Tuesday, April 28, 2009 |
My First Fire
Well, it finally happened. I caught my first fire. Even better, no one was hurt in it... but it was a good one. Here's the story: Saturday blaze displaces couple Friday night I had been out drinking for the first time in 1 or 2 years and, of course, it was only natural that I'd get to my first fire the day after -- not only that but one of the hottest days of the year. We responded in Tanker 4 with 2+1 (which means 2 certified firefighters and 1 extra man). Ron (the driver) and Mike shuttled water in the tanker and I went up to interior attack. Sadly, I only lasted about 20 mins initially. The house didn't really look all that bad as I walked up the driveway but when I masked up and went inside, well.... I could see the sky. I put the attic ladder up into the rafters of what was the living room and had the nozzle for a while and also was attacking fires that popped up. After being in for about 20 mins I was already getting a low air indicator and I was definately in need of water so I went out and someone from Frederick county walked by and told me to take my gear off and get cooled down. Apparently I was beat red and had a slight case of heat exhaustion. I sat the rest of the fire out and then went back in for salvage and overhaul. Despite me not performing as well as I would have liked it was exciting and a great fire to get some experience on how Warren County operates on the fireground. While I was trained really well in Loudoun County, things are done a lot differently out here in Warren. I took some pictures of the incident and you can check them out here: 04/25/09-FosterHollow Labels: fire, firefighting, house, lvfd (C)2003-2008, Bob K Mertz - Some Rights Reserved |
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 |
In honor of 2 Virginia firefighters
This past weekend Virginia lost two of their firefighters to two seperate incidents. Please keep that families of Cecilia Turnbough and Roy Smith, Jr. in your prayers. Roy, a member at McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Department, was 17 years old and was killed while responding to a structure fire in his personal vehicle. Cecilia had been an EMS technician for 8 years at the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department and had recently begun training to become a firefighter and became the victim of a heart attack during a routine training exercise. Please remember all of the firefighters that gave their lives in serving their communities. There have been 99 firefighter deaths in the United States this year (2008). Labels: fire, firefighting, memorial (C)2003-2008, Bob K Mertz - Some Rights Reserved |
Sunday, October 05, 2008 |
National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day
 Just making a post in honor of all of the firefighters that gave their lives helping the people of their communities. Today is a nationwide day of rememberance. Please remember them today as well. Read More Labels: community, fire department, firefighting (C)2003-2008, Bob K Mertz - Some Rights Reserved |
Saturday, September 13, 2008 |
I think I'm dead....
If it wasn't for the fact that I am typing this blog I really might think that I was dead. Today was the first practical skills class in Fire Academy which I started on Monday. There is absolutely not possible way to explain to you the things that we went through.... Did I have fun? I think so.... but sitting here now I am wondering if I am up for this challenge. The only thing that is somewhat keeping me going is that I remember how I felt the first few times that I was in the Buzz Lightyear costume when I worked at Disney and how much I just wanted to collapse and thought I wasn't up for it...... when the next month came I was doing just fine and absolutely loving that job more than you can imagine.If you think you're strong and able to take on anything, join your local fire department and I'm pretty sure you'll be forced to think otherwise. Not to say that it's not worth it. Labels: fire academy, fire department, firefighting (C)2003-2008, Bob K Mertz - Some Rights Reserved |
(C)2008, Bob K Mertz - Some Rights Reserved
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