Review Review Review... Cuz we do forget

Someone once said, "Learn the basics, practice the basics, master the basics." He was talking about Kung Fu but actually I think it fits in every part of our lives. If we don't learn to crawl how do we learn to walk? If we don't learn what a steering wheel is, how do we know when to use it?

It's no different in the Fire Hall. You, dear reader are probably unfamiliar with hoses, what they are made of, why they work the way they do. What the gadgets, bobbles, lights and twirly things are on the trucks, why ladders come in all different sizes shapes and know some collapse while others extend. All these are basics to know, learn and understand. But more important that we can learn, understand and master besides using our gear and equipment is how we connect with each other. If we don't have trust in each other's capabilities and confidence that our partner has our back, how can we fully do our job?

Uh yes, I do have a point to this. It was learned Wednesday night. Most of the guys were on a practice, climbing ladders, hauling up ropes, equipment, working as teams and communicating through the radio. 

I and our newest member of the team were reviewing what was on the trucks, where stuff was on the trucks, what each item was used for on the trucks and how to handle said equipment. After our fire call, short handed and we two were out there with the Deputy Chief, he had decided, and I was very relieved to learn, that we needed more reviews and refreshers on everything. Putting aside rope tying, wash trucks, hanging hoses, rolling hoses... you get the idea. Yes, they are important but we needed more practical practices and I for one was happy.

I love my time at the hall and I really appreciate the years of experience the guys all have. I am like a sponge wanting more knowledge. But there are times when I read my Fire Fighter manual, ask questions or go on a call-out, I feel inadequate. I know, silly and shows a lack of confidence. However, the more I learn, the more I don't know and the more I want to know, the more humble I feel. Being a part of the fire hall is not a temporary, sometimes I'll hang out and wear the T-shirt kind of volunteer. It's a life choice and life commitment. It affects not just where I live, work, play, who I associate with but who I am inside. 

So back to the basics... I may feel inadequate for now, but that will change with reviewing, listening, learning and mastering. Just as these guys were all rookies once upon a time, I too will become a master. 

Busy Night: Fire, Labor Cramps, MVA Oh my!

I had just hung up the phone from talking with my son when a page came in about a structure fire. Sounded serious, building on fire, possibly spreading through the trees and grass. Propane tanks in the building and equipment.

Okay... I'm just getting over a cold/flu and not completely up to par in strength but when you get a page you go! I'd imagined that I would be staying at the hall because I still haven't been completely trained on fires and what use am I today?

Apparently a lot useful. Hee hee I had the pleasure, (adrenaline rush kicking in here) of riding on the first truck on scene. Was putting on air tank when the Deputy Chief said not to bother. He had something else in mind for me. Once at the base of the driveway a local drives into the area and a woman, jumps out freaking out about her grandparents. I look at DC and he just nods and waves his hand at me. I turned to her and proceeded to talk with her. She really wants to get up to the house to see her grandparents. I told her we couldn't let her do that until we knew what was happening. Once everything was under control then we could help her get closer. She started to feel cramping, yes she was pregnant and the anxiety was starting to take hold. I gave her instructions on taking deep breaths and relax so  she didn't go into premature labor. Fires and labor just wasn't in our plan but we could have worked with it. I'd prefer not to. One new experience at a time for me, thank you very much.

We talked about her pregnancy and she seemed to calm down a bit so she went back to her truck and waited. She was feeling twinges and I warned the Captain. He said he'd keep an eye on her. I then turned to the Deputy Chief for further instructions and he had me check the size of hose we neede for the hydrant. I get the information to him and someone came to double check my sizing. It was correct :)

Then DC had me grab the hose and follow the truck up with it, letting him know when it gets tight. Hydrant hose in hand I proceeded to follow him up the hill. He then asked me to hook up the hose to the truck at the top of the hill and get it ready for the hydrant to be opened. Ok, I've not done this before! He mentioned, hose wrenches... uhhhhh where? Oh to the right. Ok, got them. Then at some point he swore, don't worry it wasn't me he was mad at, adrenaline rush here people! I softly said, "Sorry sir, never done this before. Might not be the most experienced but I can learn fast. Tell me what you need." He looked at me, smiled and gently told me how to hook things up while he unrolled more hoses. The attack team was getting the hoses to the fire while another member hooked up the two attack lines to the truck. By the time DC and I got the main hose hooked up, the attack lines were ready to go. "Let her rip!" DC hollers into the radio.

I never knew structure fires could be sooooo loud. It was deafining. I just assumed they would be like a fire in the fire place or pits... was I wrong.

After we attacked the fire got it out and did our perimeter check. DC pulled me aside and said I did good for a first timer. I was proud of our team. We were short on members and the three of us rookies kept our heads and did what we had to do. Four members stayed on scene for a couple hours while the rest of us were sent back to the hall.

Smile :)

Back at the hall we were undressing and just as I was hanging up my gear, putting on my shoes, we got an MVA call. Here we go again! Something new and sounded really serious. I looked at my Chief, he nodded and said, "Go". I grabbed my gear and donned it again. Hopped into the truck and off we went. Get almost to the scene when we were cancelled. Ugh, turn the truck around and head back home.

It's now 3:30AM and I'm finally slowing down. Think I'll sleep in today.

CPR Practice on Dummies

As you can imagine, having read my blogs about being a volunteer fire fighter, this isn't just another night of serious learning.

If you call, wise cracking, hilarious boys, timing their breathing and pushing on a dummy's chest, serious learning. I'd taken ECE many years ago and had a pretty good idea what we would be doing on the baby dummy.

Infant dummy we have at the hall

The bigger dummy, no arms or legs, pretty much bodiless accept for the chest and head was different then I'd expected. Some assembly was required... hee hee

This is the model we have at the hall for the adult CPR practice

Learning 30:2 and 15:2, differences between adults, infants, kids, 100 compressions per minute and then including alone or with a partner can be a bit overwhelming in a regular classroom. However with this team I got a kick out of listening to them making jokes and even asking reasonable questions before I could even ask. Its all fun and games with my Hall and yet in all the fun and games I have learned so much from the regular members. And as with all learning, the more I learn, the more I don't know, the more I want to learn :)

Have a great read and see you next time.