We had a First Response call Friday night and it's been a quiet couple weeks. It was good to put the uniform on again and at the same time, kinda sad. I was thinking this could be a really quiet Christmas holiday with no pages.
But we did get a call and we responded quickly. An elderly woman had been having problems breathing while talking with her son on the phone. He had hung up and called for help.
When we got there we assessed the situation and it was interesting watching 3 grown men take such gentle and caring time with her. I don't know what the problem was because I didn't fill out the paperwork this time. One or the other of the guys, as I watched and learned, would talk to her softly, ask her permission to put on the oxygen mask or the heartbeat monitor, and ask her permission to get her purse and retrieve things, what the concern was, etc. We do this with everyone, but it really got to me this night as I watched. I went with one fire fighter each time he had to leave the room to get something. Always work in pairs. Have your partners back.
At one point her dog came from behind her chair with drooped head, ears flat and tail tucked under his butt. It looked sooooo sad and lost. Command got down on one knee and whispered in it's ear, patted its head a bit before getting up to show the Paramedics where we were. It was heart warming to see him take concern for her pet. I glanced over to see how or if the patient would react; she had tears in her eyes. She was being cared for by two great firefighters and her dog was in gentle hands of one, too.
Ambulance got there about 5 min after we did and took over. When we got back to the hall, I took the clipboard to do the truck inspection. I really didn't want to talk to the guys because I was still processing what I was feeling. Why did this particular situation affect me emotionally? I'd been on a few calls similar to this. Why this one?
Then I realized what it was. If these guys I volunteer my time with. Willingly spend time with helping others could treat total strangers with such care and kindness, then the possibilities of what they showed their wives and kids was even more precious.
I'm blessed to be working with 22 super heros and know their wives and kids. I am so proud to work with these guys and see there are a few great men in this world. It gives this single woman hope.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
All About Possible Scenarios
Fire practice was different than normal. We were given a scenario on the whiteboard for a fire and then divided into two groups of five to come up with a strategy to put out a fire. It was really fascinating considering the situation. A fire in the basement, laundry room corner, and the fire is spreading through the main floor and smoke coming out the second floor. Only five of us could respond to the fire on first call. What to do? How do we work it to keep it safe, etc.
After we were done with the first scenario we moved on to another one. One about a fire in a trailer that had hit a power pole and live wires over top. People trapped inside. Again only five of us could respond.
We discussed with the project Captain on each situation and about our thoughts on protecting the community, business, etc and keeping ourselves as fire fighters, safe. He talked with us about where we could improve our ideas and even liked some of our ideas too.
The chief and one of the captains took time to prepare a nice Christmas snack for us as we were out learning about the new headsets for the trucks. He did a cold cuts platter, cheese platter, veggies and dip:) It was great to sit and enjoy time with the guys, laughing, joking and hanging out.
We are taking next Wednesday off from fire practice. Have a great week and Merry Christmas everyone!
After we were done with the first scenario we moved on to another one. One about a fire in a trailer that had hit a power pole and live wires over top. People trapped inside. Again only five of us could respond.
We discussed with the project Captain on each situation and about our thoughts on protecting the community, business, etc and keeping ourselves as fire fighters, safe. He talked with us about where we could improve our ideas and even liked some of our ideas too.
The chief and one of the captains took time to prepare a nice Christmas snack for us as we were out learning about the new headsets for the trucks. He did a cold cuts platter, cheese platter, veggies and dip:) It was great to sit and enjoy time with the guys, laughing, joking and hanging out.
We are taking next Wednesday off from fire practice. Have a great week and Merry Christmas everyone!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Meetings don't always run smooth or on time
Fire practice last night was about checking the fuel and liquid levels in all the machines and trucks before our meeting.
We discussed old business, new business and plans for the future in the hall. Yeah pretty boring I know. But it's kinda funny when in the middle of a meeting someone pipes up "can we talk about the turkey?"
Silence in the room as we all look around to see first who said it and what do they mean considering we're discussing budgets. Chief asked for the person to repeat the question....silence then the question is repeated by a member, not the same person as the first time though. The Chairman wants to know why it's important to discuss now. Original person pipes up, "because we bought it for the Christmas dinner and it didn't get cooked. It's on the budget."
Ok, so our fearless leaders are trying very hard to keep a straight face AND maintain order in the room. Not going over very well as we're all cracking up. The Chief very politely told the gentleman we would discuss the issue of the bird after we'd finished what was already on the floor.
What does the fireman do? He looks under the table! "What's on the floor? Should we get a mop?" Ok, that pretty much ended the society meeting right there. After that, everything kinda went to hell in a hand basket. We did get the meeting finished and the RDOS one too but things ran later then normal. Then we all pulled out the leftovers from the party and had dinner together:)
In the end the turkey was donated to Helping Hands along with a charity cheque from the hall. We did get it all worked out but with much laughing and a few stern looks from our Chief...hee hee
We discussed old business, new business and plans for the future in the hall. Yeah pretty boring I know. But it's kinda funny when in the middle of a meeting someone pipes up "can we talk about the turkey?"
Silence in the room as we all look around to see first who said it and what do they mean considering we're discussing budgets. Chief asked for the person to repeat the question....silence then the question is repeated by a member, not the same person as the first time though. The Chairman wants to know why it's important to discuss now. Original person pipes up, "because we bought it for the Christmas dinner and it didn't get cooked. It's on the budget."
Ok, so our fearless leaders are trying very hard to keep a straight face AND maintain order in the room. Not going over very well as we're all cracking up. The Chief very politely told the gentleman we would discuss the issue of the bird after we'd finished what was already on the floor.
What does the fireman do? He looks under the table! "What's on the floor? Should we get a mop?" Ok, that pretty much ended the society meeting right there. After that, everything kinda went to hell in a hand basket. We did get the meeting finished and the RDOS one too but things ran later then normal. Then we all pulled out the leftovers from the party and had dinner together:)
In the end the turkey was donated to Helping Hands along with a charity cheque from the hall. We did get it all worked out but with much laughing and a few stern looks from our Chief...hee hee
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Twas Another Wednesday Night Fire Practice
Wednesday night again and all is quiet at the hall.
Not a fireman hollering, not even a call.
28 Stockings where hung under the whiteboard with care,
in order of older to younger, me in the middle somewhere.
Garland up on the ceiling with style while the red lights glowed from the corners for miles.
A crew put up the Flagpole in a hurry, then...what was that noise,
a clatter and crash, not to mention the roar of laughter... such a scurry and dash as we rushed out to see what was the matter. When to our wondering eyes we saw
not a flag on the mast but a wee little fire fighter up there trying not to fall. He clung with his life way up the pole,how to get him down we pondered while we stared in awe as to how he got up there.
I was told to stay around as he was too short and wouldn't stay on the ground.
After we brought the stranded man down and flag went up without a hitch we went inside shaking our heads and talking at a low pitch.
Not a moment later we hear the chief shout, "Clean the equipment or the party is out!" We scurried to and fro, scrubbing and polishing the gym equipment till it glowed.
Some of us were sent to finish the party trims and sweeping up after the tinsel had been found.
At the end of it all we sat around the table, nodding to each other and grinning our silly grins.
We had done good and now it was time to play.
See you all Saturday night, with our party shoes on and empty tummies to be filled.
Happy Wednesday to all and a good night!
Not a fireman hollering, not even a call.
28 Stockings where hung under the whiteboard with care,
in order of older to younger, me in the middle somewhere.
Garland up on the ceiling with style while the red lights glowed from the corners for miles.
A crew put up the Flagpole in a hurry, then...what was that noise,
a clatter and crash, not to mention the roar of laughter... such a scurry and dash as we rushed out to see what was the matter. When to our wondering eyes we saw
not a flag on the mast but a wee little fire fighter up there trying not to fall. He clung with his life way up the pole,how to get him down we pondered while we stared in awe as to how he got up there.
I was told to stay around as he was too short and wouldn't stay on the ground.
After we brought the stranded man down and flag went up without a hitch we went inside shaking our heads and talking at a low pitch.
Not a moment later we hear the chief shout, "Clean the equipment or the party is out!" We scurried to and fro, scrubbing and polishing the gym equipment till it glowed.
Some of us were sent to finish the party trims and sweeping up after the tinsel had been found.
At the end of it all we sat around the table, nodding to each other and grinning our silly grins.
We had done good and now it was time to play.
See you all Saturday night, with our party shoes on and empty tummies to be filled.
Happy Wednesday to all and a good night!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)