Do Not Try This At Home

Reporting From Off Scene

There's a story or more like a rumor, going around the internet on Facebook where it talks about burning a crayon in an emergency instead of a regular candle.  Here's the graphic that we made, you may see one similar.

First of all, we do not under any circumstances recommend trying to burn a crayon.  Crayons are not intended to be used as candles and they do not burn as clean as a 'real' candle.  We tried this experiment and here are our conclusions...

1}  We used regular matches, the ones that most people would find in their homes.  It took us more than a full pack of matches to actually start the tip of the crayon on fire. The paper burns easily but it takes several tries/matches to actually get the flame going.

2}  Most rumors will tell you that the crayon will stay lit for 30 minutes.  Our crayola crayon only stayed lit for 10-12 minutes.

3}  The flame does not burn consistently, it stinks (may irritate some noses), and if you do not have it properly secured in a holder it will fall over causing hot wax to spill over.  We all agreed, that we would be very uncomfortable burning a crayon in our home.

Plus, the major reason why we do not condone, besides the above reasons, burning crayons in place of candles... is that should young people see this, it would be sending a very wrong and dangerous message to them.  It is NOT OK for a child to see something that they play with, as a source of fire.  Kids are generally curious enough as it is, this is something that they should not observe.  Let's set a good example for our kids and not associate something that they play with, as a means to produce fire.

If you're looking for an inexpensive light source in the case of an emergency, you're much better off stocking up on a few candles and holders from the dollar store, which are safer and last much longer.  Better yet, grab yourself a good flashlight and always have extra batteries.

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    LadderJockey
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Think Twice About Sleeping Naked

Reporting from On Scene
Incident: Medical Assist


I don't know how many of you have ever been told by your mother to put on clean underwear before going out in case you are ever in an accident and need to go to the hospital, but I have some advice that pertains to staying at home:

Don't sleep naked!

That way, when you wake up having one serious major asthma attack (or some other emergency) you are not found unconscious and naked on the floor after dialing # 911 by 4 firefighters, 2 paramedics and 2 police officers.  That can/could be rather embarrassing as a woman in her early 30's found out.

We ended up covering her up with some sheets and loading her for transport to ER while giving her a breathing treatment.

I guess that her mother didn't quite prepare her for everything.

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      Lieutenant
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Helping Fido & Kitty In an Emergency!

Reporting From Off Scene

If you are like us, we love our companions, our four legged friends. We don't want to see harm come to them so it's really important as responsible pet owners to take actions to prevent our pets from starting fires as well as prevent them from being hurt in a fire.

Ways to prevent Fido & Kitty from starting an accidental fire:

• Never leave a pet unattended around an open flame. Pets are curious in nature and are attracted to cooking appliances, candle flames and fires. Use flameless candles, which remove the danger associated with your pet knocking the lit candle over.
• Never leave glass food/water bowls sitting out on wooden decks. In the summer especially, the sun can heat up and filter through the water, which 'could' ignite the wooden deck. 
• We also recommend removing knobs on stove or at least cover them so your furry critter can not move them, igniting a fire.
• Check your residence for any exposed wiring that your pet may be tempted to chew on. Not only could this cause a fire, it will certainly harm them in other ways.

Ways to keep Fido, Kitty, etc. safer in the event of a fire:

• Alert firefighters to the presence of pet(s) in the home with the use of "Save My Pet" stickers/decals that clearly indicate the type of pet you have and the number of pets. These stickers should be displayed on all doors and some windows. These stickers/decals must be kept up to date and REMOVED when you move or no longer require them. If firefighters know in advance that there are beloved pets inside, they will be more mindful when doing their searches.  Stickers/decals can be obtained at your local Veterinarian's office or through your local Humane Society,
• Practice your fire escape home plans with your pets!
• Keep collars on pets and think about hanging leashes by the doors. Often pets will wait by doors and will try and run out when firefighters come in.
• If possible, a pet door does provide your pet with an escape route. If it's necessary to confine your pet to a kennel, think about placing that kennel in a room or area close to a door so firefighters can easily find them. *Keep in mind, pets are more likely to be harmed or even die in a fire when they are locked in a kennel or room.
• For your own piece of mind, take a mental note of where your pet likes to sleep or hide in case you must evacuate your home fast.

With a little preparation and planning, you can help us protect your beloved Fido & Kitty from fires and fire emergencies.

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Engineer aka: Chauffeur  
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"Save My Pet"

Reporting from Off Scene


Some home owners display a "Save My Pet" decal/sticker on their front and back doors to let emergency services personnel know that there are pets inside the residence. Some of these stickers/decals have spaces where you can fill out what types of pets and how many you have.

Some have questioned, do they really work?  Truthfully, it depends on the particular fire department involved and the circumstances surrounding the emergency.  If it is safe to do so, firefighters will look for your pet.  Many of us have pets of our own and we clearly understand that pets are an extension to the family unit. However, it's important to keep in mind that we see people, as the bigger priority than pets in any emergency situation.  You can't expect emergency service personnel to run into a burning building or an unsafe structure for a pet once all of the people have been safely evacuated, but the stickers/decals can make a difference if firefighters are doing primary or secondary searches/checks in buildings. If we know in advance that there is a pet, we will be able to safely look for it. Keep in mind that if you live in a house or an apartment and there's a fire, firefighters may come in through a window and not necessarily the front or back door. So, we encourage home owners with pets to place stickers/decals near their windows as well as on their front and/or back doors.

One of our biggest issues with the use of these stickers/decals, and one reason why firefighters may not completely pay attention to them (and it's not because we don't care or are heartless WRONG!!), it is because many pet owners don't bother to remove the stickers/decals when they move or when they no longer have pets.  With this mind, there are many situations where firefighters have re-entered an unsafe structure to do one last search in hope of recovering the family pet, which endangers their own safety... only to find out that there was NO PET!!!

We suggest that you get to know your neighbours and try to remain on friendly terms with them. Let them know that you have pets, what kinds, how many and even their name. When you're not around in an emergency, they can help by keeping an eye out for your pet and/or let firefighters know about them. Be sure to notify the company that monitors your home alarm system that you have pets. Pets aren't able to call 911, but the company monitoring your fire alarm system can alert police and firefighters in advance, that there are beloved pets in the home.

These stickers/decals certainly don't hurt and can come in quite handy in case of an emergency but PLEASE REMOVE "Save My Pet" stickers/decals, when and if they are no longer needed. Your local fire department would appreciate it!

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    LadderJockey
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The Empty Table at Easter

Reporting From Off Scene

We shall set a place for two this Easter. This table will be proudly set for the members in our profession who are missing from our midst today. The firefighters who were to sit here, died in the line of duty or afterwards, none the less they made the ultimate sacrifice. This table for two will forever be referred to as "The Empty Table", a tribute to all firefighters who now watch over us as guardians.

"Empty Table" photo was taken on June 10, 2012 by Steven Walsh who was attending a memorial for fallen firefighters.  His father, Joseph F Walsh III was amongst those being honored, who had died from job related cancer on April 27, 2012.

To those in their communities, they are firefighters. To us, they are brothers and sisters. This is the perfect holiday/occasion to reflect on the symbolism of this place/table that has been set for our fallen members.

The table is set for two.  Two in - two out, the firefighter's rule!

The white table cloth symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their department's every call, their devotion and loyalty to every firefighter, and their communities.

The floral arrangement has a story to tell of it's own.  You see, the red rose, is for those who made the ultimate sacrifice - they gave their own life so that others could live, it shows that we mourn, honor and miss them. The white rose, is for those who witnessed and experienced tragedy and destruction first-hand, and are still with us today by the grace of God.

The slice of lemon is placed upon the plate to remind us of their bitter fate and the bitterness of faith felt by those left behind to carry on without them.

The salt is placed upon the plate, symbolic of the many tears shed by family and friends and all those who suffer the pain of losing them.

The glass will remain inverted - as they are not able to toast with us.

The chair will remain empty - they are not here, but let's not forget them.

The last item is the Firefighter's Flag "Loyal To Our Duty", because it keeps us humble and reminds us of all the firefighters that are with us and all those that have gone before us.

This "Empty Table" serves to remind us that in this profession, we are all brothers and sisters and we hold one thing dear to us all, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. and the fact that we shall NEVER FORGET!

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       Crew 14 Members
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If You Run... You Go To Jail Tired!

Reporting from On Scene
Incident: Garage Fire

As we were pulling away from the fire hall, our radios came to life and we found ourselves responding to a structural fire. The police were already on scene and were reporting smoke coming from the garage,

Of course, the first thing that we noticed when pulling up on scene, was the smoke. Next, we couldn't help but notice all the cops surrounding the residence, 3-4 cop cars at least. Just as the air brake was set, I jumped from the rig. One of the officers came running over and told us that there were boxes of clothes burning in the garage.

We made our way into the badly cluttered garage and sure enough, there were a few boxes which appeared to be clothes, fully engulfed in flames. I used my hook to start pulling the boxes on fire out and to my surprise, I lifted what appeared to be a burning pair of men's underwear that got snagged on my hook out!

I held up the burning pair of underwear and said to our Captain, "Man alive! That had to be one heck of a spicy meal to have set this pair of underwear on fire!"  After we got all the boxes pulled out, we used our thermal imager to make sure that there were no hot spots left in the garage.

Being the curious person that I am, afterwards I asked one of the cops still on scene what the story was with this call. He indicated to me that they had showed up that afternoon to arrest the guy for breech of parole. The guy ran from his house straight to the garage, possibly to hide when he saw the police cars show up. The guy obviously could hear the police officers outside the big garage door and in a vain attempt to get away, he lit the boxes on fire and then bolted out the side door of the garage... directly into the arms of the waiting police officers.  This bad guy had a history of running from the law, and this time, the police were well prepared.

Not sure what this guy was thinking. Not sure what his logic was for setting the boxes on fire either. He just added more charges to his already growing list of offences. And did he really think that the police would not be at both doors?  Although some cops may look stupid, they really are not!

Any ways, made for a good call. Some times, it's the silly calls that really make our day.

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      Lieutenant
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On With The Show...

Reporting from on Scene
Incident: Residential Fire


There I was, startled awake in the middle of the night by the tones dropping... "Engines 12, 4, Truck 4, Rescue 12, Safety Officer 1, etc ... report coming in of a house fire." Threw myself from my bunk, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, making my way to the bay quickly.

Pants on, nomex, jacket now on... everything is zipped, buckled up, and tightened down leaving no room for fire to sneak through. We're rolling out, SCBA on, air on, mask, helmet and now gloves. Another report comes in "...lots of smoke in the air!"  From in front me I hear "Shit, we've got one!"

The pounding in my chest speeds up a little faster. Adrenalin starts pumping.  Finding myself making a mental check-list, because I know we're going to be the second engine on scene. Thinking to myself, gotta catch that hydrant!

Report now coming in from first engine on scene "... we have plenty of smoke and fire showing from C/D corner. I was correct, second engine to roll in. From beside me I hear a shout "You've got this Shadow ... go, go, go!"  Just as the engine rolls to a stop, I take that leap of faith. Grab the hose, hydrant bag, hydrant assist. Time to go, go, go because we gotta get the water flowing. The hydrant's on!  Back with the crew and jumped on a line. Air is flowing and I'm headed into the black unknown because it's on with the show!

Fast forward about an hour and a half later, we're rolling back to the station.  Silence in the cab. Then out from no where my ears perked up to hear "Probie gets to pick the ice-cream!" Yesssss!  The fact that I got to pick the ice-cream, made for the perfect curtain call.

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       Shadow
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There's a Reason They Don't Teach This in Boy Scouts

Reporting from on scene

Incident: Residential Structural Fire

First, get some wood. Second, go buy a bag of Lays potato chips (...other ships will work, but not as good.) Now, place your bag in the centre of your fire pit. Set up your collection of small pieces of wood around your potato chip bag but be sure to leave the corner of the bag completely exposed. Now, light the bag on fire.

This folks, is how you build one hell of a roaring fire over just a few minutes.

The saturated oils in the potato chips are very flammable.  The bag will quickly disintegrate and you will be left with a roaring fire. Lays plain potato chips do work best because they are thin and they have a high concentration of fat compared to other brands.

If you are someone that is going to try and do this because you were warned not to do this, please do so in a safe manner.... unlike a call we took where a young teen saw this video on how to start a fire with potato chips on YouTube... he decided to use a book, half a bag of cedar shavings for his hamster cage and a large bag of chips... in his basement!

Which brings us back to our number one rule: Don't play with matches/lighters!

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      Firegeezer
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Odd Fellows They Are

Reporting from On Scene
Incident:  Fire Hall Conversations


So, here I am sitting in my office, across from our day room where the crew have decided to take a break and grab some down time.  I am sitting at my desk thumbing through some reports when I hear:

(While reading a magazine) "Have you guys not noticed that taco cat spelled backwards is still taco cat?" (FF #1)
"I am not sure what to do with this info." (FF #2)
"And that dog food lid spelled backwards is dildo of god?" (FF #1)
"I don't know what to do with this info either!" (FF #2)

I went to the kitchen shortly after, and walking back to my office with a hot cup of tea, I hear from the men's washroom:

"Why the hell do you do that?" (FF #3)
"What?  Have you never seen a curling iron? This chest air isn't going to curl itself!" (FF #4)

Done my reports, I head to the day room to join the men, I sit down as they are in the midst of a conversation, which I am not sure how it started:

"It's not just bacon, it's a pig." (FF #1)
"It's not veal, it's a calf." (FF #2)
"It's not steak, it's a cow." (FF #1)
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorno." (FF #3)
"It's not a scene, it's a g*d damn arms race." (FF #1)
"It's not leviosAR, it's leviOsa!" (FF #2)
"Maybe it's Maybelline." (FF #4)

**Everyone looks at FF #4 with a WTF!!! look!**

"I am Sparta! Better?" (FF #4)

Needless to say, I guess these were just a few of those 'you had to be there' moments. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

These men certainly do make the time go by quickly.

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        captain
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Fire Hall Bread Sticks!

Reporting from On Scene

Incident:  Fire Hall Cooking

What's on the menu you asked? 

How about easy, fast... 

 Fire Hall Bread Sticks!

Have to say, that these Fire Hall Bread Sticks are perfect for making at the fire hall as they are quick and easy and very addicting!  

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups of flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup of butter

1 1/2 cups of warm water

1 package of quick rise yeast

2 tbsp sugar

garlic salt

Parmesan cheese

Parsley for garnish

Mix together the flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Next, add your warm water to the mixture.  If the dough remains sticky, try adding 1/4 or 1/2 cup more of flour. If you are going to knead by hand, you will need to do so for about 10 minutes.  Otherwise, I recommend using the dough hook on your Kitchen-aid mixer.  FYI:  If you plan on using your Kitchen-aid mixer to mix the dough, I would suggest that you place your Kitchen-aid mixer facing the wall - the damn thing has a mind of its own and it will go for a walk about on your counter.  Once you have finished mixing/kneading the dough, let the dough sit for a few minutes before rolling.

In a smaller bowl, melt the 1/2 cup of butter. Pour half of the butter onto the bottom of your pan. On a floured surface, roll our your dough so that it's the same size of the pan. Transfer the rolled out dough to the pan.  Try to roll the dough out to the very edges of the pan. Pour the rest of the melted butter on top of the dough. Now that the butter has been spread across the dough, sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese, Parsley and garlic salt to your liking.  We like lots!  Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into bread stick sizes.

Place the pan in your 'unheated' (as the oven heats, your dough will rise) oven and bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes. 

Once done, let cool for a few minutes and serve!

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       Shadow
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Working with Psychopaths

Reporting From Off Scene

When off shift, I like to catch a movie or two.  When I watch a movie, I enjoy it more if I can empathize with one of the characters.  I imagine myself in his situation:  solving a crime, having sex with that bimbo, wearing a leotard while battling injustice and what ever else. (scratch wearing a leotard)  It's hard to enjoy a movie if I can't relate to how the characters are feeling, even if they are quite different from me.  That's normal right?

So how the hell does one explain the popularity of horror movies?

There are only two kinds of characters in a horror flick:  the victims who are dying of horrible deaths, and the psychopaths that are doing the killing.  My problem with those movies is that I automatically empathize with the victims, and I can feel their pain.  When a character gets impaled with a sharp object, I imagine what that would feel like.  I think it would hurt. So, I steer clear of horror movies. Yet millions of people enjoy this type of entertainment.  Here's a frightening little question of the day:  Who are horror movie fans empathizing with?

So, I did a poll on the guys at the station.  Their answers by a landslide, they empathize with the killer and some mentioned that they imagine themselves as the killer... thinking how cool it would be to disembowel some cocky teenagers.  Jeezus-fricken-christ!!!!  And to think, these guys here at the station look like normal people.

I wonder how many times while on shift that I have had to give direction to someone, and they stand there looking at me thinking 'It sure would be fun to drive a spike through the Lieutenant's forehead and make a vest from his skin.'  It probably happens more often than I'd like.

Do you enjoy horror movies?  If so, what the heck is wrong with you?

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      Lieutenant
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Egomaniacs Need Not To Apply

Reporting From On Scene
Incident: Dealing With Ego

I am what some would refer to as 'old school'.  I am dependable. I show up early and always on time for the start of my shift. I am never late, I never forget to do something or be somewhere.  My crew can vouch for me.  I know when to say when, what to do and what not to do.  I am flexible in the fact that any situation or task asked of me, I perform without hesitation.  I don't wait to be told to do something, I see something that has to be done, I get it done.  I want to succeed in my job and that is why I am driven to perform better on each and every call, to be the best that I can be and serve the public the best I know how.

I am also educated.  I know the meaning of humility which is: (adjectival form: humble) is the quality of being humble, modest, reverential, even politely submissive, and never being arrogant, contemptuous, rude or self-abasing.

Humility is a strong characteristic to posses, especially for those in 'hero' rolls.  I usually hate that term to be associated with someone employed as a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, etc. because I personally don't care what uniform you wear, you're no better then anyone else.  Your shit still stinks.

I had a strong dose of reality this week on how some people (a fellow firefighter in this case) has no clue what this means, and truly believes that because he rides a big red truck, he considers himself a hero, he expects to be admired and praised for all his work/efforts and at some times... I truly think that he believes that he knows more than anyone.

I reached my breaking point this week and cornered this person in a hallway to let him know that there is a fine line between being confident and cocky.  We want confidence, we sure the hell do not want cockiness.  Everyone has an ego. I asked him to make sure his ego doesn't get in the way of doing the right thing for the right reason.  Because, if his stupid actions continue and he ever puts anyone of us in a position where we could be injured again, I will personally see to the end of his career.  I also reminded him that age does not determine maturity, character does so I recommended that he grow the fuck up!

There is an important difference between being proud of what you do (and this is true in any profession), and being full of yourself.

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    HoseMonkey
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Word Of The Day... COMPASSION:

Reporting From Off Scene
Incident:  Medical Assist

One just never knows what to expect when we get a call for a victim who has fallen.  So, when we arrived on scene, we found a 71 year old woman lying on the floor covered in blood.  Her house looked like a scene right out of a horror movie with blood trails throughout her small 2-bedroom bungalow home.  Towards the rear part of the house, she had fallen and hit her head on the damn door jam.  The fall, had split her forehead open almost from ear to ear.  She had crawled from where she had fallen and hit her head near the kitchen, to the phone in the living room but couldn't reach it.  She finally crawled over to the front door to try and open it to get help.  I am not exaggerating when I tell you, there was blood everywhere.

Luckily for her, a good neighbour had been to the grocery store that afternoon and picked her up some basic essentials.  It was her neighbour that found her, when she came by her house to drop off the groceries.  She called 911.  We took her vitals while we bandaged her up and placed her in a cervical collar and on a backboard, then sent her on her way to the hospital.

After our patient had been transported to the hospital, we stood there in the long narrow hallway and stared at each other, for just a few moments, as if we were trying to read each other's minds.  Together, we started to clean up.  We used towels and mopped up the floor. We went through and cleaned as much as we could, as quickly as possible.  Before leaving, we took the towels that we had used, and a rug that had been soaked in blood and put them in a garbage bag, which her neighbour took home to clean.

I'm proud that I work with a crew of men that will do the extra little stuff without me having to ask.  It was almost as if we were all thinking the same thing at the same time... "Someone has to clean up this mess!"

It was about a day later that I was questioned as to why I stayed on scene so long and did not return to the station sooner.  It didn't come as a big surprise, I knew that I would eventually have to justify remaining on scene as long as we did.  (Aaaargh!)  So, shaking my head in disbelief that I would actually be asked such a question, all I could say was that as a crew, we decided that no one should have to come home from such a traumatic event just to have to clean their house and relive it.

Really... I think that some 'high ups' have forgotten what it's like to be on scene.

Word of the day... COMPASSION:  1. A deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering.
2.  The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.

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        captain
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You Win Some... You Lose Some

Reporting From Off Scene

An inquiring mind asked me and wants to know:  What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your professional life?

I truly love knowing that I am in a position to be able to help people when they need it the most.  It may not always be in the most spectacular way... extricating a critical accident patient, pulling someone from a smoky fire, or resuscitating a victim in cardiac arrest.  Many times, it's being there when someones world has suddenly turned upside down, and they need a calming voice to reassure them that, despite the current situation, I (we) are there to help them.  Being able to provide a shoulder to cry on when tragedy strikes their loved one.  Showing compassion and understanding, when they themselves can't even begin to understand what is happening to them.  It is during these times that I believe the true character of a firefighter is most evident to the people we serve.

But the hardest or least enjoyable part of the job is the tragic effects of a bad situation or event that I strive to prevent or make better...  and sometimes can't.  No matter how much experience I have, no matter how much training, resources or tools of the trade I have... sometimes it's just not enough. Despite my best efforts, not being able to avert or alleviate people's suffering...

Trying to explain to the woman who couldn't awaken her husband of 40+ years, that he died in his sleep sometime during the night.

 Having to see the incredible grief in the eyes of the teen whose parent lay dead in the front seat of the car they were just riding in.

 Seeing the small child in her pajamas, clinging to the warm blanket we just wrapped her up in, as she stares at the smoldering remains of her home that burned to the ground.

All too often, I can't help but see the faces of those I love in the faces of the people we are trying to help, as I pray to God that my family and/or close friends will never be placed in that situation.  Yeah, the tragic calls stand out the most because the emotions they evoke.

Mix all of the above with the fact that I still after all these years, cannot manage to balance my professional and a personal life.  Kids and close friends... I can handle and manage somewhat, but any thing more such as a personal relationship ... NOT A CHANCE IN HELL!  :)

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        captain
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Building Character

Reporting from Off Scene

You know that you are a Probie when you plan a night out with your friends and you give them directions to meet you, and those directions include "meet me near the hydrant on the Northwest corner" and you conclude "it will be the 600 block on Saskatchewan Avenue,"

You can't help but answer "Yes Sir!" whenever someone speaks to you, even at home.

You've become very VERY good and efficient at washing and drying dishes and laundry detail as well.

When your cell phone goes off late at night to alert you that you have a text message and you instantly wake up, swing your feet over the side of your bed and you start to fumble around in the dark for your boots... only to realize that you are in your very own apartment. (Dammit all to hell!)

You've become very VERY good at making coffee for the crew - tea for Captain!

You can't help but when asked a question, you have to fight the urge to recite what particular article, section and subsection that the answer comes from in the Department Order Book.

You've become very VERY good at running to the rig, and being dressed before everyone else and your ass in the seat and buckled because when they say that they will leave without you, that's not just a threat.

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       Shadow
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I Just Had To Ask

Reporting From Off Scene
(Conversation at the fire hall)


Probie (me):  "Hey FireGeezer!  How would you describe me?"

FireGeezer: "ABCDEFGHIJK"

Probie (me): "What the heck does that mean?"

FireGeezer: "Adorable, Beautiful, Caring, Delightful, Energetic, Fun, Gracious and Helpful."

Probie (me):  "Um, what about the last three - IJK?"

::silence::

FireGeezer:  "I'm Just Kidding!"

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       Shadow
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No Breaking - Just Entering

Reporting From On Scene
Incident:  B & E

The radio chirped, "Engine XX, respond for a lock out.  The residents state that they have locked themselves out of their apartment and they have left something cooking on the stove."

When we arrived on the street we were met by the arguing couple - on who was to blame for locking them out.  The guy said that he had locked the door when they stepped out, assuming of course that his girlfriend/wife had the keys. Wrong!  She didn't.  Luckily the sliding glass doors of their second floor apartment were unlocked.

I went back to the truck and grabbed one of our ground ladders.  I went over to the balcony and threw the ladder up to it.  Captain footed the ladder while I scampered up to the balcony and threw myself onto it.  Had to cut thru the screen of the screen door which had been latched/secured from the inside and pushed the blinds aside.  We tried to move as much of the stuff in our way as we could.  We really didn't want to break anything while attempting our B & E (breaking and entering).

Once inside, we made our way to the kitchen.  Just as we thought, everything was just starting to boil over. No fire. No smoke yet. I removed all pots from the stove top and opened the front door to bid the residents farewell.

What ever it was that they had been cooking, sure looked and smelled good.  Left the scene with a growl in our stomachs.

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      Lieutenant 
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You Booze, You Cruise, You Lose!

Reporting From Off Scene

I'm dating a very lovely lady.  She's a package deal, comes with 5 hooligans (all under the age of 15 yrs.), not to be confused with halligans, although I wouldn't be disappointed if she had 5 halligans.

With the holidays upon us, there's absolutely no peace and quiet under her roof! None.  On my days off, I can be found over at her place. After a couple of days, we've managed to assemble things... broken a few things, fixed other things and we have played with a lot!

But I want to go back on shift.  I want to have 'adult conversations'. 

Of course, once I'm on shift, I miss her, and the kids - somewhat.  But then it hits me.  Some of my 'adult conversations' will be with citizens that we meet on scene and some of these adult conversations will contain phrases such as:  "You did what...??!!" or "How much did you say you had to drink??!" and I am pretty sure that I will have to ask at some point "What the hell were you thinking??!!!"

You know something, it's not that we firefighters get really pissed off when you/some people decide to use your livers as sponges and soak up way too much alcohol and end up in a tree... in your car or flipped upside down in a ditch. We don't get really depressed when your superman powers kick in and we have to use our kryptonite restraints to hold you on the stretcher.

But, you don't really want to be that guy with nothing more than a couple of bruises and a scratch on his arm standing next to the police car after we have had to shut down a highway to cut out a 17 year old girl and her 11 year old sister from the car that you ran off the road who just happened to be on their way home from a Youth Group meeting at church.  And do not yell at me while asking if I am going to help you because your scratch is bleeding.

Now that!  Will piss me off.

Drink all you want. Don't drive. Designated drivers are heroes in our eyes. Don't take the chance on wrecking someone else's life. 

Please.

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      Firegeezer
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Not Always as "Seen On TV"

Reporting From Off Scene:

If you have ever or if you would ever sit around a firehouse table and you spend any amount of time with a crew of firefighters, you could be crying one moment because we're telling you some heartbreaking story about trying to save a victim and not being able to do so.  The very next minute, you could be bent over in a laughing fit trying to catch your breath because we have another story about coming up on scene, and something extremely funny or bizarre that we witnessed.

It's true.  We are naturally good story tellers and we have many to tell you.  We realize that we have an abundance of stories, good and bad, to tell... enough stories to make many hour long TV shows from.  Firefighters can be quite the characters too, as we come from all backgrounds, genders, races and of all ages.  The entire psyche of (someone) who would go into work every day, put on their gear, and run into a building on fire is what attracts some producers and screen writers to want to make prime time TV shows about us.

Courtesy of Paul Combs

Just remember folks.  What you see on TV for the most part, is scripted.  The firefighters at your local firehouse in your neighborhood, are real men under those uniforms.

Firefighting is NOT as glamorous for these real men, as they seem to portray on TV.  They are sacrificing their quality of life at times.  As a firefighter, you're not going to make much money.  One might think that a guy that hurls himself into harm's way to save a complete stranger would get paid something a little more commensurate with the nobility of his occupation, but our reality isn't set up to work that way.  Because as a firefighter you don't need eight years of school and the brain the size of a watermelon to perform your job, you're never going to be flush with loads of cash.  You are also sacrificing much of your personal and social life.  The hours will often be long and grueling.  The firehouse that employs you is kind of your second home. At times, the only thing more dangerous than fighting a raging fire is... well... fighting fire on very little sleep.  Good luck with that!

The job of wearing a badge or a firefighters helmet can indeed be an ugly one so next time you catch yourself watching a TV show/series on firefighters/fire fighting, just remember that what you are watching does not necessarily depict the true nature and character of the firefighting service.

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    LadderJockey
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One Prescription That Really Works

Reporting From On Scene
Incident:  Medical Assist

The tones got us up just before 1 a.m. Someone needed our help, or at least they believed that they do. After donning my bunker pants I jumped into the rig, slipped into my seat and put on my headset. With not much more than a grunt I let our engineer know that all were on board and we were ready to roll. I was still trying to rub out the sleep from my eyes.

Dispatch let us know that we were just going out for a medical assist, a lift assist to be more exact. Usually not a big deal, they are quite routine.

We got to the residence and an elderly woman met us at the front door. She walked us through their beautifully kept home back towards the bathroom where her husband had taken a nasty fall. His health has been deteriorating over the last couple of months to the point where he really shouldn't be walking. He had fallen, and he didn't have the strength to get back up.

We helped the elderly man up and into the bathroom. While he went about his business, we stayed in the other room and talked with his wife. She told us that they have been living in their home for the past 45+ years and she has no desire to move into a seniors residence.  She told us all about their 3 successful kids that were now spread out between Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.  A couple of times she tried to get us to leave insisting that we didn't need to waste our time waiting for her husband, that she could see him back to bed herself.  I encouraged her to let us stay and make sure her husband could get back to his bed. She gave in.

I am glad that we stayed. The elderly man was able to use his walker and get less than halfway down the hallway before his legs gave out beneath him. We rushed to catch him, and carefully carried him to his bed. After another 10 minutes standing by his bedside, his loving aqnd doting wife explained to us that everything was as good as it could be for now.  So, I bid our farewell.

2 hours later we were just clearing a MVA (motor vehicle accident) when dispatch asked if we were able to take another call. It was at the same house we had been to for the medical assist earlier - lift assist.  Dispatch advised that the patient was unconscious. Knowing who it was and his medical problems, we were concerned that the elderly man wasn't just unconscious but dead.

Pulling up on scene, we found the ambulance had already made it there too. We walked in just in time to hear the elderly woman asking the Paramedics if they knew where we were. I popped my head around the corner and said we were right there. I explained that we had been out of position for the call and as luck has it, the ambulance made it to their residence faster than we did. Both the husband and wife were happy that we had finally arrived.

Turns out that her husband had his BP drop significantly. He was even weaker now than when we were previously out. His devoted and no doubt exhausted wife looked as if she was barely keeping it together. Clearly she was worried about where this downturn in health was headed. After making sure the patient was loaded into the back of the ambulance and in good hands, I quietly approached the worried woman.  I told her she looked like someone that needed a hug. She simply nodded her head and gave me a big hug.  While there isn't much we can do long term for her husband I hope that a simple hug and some kind words let her know she isn't alone in all this.

Sometimes, what people really need cannot be administered through medication/drugs. Compassion and understanding are available through hugs, no prescription needed... free of charge... available 24/7.  Not a quick hug, but where you hold on to a person for 3-4 minutes tightly so they can actually feel a genuine sincere embrace.

I'm sure we'll be back again.

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      Lieutenant
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