I had every hope that this would be a good gauge for how the day would go......running calls all day long!!
We got back to the station and I made pancakes for the crew. After that, we did the normal daily chores around the station. I spent some time speaking with my officer to setup some time for training and completing some of the practicals required for my Probationary Manual (aka "Rookie Book"). Things would get underway after we completed a walkthrough of a facility in order to Preplan.
Preplans allow you to visit commercial buildings in your area and create floor plans of what the facility looks like, hydrant locations, FDCs (fire dept connections), sprinkler systems installed and locations of the control room, alarm control room, etc.
At 1100, we arrived at the facility to start our walkthrough. While about 20 minutes into our preplan we receive a call...*BEEP* *BEEP* Engine respond to a VEHICLE FIRE located at ........!! We quickly dashed for the exit, leaving the Medic unit on scene to finish the preplan. We grabbed our gear and hastily got dressed in order to respond.
As we were arriving, we could see PD blocking the roadway and a whitish-yellow plume of smoke rising from the engine compartment of a mid-90s Dodge. My officer quickly briefed me on what he wanted done, "Pull the officers crosslay" (meaning he wanted me to pull the crosslay 1 3/4" attack line on the officers side, flake it out, and mask up to make a fire attack). I quickly did as he asked and got ready to attack the engine compartment, which now had flames showing. I opened the nozzle and walked forward towards the vehicle, as my officer used a Halligan tool to puncture through the hood and peel it back like a can of sardines. This gave me an opening to aim the nozzle and make a direct attack. After a few moments, we were able to knock down the fire and then move to the passenger compartment. We found flames underneath the dash, which we made quick work of...and unfortunately for the car owner...FLOODED THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR from the floorboards to the top of the door sill. The owner was shaken up, but unharmed. She stated she noticed a burning smell and some light smoke.
We had other calls, but nothing as exciting.....a patient with a possible stroke that was transported to the hospital, a car seat installation for a father-to-be (his wife is due in 3 weeks), and an apartment fire, which turned out to be nothing more than the flickering shadows created by a light and ceiling fan.
I managed to knock out a few training practicals from my Probationary Manual......hopefully next shift is as exciting!!
Here are a few pictures of the engine I am assigned to:
Here is the view going to a call.....
During the day:
At night:
At night with the work lights on:
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