It has been a while since I have been on here. I have just found myself very busy lately with my schedule and unable to get on here so if anyone out there was wondering what happened… Now you know. My shifts at the fire house are going really well. I am slowly becoming more confident in my abilities and everything is making more sense. I still have a couple of random issues but with time I am sure I will be able to overcome those issues. This internship has been a great experience and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get some hands on knowledge.

No fire’s yet, but being that we are just now slipping into fire season I am very hopeful I will get one soon.  For the most part it seems like every thing has slowed down I havent had very many medical calls lately either…Maybe I am just bad luck :). I am hoping that these next couple shifts bring some calls my way .

Technorati Tags: Internship

Knowing your way around the kitchen is an absolute necessity in the Fire house. As a newbie you are only as valuable as your skill on the fire ground and your skill at the range. This weekend I was reminded of that through a funny situation which happened at the fire house. I myself am a good cook. I have no issues cooking up meat, pasta rice, stir fry etc…you name it I can figure out a way to make it appeal to your taste buds. Because I dont have very many issues in the kitchen I take for granted the fact that some people cannot cook to save their life.

I just want to preface this story with I hope it doesn’t offend the person it is about…you know who you are. In consolation for writing this if you ever want some tips on cooking I will be more than happy to help you out. With that said let me tell you a story of absolute incompetence in the kitchen.

The other day when I was at the Fire house it came time for lunch and two of the other firefighters were tryig top figure out what to eat. It was Easter so most of the regualr places were closed. I had brought my own lunch so I was not involved in their decision making but they decided to make chicken cesaer salad for lunch. Once they decided what they needed the Intern headed out to the store. Before leaving our officer asked him if he needed a list. The intern said no and that he could remember what he needed to get. The list if written down would have consisted of the following: Romaine lettuce, chicken breast, artichoke dip, ceaser salad dressing and a loaf of sour dough.  About 20 min after leaving the intern returned with a bag full of groceries. The officer checked it out and at first glance everything looked good so he went on to do his thing. when he returned to the kitchen a few minutes later and everythig was layed out he immediately broke into laughter. Rather then the ideal items that would have been on the list the intern had returned with cabbage instead of lettuce, pesto dip instead of artichoke dip, sliced bread instead of a loaf of sourdough and no salad dressing. After a period good period of laughter thye decided just to wing it and they were lucky to find that there was a little bit of iceberg lettuce in the fridge along with some alad dressing.  They proceeded to cook the chicken and luckily it didnt turn out too poorly eventhough it too got a tab bit over cooked. After joking around for a bit at the other interns expense we stressed to him he has to learn how to cook. It turns out he has never really learned and just wanted to wing it. So the  moral of the story is…don’t wing it…learn or ask because a fire fighter will never forgive you for messing up his meal.

I am more then happy to help the intern out if he needs som help, I can write up some quick recipes if he wants or even take him to the store and show him the difference between cabbage and romaine hearts :).

Technorati Tags: cooking, Internship, kitchen

This weekend was long, but in a good way. I worked both saturday and sunday out at the station, the weather was beautiful, we had a number of calls and both nights I had a warm meal waiting for me at home after my shift…It doesn’t get better then that.

Saturday was fun, we started off with the normal; Saturday checks where we go through all of the equipment on the engines and make sure they work, then once all the engines were finished I started on some of the station cleaning. Around 0830-0900 we received a medical  call for some type of attack (either heart or stroke) when we got on scene we found a 50 yow on the ground at the top of the stairs. she could speak but with difficulty so we ran her through the stroke tests. She passed fine but she still had difficulty speaking and walking. It was obvious she was trying to speak but 0nly every other word could be understood. The ambulance arrived on scene at the same time we did  so they  pretty much took over while we tried to gather info from the husband.

It is always hard seeing your loved ones in pain.  Seeing the husband and how upset he was with no ability to do anything really reminded me of how I felt when my father had a stroke. Unfortuanately my father was out of state on vacation with my mother and sister so I was unable to see him until a week after the attack occured, but being in the husbands shoes and seeing your wife go through that first hand must be devistating.

As a professional our job is to offer a service to the patient and the husband but service is a fine line. Our duty is to support our community in their time of need, the only support I could give the husband was just to say I am sorry and let him see through our actions that we care and wish him the best. You cannot tell him everything will be okay, or she will be fine because that is a lie and it would be wrong of you to offer false hope. My father has recovered well but is still not the person he was before the stroke. He is now medicated on a number of blood thinners, he know longer is able to work with computers (he was a computer engineer) and he forgets things that are common sense  to most people. With that said he is still an absolutely brilliant and caring person. If you didn’t know him before the stroke you would have no idea that he has changed. But being close to him I have noticed, I can see the change. Saturday I felt for the husband because I knew that even if his wife was able to come home and continue to live a happy life, she would be changed and even if no one else noticed, he would.

After the cleaning and engines checks we had lunch and then spent the end of the day doing training.  After we ran through and discussed a couple of company standards we went over to the ventilation prop and the officer on shift discussed ventialltion with me and I was able to get some time on the prop with a saw. Ventilation is definitely a practiced skill, and even though I was just cutting through O.S.B I could imagine how much more difficult it would be to feel the rafters if you had to cut through shingles as well. After the ventilation training we  drove a around some to give the other fire fighter on duty some driving time for his engineer training.  While driving around we got toned out for a vehicle accident accross town, but unfortunately we were so far away that by the time we got there we were no longer needed at the call. So we finished driving around and then headed back to the station. By the time we got back to the station it was nearly time to go so we finished cleaning up the house and then I took off.

Sunday was a busy day too. being that it was Easter the day had a mellow lazy feel to it. Me and another intern finished out engine duties and then set to clean the station. Once the station was cleaned we went over the company standards and then prepared for lunch. After lunch we went over to the local middle school for training. We trained until about 1530-1600 and then went back to the station. At about 1630 we were toned out to a single vehicle accident with an SUV into a tree. On scene it was my job to turn traffic around because the road was closed due to the vehicle in the middle of the road. There were 4 patients injured none seriously but all were taken to the hospital. The SUV wasn’t too damamged but any kind of vehice accident has the potential for great bodily injury. After the scene was cleaned up we went back to the station and by that time it was already 1715, so I got my stuff together and headed out.  In all it was a very busy but fun weekend, like usual I learned alot.  I also woke up very sore this morning

Technorati Tags: Calls, Internship, Training

The Weather has been gorgeous lately. I wish we had received more rain this winter but the sun sure does feel good. I have had a few calls out at the station but nothing extremely exciting. We had a 3 car accident 3 weeks ago and then the occasional medical. I seem to be missing all the good calls. We have had a few vehicle fires, but they occurred at night and unfortunately I only work days. The good side of having less calls lately is that I have had much more time for training.
I have been trying to become more proficient at the company standards.
When we aren’t practicing in the parking lot of a near by school, I have been working with the engines behind the station.The company standards which I have been focusing on the most deal with the pulling of the 1 3/4″ and the 2 1/2″ skid load. I am slowly getting better and I know that it just takes time. Sooner or later I know I will get it down and my actions will be based more on muscular memory rather than frantic motions.

Technorati Tags: Internship, Training

I received information back from the Sonoma County Search and Rescue team and I was accepted to move on to the next level. The next thing I have to do is complete a Background Check. I am sure I will do fine with the check because I really have nothing bad in my past. I am excited about the experiences and knowledge I will be gaining as a volunteer for the county. It will be a little different than I am used to, being that this is a sheriff operated division but it will still be great experience. Once this semester is over I am hoping to start going to the Sonoma County Hazmat training so that after 9 months of that I can hopefully get onto the team as a volunteer there as well.

Technorati Tags: HAZMAT, SAR, Volunteer

I have an Interview today with Sonoma County Search and rescue for a volunteer position. I am very excited. I have been interested in Search and Rescue since I was a little kid listening to my dad tell stories about his experiences as being president of search and rescue at college in Santa Fe. I think it will be a great experience to be involved with the Sonoma County SAR team because not only am I doing something great for my community, but it will also offer me great training and experience which I can use on my resumes later on down the road. They train you in everything from rope systems and Compass use to tracking. Hopefully the interview goes well. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Technorati Tags: interview, SAR

Thanks a lot for responding to my e-mail! Its truly a blessing that i can receive such GREAT advise from you.

Also right when i get back from the Fire Academy i will make sure i complete a E.M.T. class and speak to my local fire departments to see if i can either be a volunteer or be part of there internship.

Also one more thing. The college i am going to is recommending either taking an E.M.T. 1 class or a First Responder class before starting the Fire academy.
Are those classes two different things?

Once again thanks so much for all your advise it is truly going to help me out with my career.

Have a great day.
God bless.

My Response:

EMT-1 (also known as EMT-B) and first responder are very different. First responder is much more basic and can be seen as an introductory class to the emergency medical field. First Responder is usually required to get into an internship, volunteer for a department or become enrolled in a FF1 Academy. EMT-B is the minimum level required to work for a department in California or on an ambulance. It generally takes about 120 or more hours of training to be certified as an EMT-B. First responders only requires about 24-40 hours of training. I would definitely take EMT-B but first responder is definitely a pre-req for the EMT course.
So If I were you I would get on that ASAP. Most of the calls you will run with fire departments now days are medically based so it is very important to give yourself a strong foundation in the emergency medical field. I wish you the best of luck with those courses and please let me know if you have any other questions.

Technorati Tags: EMT-B, First Responder

I received an email the other day from an individual who is looking to get into the fire service. He told me what he was planning to do and then wanted to know if there were any other ways I thought he might be able to get his foot in the door. Below is the message he sent me along with my response. I thought it would be helpful to post this letter on here because I am sure there are other people out there who have similar questions.

Hi,
My name is ***and i have a dream of being a fire fighter and there is nothing else i want to do.
I really love your blogs. they have so much detail and so much information i can use for my growth in the fire field.
As for me. Im going to be going to *** college Fire Academy for my Firefighter 1 certificate in August 2009. Hopefully the school has a great track record on getting being hired at stations and states.
But other then that is there anything you may help me with that can greater my resume for when i go in for interviews at stations?
so far all i have planned to do is get my firefighter 1 certificate and my EMT 1.
Is there anything else that will better my chance and put me on the top?
I am also 19 turning 20 in august. I live in ***, CA.
Thanks for your help with all your blogs hope to hear from you soon!
God bless.

Thank you for the message *** I appreciate your support.
I would definitely recommend getting your EMT-B and completing FF1. I would also recommend getting your A.S in Fire technology and getting experience with a department. Education is finally becoming important in the fire service because the competition is so fierce that departments really want to find the top candidates. Getting your A.S as a minimum shows you have dedication and are willing to put in the work and time to go farther in your career. As well as it shows you want to better yourself through a well rounded education.

Getting experience Is still very important though. I didn’t truly understand what I was taught in the classroom until I was able to get some hands on time by working at a station. I would definitely recommend getting either an internship (FF1 academy is usually required for this, check with your local departments) or getting on with a department as a volunteer.

I am currently an Intern and I am finding that it is a great experience. I am learning a lot about my department, about the fire service and about myself. As an intern at my station I am required to fulfill a certain number of shifts per month. That is one reason I think an Internship is more beneficial than being a volunteer, for brand new firefighters with little or no experience. It is pretty much just jumping straight into the deep end, so to speak. As an intern you are a firefighter in most departments and you respond to calls as a firefighter. You have the same duties around the fire house as everyone else but you are also expected to put in that extra time and effort to learn as much as you can. The more you learn the more helpful and dialed in you will get.

Volunteering however, is also a great way to get experience. As a volunteer they will run you through their academy and teach you the way they want things to be done. You will also be able to learn by showing up to the calls you can make and by observing or getting involved when on scene. Departments with volunteers also usually have at least one day a week where they meet for some formal training.

I hope you find this information helpful. If you need anymore help feel free to ask. Have a great night and stay safe.

I hope that information was helpful to some people out there who had similar questions. I would also like to say if you have any questions at all feel free to ask. It is more fun to respond to comments and emails then it is to write up articles :). Hope you all have a great day. Stay safe.

Technorati Tags: Academy, Education, Internship, Questions, Volunteer

I was recently approached by an individual at Asbestos.com who requested to have an article posted on my site. I agreed because I think it is very important for us as Firefighters to have knowledge of the environment we are getting ourselves into and all of its hazards. both the visible and seemingly invisible. Below is the article and a number of links to their page. Asbestos.com is a great site to visit for information on anything ranging from the uses of asbestos to its hazards. Please Check it out.

Firefighters at Risk for Asbestos Related Cancer

For more information, see the Mesothelioma Cancer Center

Dissimilar from so many other hazards faced by firefighters, the risk of asbestos exposure is subtle and menacing. More often times than not, there are no immediate warning signs for a firefighter to know that they have been exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively in construction during the 1900s. It is a known carcinogen that increases the risk for various types of cancer. It also causes severe respiratory diseases and disorders, including asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural fibrosis. While asbestos has been prohibited for most of its uses since the 1980s, many buildings constructed before that time still contain asbestos. As a result, firefighters are in a high risk category for being exposed to asbestos on the job.

Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is disturbed and breaks off into tiny fibers that are inhaled or swallowed. When a firefighter has to deal with a fire in a home or building that contains asbestos, there is a high probability that asbestos fibers will be released into the air. This can happen when a firefighter punches a hole through a wall, ceiling or floor to rescue someone who may be trapped. If there is a collapse, there is a very high probability that broken walls, blistered paint, plaster and cement will crumble to dust that contains asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause for a rare type of cancer known as mesothelioma. This type of cancer has an unusually long latency period (usually anywhere from 15 to 50 years) and victims do not usually show symptoms until it is too late for treatment. There is currently no cure for mesothelioma and because it usually diagnosed too late, mesothelioma life expectancy is typically not very long.

The startling amount of asbestos incidents has lead to mesothelioma attorney firms advocating for and protecting the rights of firefighters and other workers by filing lawsuits against the companies that are to blame for their exposure. Until new laws are put in place that ban the use of this substance completely, hard working men and women will continue to die needlessly from asbestos related cancer.

Technorati Tags: Asbestos risk, Cancer

Continuous learning is the breath of life in the Fire Service. It is absolutely important that we as fire fighters stay up on all that is going on in different fire agencies across the United States and even around the World. Our job is no different then that of a firehouse in Virginia, Washington etc. We all face similar risks every time we walk into work and we all will at some time in our life experience Similar situations. It is of the dire most importance that we remember and learn from the mistakes and experiences of our past brothers everywhere.

Continuous learning comes in many forms. It can be as laid back as talking about calls around the fire house or as involved as taking classes at the local JC. As long as you are retaining information you did not know previously you are benefiting yourself and anyone else who may be on a call with you later on in the future. Another Great way to learn from our past is through the reading of reports.

One great site to visit is the NIOSH report page. NIOSH stands for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Any time there is a death in an occupational field a NIOSH investigation will be initiated to find out if someone is at fault, what could have been done differently and in the future what should be done to prevent such a death. They have reports on every LODD that has occurred since 1982. If you want to show true respect to those firefighters who have died throughout history one of the best ways you can do that is through reading these reports, learning from these reports and if you ever find yourself in a similar situation by making sure you act in a way that will prevent you or your fellow firefighters from getting injured. History will repeat itself unless we educate ourselves.

Technorati Tags: Education, NIOSH Reports