front door was enough to keep me up.
I got up and got dressed again and made it to the hallway to hear the tail end of the dispatch "...battalion 3, priority 1,for the structure fire, flames in the basement, tac 4 is monitored at 06:30 hours." I went to the watch room and got a spare radio to listen and pulled up the call on the computer. It was going to be a working fire. We were going.
Battalion 3 marked on scene with a brick rancher with smoke pouring out of every window. He said "make this a working incident and expedite that 4th engine". My chair was spinning. I was in the engine fully dressed and strapped into my SCBA before my captain even got to his gear.
We pulled out of the station and went racing to this fire. Crews were offensive in the house but couldn't find the fire. Command instructed us to come up to the front side of the house for our assignment. We parked as close as we could (which was a block away) I grabbed the irons and the hook for the cap and we started down the street with a fast walk. As we got closer you could see the fire shooting out of the basement windows and me and cap double-timed it to the front yard. The chief told us to mask up and follow the hand line into the basement they had fire in the walls and ceiling they couldn't find.
It was just like training. Smoke was so thick you couldn't see anything except cap's flashlight shining down the hall. We got down the hall and ran into some of the city guys. It was hot. Cap asked where the stairs were at and the city guys had no idea. It got hotter. I said to cap 'Its hot, there has to be fire in here.' The officer from the city said the same thing. I turned around and fire was rolling out of the bedroom behind us and into the hallway. A wall of orange. I grabbed cap by his shoulder strap and spun him around. He looked at the city guys and screamed 'Hey! Nozzle! We got fire, CITY! give me the @$#%^$ nozzle! They shucked the hose up towards us and the nozzle materialized out of the smoke right infront of me. I dropped the irons and opened the line. It took me a second to gain balance but I knocked the fire down and worked into the bedroom. Drywall was falling everywhere and glass from the popping windows and light bulbs was flying. I found more fire in the closet and knocked it down. We still had to get to the basement.
Once we found the stairs we went to the basement and helped the truck find the fire hidden in the ductwork. It was running the length of the house through it and thats how we had fire in the room upstairs. Command re-assigned us to check the attic to check for fire. We found it. The attic was completely engulfed and we helped the engine crew knock it down.
In the front yard we got some water and changed out bottles but command was sending us home, the other crews could clean up; the fire was out. I couldn't feel a thing. The adrenaline of being inside a fire is so intense. You could have cut off one of my fingers and I wouldn't have noticed. We were filthy and had to go to the station and clean up. In my head I was saying, well. That was fun. Now back to normal, slow and boring. I said to my captain as a joke, I could do that all over again.
Two hours later after we were back in service and cleaned, the frap went off again. WHAT?? 3 calls in a day? Weird. My girlfriend even thought it was weird that we were so busy, AND had a fire. BEEP. BEEP. (Another fire??) Engine 24, Engine 10, Engine 7, Truck 7, Battalion 3, TSO, Medic 24 for the structure fire at Mcdonalds. I bolted to the engine, got dressed and once again, we headed out the door to a fire. I was ecstatic. Engine 24 marked on location with a fire that had been controlled by the suppression system. We were assigned to go to the roof and check the grease traps (which after seeing has completely turned me off from Mcdonalds. Nasty.) We didn't find much. We got put back in-service and cap looked back and said 'well...satisfied?'. 'No way cap, lets do another one im good to go' (running on 1 hour of sleep.) I was ready of course, but I was sure the rest of the day was going to be relaxed.
We got sent to Engine 24 for a while, they got tied up on a fire at the quarry. At the same time the south end was working an apartment fire. Kind of crazy to have 4 fires in a day like that. We were sitting at the kitchen table at 24 and a call popped up on the TV. (that station is really fancy and when a call comes in the info comes up on the TV) All I saw was 'STFIR F07' which means structure fire in station 7's area. That is 24's second due. All I heard was cap saying GO! GO! GO! I got dressed and strapped in and as I saw cap open the computer. He must have saw something because he looked back 'WORKING JOB! WORKING JOB! Get ready!'
It was a 15 minute response time into the sticks but it seemed like 2. We got on scene and command needed water from our engine to go to Engine 7 (no hydrants in that area). I hand jacked 300 feet of 5 inch supply line and got it hooked up to 7. Engine 7 was busy trying to make rear access and knock down the fire on the back of the house so they had us pull a line and knock down some fire blowing out of the crawlspace. I got some more nozzle time and got all that out before they sent us to the first floor to check for fire coming up from the crawl space. When you are on the nozzle you might be infront but the guy behind you pushing hose in the door pushes you farther in. Its like having control of the steering wheel but not the gas. So communication is key. I was crawling (being pushed) along and all the sudden I felt high heat and no floor. I'd write what I said but there would be a lot of meaningless symbols. Communication is key. Lesson learned. I moved back and opened the nozzle and the heat went away and I saw a lot more smoke so it was out.
We got sent to the second floor to take out a window and do a quick search which we quickly accomplished. The fire was out, and again I was flying high on an indescribable rush. We let the truck guys do some overhaul and we went in to help them after we changed out air cylinders. The fire had started in the furnace that was under the living room in the crawl space. We had saved quite a bit of the house.
We packed up all our stuff and I looked at cap and said 'alright, 3 in one day is enough lets go home'. i dont remember if he said anything or just laughed at me but I can say for sure he was proud of our performance and thats what mattered. All in all we had a good day, 3 fires and one medical. I could do that again.
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