Training

[quikdraw67]

As you may remember, I joined the local volunteer fire department.

I know nothing about fighting fires. So I've been going to training.

In January I'll start the class for Firefighter One. That runs until May.

But in the meantime, I've taken a few training exercises.

This past Saturday we cut apart a Chevy Impala with Hurst tools and a sawzall.

That was interesting. We cut off the roof, cut off the doors, cut out the front seats, and cut the dash, but didn't remove it.

And was I sore Sunday. I should have started this 17 years ago when I moved to this neck of Penn's Woods.

Anyway, a few pics.

 

[MattLarmore]

All you need to know as a firefighter is GPMs beat BTUs. All fires will go out eventually You will learn other stuff too, but at it's core it's all about life safety and putting the wet stuff on the hot stuff.

If you enjoyed cutting cars I would advise you to take a few rescue tech courses after Fire I. It all depends on your state and their classes, but here we have about 5-7 different rescue classes, one of which being vehicle and machinery extrication.

Either way sounds like you are being active and getting along well with your fellow members, wish you the best next year in class!

 

[yaktamer]

I'll probably retire to someplace with a volunteer fire department. Figure I'll be too old to wrangle hoses, vent roofs, etc., but I'd be up for what some departments call "auxiliary" volunteers -- cleaning the station, stocking supplies, handing out water bottles, ferrying crews and equipment, maybe driving a water tender, etc.

 

[MattLarmore]

I'll probably retire to someplace with a volunteer fire department. Figure I'll be too old to wrangle hoses, vent roofs, etc., but I'd be up for what some departments call "auxiliary" volunteers -- cleaning the station, stocking supplies, handing out water bottles, ferrying crews and equipment, maybe driving a water tender, etc.

I'm not sure of your state, but Fire police have to be the single most underrated part of the fire department. It's usually old retired guys who can't fight fire anymore, but a crucial part of traffic control and auxiliary functions. Plus they always have good coffee ready!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

When one of the local lakes was at an all-time low, one of the Volunteer FD's put a couple junk cars on the exposed lake bottom for scuba training when the water level rose again. As the water lever got a few feet above the cars' roves, The FD had to put out a sign to tell people that these were for training, NOBODY JUST DROVE IN THE LAKE! The nonstop calls from Lover's Lane were driving the 911 dispatchers crazy!

Ivan

 

[Golddollar]

As you may remember, I joined the local volunteer fire department.

I know nothing about fighting fires. So I've been going to training.

And was I sore Sunday. I should have started this 17 years ago when I moved to this neck of Penn's Woods.

Congratulations to you on your decision to give back to your community.

I'm way too old and decrepit to do what you do, but I am glad that I can give back to my community by being on the Planning Commission.

 

[SAFireman]

Congrats on getting in!

I'm glad that folks are still willing to volunteer any more, we have too few in my county.

There is always a new class to take, some are even online these days.

Stay safe!