Rescue rope and safety systems...
Tonight we had our final night of the academy. We went over the basics of rope rescue and rescue systems. In this segment we learned the importance of rescue rope and knots, and how they pertain to the job we do.
In our district we have some areas that have major cliffs, as well as deep valley and steep slopes. These are especially dangerous when there is a road near by. We get many calls for vehicles over embankments, cliffs, etc. This stresses the need to know our ropes and knots as best we can.
This class was pretty fun, mainly because we got to set up different rope systems and test them on each other. Pretty fun stuff.
On another note, since this is the last 'class' I have, that means we start our testing on Wednesday of next week for our graduation from the academy. YES!!!! Also NOOOO! haha I am bad at taking tests, but I think I am ready. I will keep you posted.
Until next time...
Interesting fire fighter websites...
While searching the internet for cool new fire fighter websites I found a few really good ones of note. Here that are.
www.firefighternearmiss.com - This is the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System website. This site is gaining popularity across the nation for reporting close calls of firefighters in action. Check it out.
www.firefighterclosecalls.com - A really cool website with tons of pictures and stories of fire fighter close calls on the job.
www.fire.ca.gov/cdf/incidents/ - If you live in California like I do, you should definitely check this website out. This is the official CDF incident page, where they give updates on the major CDF events going on in the state. VERY COOL!
I will post more in the links section on the right side of the site.
Rescue and Ventilation training...
Well as I said in my last entry, we did ventilation training as well as some practice ladder stuff as well. Everything was great... Cut the 4x4 hole in the roof and get off! Not too hard, plus I have done this before so it was good review.
What I didn't know was that there was a second station set up for ladder training, but not just any ladder training. This training was designed for second story ladder rescue, of either a victim (civilian) or a fellow firefighter who had lost consciousness. This was an awesome drill... One I am glad I learned for both rescuing the people we serve but also knowing that if my brothers get in trouble I have learned but another way to get them out of it.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The ladder truck... Well, that didn't exactly work out. It turned out that they had some other stuff planned for today so we have to move it to another day. DANG! I was really looking forward to climbing the 'stick' too. Oh well, I will keep you posted on that.
Until next time...
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow we are returning to the training tower for some new training. We will be learning how to use the chainsaw in the roof, working from a ladder as well as working on the roof directly. We will be learning how to properly cut holes in the roof to release the hot gases in an involved structure.
This is a really good skill to learn and know well, because this is one major operation I will be doing the most on the fire ground as a new volunteer. Cant wait to get started.
But also tomorrow we are having a 'surprise' visit (not really because we all know about it) from a local departments ladder truck. A ladder truck is a major part of the fire service. It is a major player in rescue from high rise buildings, as well as ventilation and other specialized operations. A ladder truck has a huge extendable ladder in the top which can be moved remotely in any direction and can extend as far as it is designed to.
The ladder I will be climbing tomorrow is approximately 100ft! haha WOW. Yikes. I am a bit nervous, but at the same time this will be an experience I will not soon forget.
- Justin
Rescue Me Season 3 Returns...
** Rescue Me Season 3 returns May 30th @ 10pm! Yes! We are comin back for a 3rd season. Like I said in my last post on this subject, you really need to see this show. It is one of my favorites, and since we are going into season 3, that says something about the ratings as well.
Check it out May 30th @ 10pm only on FX!
Link to
Resuce Me Website- Justin
Nutrition facts...
I just started going to the gym today... Again. This time I'm serious. I need to get in shape. Not only for me, but for my job, and the people I serve and serve with. I have been reading a great website about nutrition its called
Intense Workout. This place is awesome. This website really gives it to you just as it is, and I like that.
I was thinking today about my diet as well. I don't know exactly what to eat. So I read about it on this website and learned what I wanted to know. Now what do I want to eat? Hard question!
I know I'm supposed to eat fruits and vegetables and stuff, but have you ever thought of what even your fruits and vegetables have in them nutritionally? Well here ya go...
NutritionData. Here you can search for any type of food, be specific on brand or very, very broad on the type of food, and it searches it database and gives you so much information you wont even believe it. Check it out... Your lives and the lives of the people around you depend on it.
- Justin
Ladder climbing drills...
I just got home from training for the night. We had fun tonight, on the ladders. We went to the local training tower and threw the 14', 24' and the 35' ladders. We practiced all the types of carries and lifts for each of them, over and over and over again! Got kinda tiring, but in the end we had tons of fun.
The 35' foot was the most challenging mainly because of its weight and bad balance when it is extended. This was also sort of a challenge for me personally because I used to be extremely scared of heights, but recently got over that fear... But there was still lingering feeling (mostly me pshycing my self out).
Good fun.
- Justin
Hose drills done... Rain still comin...
Well yesterday we finished up with the last of the hose drills. We are moving on to ladders and salvage covers now. This next couple of classes are going to be much easier then the last, mainly because there isn't as much work involved as there was in pulling and reloading hose. <-- Gets pretty old really quick! haha
The rains are still coming here in Santa Rosa, but for the most part we will be inside for the next few classes for lectures and stuff... lucky us.
Tommorow April 10th is my birthday. It sucks but I have class tommorow night.
Until next time...
- Justin
Rain and hose drills...
Well... Today it rained. AGAIN! It has rained almost the entire month of March and it kinda looks like it will rain this month too. *sigh*
But anyway... Today we were out continuing our hose drills while it dumped all over us. It wasn't so bad since our turnouts soak most of it up and have a water barrier, but it was cold and damp all day. Today we went over our cross lays and forward supply lays. It was all pretty easy since I have done most of this before, but like I said before it is nice to do again.
Other then the rain not to bad of a day. But after pulling and reloading all that hose all day I was beat... When I finally got home I slept for about 4 hours! haha
Well that's all I got tonight.
- Justin
