It has always been a goal/dream of mine to be a firefighter. I have now been on the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department for about 20 months. Let me tell you that it has been an eye opening experience so far.
I have been around the fire service indirectly for the past 22 years (ironically that is how long I've been in EMS). The level of comeraderie in the fire service is remarkable! There is a definite element of "Brotherhood" that does not exist in any other profession. Thus far I have spent many days/nights in training, most to obtain my FirefighterI/and II certifications. There is a lot to this job. It is the 5th most dangerous job in the world. Back in July, I found out just how dangerous it really is.
We were called to a reported house fire at 01:20 hours. As the apparatus leaves the station, all personnel are donning their protective gear. This stuff is hot and heavy before you even get near the fire. We can see fire through the roof of the house as well pull on scene. A quick size up confirms that all occupants are safely out of the house. The officer in charge does a walk around as myself and another firefighter pulls a 2" diameter hose line off the engine. We flake out the line and stop at the door to mask up and begin breathing precious air from our SCBA.
We then make entry through the front door. There is intense heat and dark smoke. You can see about 1 foot in front of you so you rely on your sense of feel. Then there is the fire area. We begin to put water on the fire. After a few minutes, a section of the ceiling falls in on me; this is followed by a rush of flames and heat. I actually pondered for a few seconds if I was going to be able to get out of this precarious situation. My training kicked in and I swept the nozzle up over my shoulder and turned the nozzle to a wide pattern to get the flames off of me and my partner. They always say that in a crunch situation you get superhuman strength. Well that is true because my adernaline was flowing, and I then lifted the section of roof of of my and threw it to the side.
We knocked the fire down and then came out for rehab. As I removed my gear and sat in a chair, I was replaying the events in my head. It was so exciting but at the same time was pretty scary too. There isn't much time for resting; soon I was back in my gear and inside the house performing what we call overhaul and salvage. This is where we clean up the mess and try to save any items not destroyed by fire, smoke or water.
I am hooked for life!!! Take care out there and be safe in all your journeys.
I have been around the fire service indirectly for the past 22 years (ironically that is how long I've been in EMS). The level of comeraderie in the fire service is remarkable! There is a definite element of "Brotherhood" that does not exist in any other profession. Thus far I have spent many days/nights in training, most to obtain my FirefighterI/and II certifications. There is a lot to this job. It is the 5th most dangerous job in the world. Back in July, I found out just how dangerous it really is.
We were called to a reported house fire at 01:20 hours. As the apparatus leaves the station, all personnel are donning their protective gear. This stuff is hot and heavy before you even get near the fire. We can see fire through the roof of the house as well pull on scene. A quick size up confirms that all occupants are safely out of the house. The officer in charge does a walk around as myself and another firefighter pulls a 2" diameter hose line off the engine. We flake out the line and stop at the door to mask up and begin breathing precious air from our SCBA.
We then make entry through the front door. There is intense heat and dark smoke. You can see about 1 foot in front of you so you rely on your sense of feel. Then there is the fire area. We begin to put water on the fire. After a few minutes, a section of the ceiling falls in on me; this is followed by a rush of flames and heat. I actually pondered for a few seconds if I was going to be able to get out of this precarious situation. My training kicked in and I swept the nozzle up over my shoulder and turned the nozzle to a wide pattern to get the flames off of me and my partner. They always say that in a crunch situation you get superhuman strength. Well that is true because my adernaline was flowing, and I then lifted the section of roof of of my and threw it to the side.
We knocked the fire down and then came out for rehab. As I removed my gear and sat in a chair, I was replaying the events in my head. It was so exciting but at the same time was pretty scary too. There isn't much time for resting; soon I was back in my gear and inside the house performing what we call overhaul and salvage. This is where we clean up the mess and try to save any items not destroyed by fire, smoke or water.
I am hooked for life!!! Take care out there and be safe in all your journeys.
