No PT today. We climbed the aerial ladder today while the weather was cool in order to avoid the wasps and bees that kept coming around. The aerial ladder was raised 110 ft in the air (practically vertical) and we climbed to the top, locked in to the top rung, and leaned back. We stayed up top for 20 seconds and then descended. It was a lot of fun and the view up to was AMAZING. You could see forever....
After the aerial climb, we went through a ladder confidence/competence course on the burn pad. Using the building, we threw ladders to various windows and levels in order to make a course. We began by climbing a ladder and entering through a window, then climbing out a window onto another ladder. We then went around the side of the building and climbed a ladder onto a rooftop, walked along the ledge to another ladder that we descended. We then climbed a shorter ladder to the second floor, went up a staircase to the third floor, and then down an extension ladder to the ground floor. We went up another ladder into the second story of the burn building, and walked through the building to another window and climbed out and down a ladder that was setup. After we finished that, we climbed the aerial ladder to the top of the tower, and then ran down the tower to the bottom. In all, we used all four sides of the building, some of the tower, and some of the interior of the burn building. We did this course two times....once in full gear, and once in full gear while breathing from our SCBA.
After lunch, we went back to the pad and threw ladders all day. We threw 24' extension ladders by ourselves, and then 28' extension ladders with a partner. After we completed that (numerous throws), we advanced hoseline into the burn building.
In all, it was an EXHAUSTING day......
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Week 13: Day 2
0700 PT & Weight Room
After the weight room, we went into lecture on "Ladders." We learned all about the various parts of ladders, the types of ladders, how to carry, throw (raise) and lower ladders.
We were supposed to climb the aerial ladder, but wasps were attracted to the bright orange on the tip of the ladder. Every time it was raised, they would come out of no where and swarm around it. When we lowered it, they would disappear. We are going to do it tomorrow morning while it is still somewhat chilly out to avoid any wasps. For those of you wondering...."what does he mean, climb the aerial ladder?"....they raise the ladder on the ladder truck straight in the air. When fully raised it is 105 feet. We will climb to the top, clip in and lean back, then grab on the rung, unclip, and climb back down.
We also found out that another recruit was fired today. The one fired today was caught in the middle of being stuck with a moron for EMT practicals. The recruit that was fired on Friday was his partner. The one fired Friday screwed up on his practicals and subsequently failed, and because the one that was fired today was his partner, he also failed the practical. It was also his second time taking the practical....so it left them very few options.
We started out with 50, and now we are down to 38. There is a possibility that we will lose another soon due to a knee injury. If he does leave, he will rejoin the class starting in January.
After the weight room, we went into lecture on "Ladders." We learned all about the various parts of ladders, the types of ladders, how to carry, throw (raise) and lower ladders.
We were supposed to climb the aerial ladder, but wasps were attracted to the bright orange on the tip of the ladder. Every time it was raised, they would come out of no where and swarm around it. When we lowered it, they would disappear. We are going to do it tomorrow morning while it is still somewhat chilly out to avoid any wasps. For those of you wondering...."what does he mean, climb the aerial ladder?"....they raise the ladder on the ladder truck straight in the air. When fully raised it is 105 feet. We will climb to the top, clip in and lean back, then grab on the rung, unclip, and climb back down.
We also found out that another recruit was fired today. The one fired today was caught in the middle of being stuck with a moron for EMT practicals. The recruit that was fired on Friday was his partner. The one fired Friday screwed up on his practicals and subsequently failed, and because the one that was fired today was his partner, he also failed the practical. It was also his second time taking the practical....so it left them very few options.
We started out with 50, and now we are down to 38. There is a possibility that we will lose another soon due to a knee injury. If he does leave, he will rejoin the class starting in January.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Week 12: Days 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
Sorry for the late posts, but it has been a long and tiring week. I haven't really felt like posting....but I am sure you understand.
Day 5: Friday
0700 PT. Long run through the woods (Approximately 3.2 miles)
We then had ANOTHER quiz. Now, we haven't covered any new material since our last quizzes....but we were again lectured about who runs the Academy and who decided when we have quizzes (See Week 12: Day 2). This quiz was entitled "I think I know everything." it was basically all EMT information.
After our quiz, we had lecture on Forcible Entry. We learned about the tools and techniques, various types of doors, windows, etc. We then went out and practiced ripping out dead bolts, ripping apart door jambs, unlocking car doors with lock kits, and then we went over to an abandoned house on the Academy grounds and practiced using a set of "irons" to gain entry into locked houses and rooms.
It was A LOT of fun and I must admit that I am pretty good at getting into locked cars....or at least I was every time I tried on the Durango we had to practice on.
We also lost another recruit today. The recruit that got us in trouble on Monday with the phone call was fired. Hefailed his initial EMT certification practicals, and then failed the retest. With that.....his time with the Dept has come to an end!!
Day 4: Thursday
0700 PT. Combat Challenge
We then spent another day on the pad. This time we advanced hoselines by ourselves while flowing and not flowing. We then loaded hoseline into a hose. For every floor, you must have 50 ft of hose available to reach any room on that floor. We loaded the first floor, and then loaded the second floor....another very demanding day.
I finished the day very battered and bruised.
Day 3: Wednesday
0700 PT. Long run, approximately 3.5 miles
We then spent the day out on the pad doing practicals. We tied off equipment for hoisting, dressing drills, flaking hoselines (setting it up for deployment) and advancing charged hoselines.
Advancing hoselines is TOUGH!! We first advanced on our knees with no water flowing, then on our knees with water flowing. We then advanced while standing both not flowing and flowing.
Day 2: Tuesday
PT at 0700. We all carried the telephone poles around and did exercises with them. We also had a relay race around the academy using tractor tires.
We then spent the day lecturing on Fire Hose, Hose Streams, and Appliances . It was a long lecture with a lot of info. A recruit had the nerve to ask that we have an extra day to study as opposed to take 2 quizzes the next day.....let's just say that was the wrong thing to do!!
Day 1: Monday
We started with PT at 0700. Things weren't going so well and we had to redo a few exercises (due to the person leading) and the instructors got fed up with it. We ran 2 towers and a lap around the academy. After that, we were told to get back to the class since it was apparent we didn't want to PT. We got back to the classroom and sat there from about 7:45 until 9:00.
We then had lecture on building construction. During one of our 10 minute breaks, one of the recruits on light duty decided to call to schedule his MRI (after wasting 7 of the 10 minutes). The lieutenant came back in the room to lecture and the recruit was still on the phone. He then walked out into the hallway while on the phone. The Lt. Was obviously not happy and left the room. Two instructors then came back and asked how much extra time we took and informed us we "owed them" that much time. Just before lunch, we found out what that meant....
We went into the hallway and spent 5 minutes doing wall sits, pushup position and iron crosses. The recruit on light duty that caused it all obviously sat out and had to count out the 5 minutes...."1, I'm sorry Lieutenant; 2, I'm sorry Lieutenant"....up to 300. We found out he has difficulty counting...and he counts slow. It took nearly 20 minutes to finish our "5" minute punishment!!
After lunch, we went out and toured some building sites with homes under construction to look at build types and hazards, etc.
Day 5: Friday
0700 PT. Long run through the woods (Approximately 3.2 miles)
We then had ANOTHER quiz. Now, we haven't covered any new material since our last quizzes....but we were again lectured about who runs the Academy and who decided when we have quizzes (See Week 12: Day 2). This quiz was entitled "I think I know everything." it was basically all EMT information.
After our quiz, we had lecture on Forcible Entry. We learned about the tools and techniques, various types of doors, windows, etc. We then went out and practiced ripping out dead bolts, ripping apart door jambs, unlocking car doors with lock kits, and then we went over to an abandoned house on the Academy grounds and practiced using a set of "irons" to gain entry into locked houses and rooms.
It was A LOT of fun and I must admit that I am pretty good at getting into locked cars....or at least I was every time I tried on the Durango we had to practice on.
We also lost another recruit today. The recruit that got us in trouble on Monday with the phone call was fired. Hefailed his initial EMT certification practicals, and then failed the retest. With that.....his time with the Dept has come to an end!!
Day 4: Thursday
0700 PT. Combat Challenge
We then spent another day on the pad. This time we advanced hoselines by ourselves while flowing and not flowing. We then loaded hoseline into a hose. For every floor, you must have 50 ft of hose available to reach any room on that floor. We loaded the first floor, and then loaded the second floor....another very demanding day.
I finished the day very battered and bruised.
Day 3: Wednesday
0700 PT. Long run, approximately 3.5 miles
We then spent the day out on the pad doing practicals. We tied off equipment for hoisting, dressing drills, flaking hoselines (setting it up for deployment) and advancing charged hoselines.
Advancing hoselines is TOUGH!! We first advanced on our knees with no water flowing, then on our knees with water flowing. We then advanced while standing both not flowing and flowing.
Day 2: Tuesday
PT at 0700. We all carried the telephone poles around and did exercises with them. We also had a relay race around the academy using tractor tires.
We then spent the day lecturing on Fire Hose, Hose Streams, and Appliances . It was a long lecture with a lot of info. A recruit had the nerve to ask that we have an extra day to study as opposed to take 2 quizzes the next day.....let's just say that was the wrong thing to do!!
Day 1: Monday
We started with PT at 0700. Things weren't going so well and we had to redo a few exercises (due to the person leading) and the instructors got fed up with it. We ran 2 towers and a lap around the academy. After that, we were told to get back to the class since it was apparent we didn't want to PT. We got back to the classroom and sat there from about 7:45 until 9:00.
We then had lecture on building construction. During one of our 10 minute breaks, one of the recruits on light duty decided to call to schedule his MRI (after wasting 7 of the 10 minutes). The lieutenant came back in the room to lecture and the recruit was still on the phone. He then walked out into the hallway while on the phone. The Lt. Was obviously not happy and left the room. Two instructors then came back and asked how much extra time we took and informed us we "owed them" that much time. Just before lunch, we found out what that meant....
We went into the hallway and spent 5 minutes doing wall sits, pushup position and iron crosses. The recruit on light duty that caused it all obviously sat out and had to count out the 5 minutes...."1, I'm sorry Lieutenant; 2, I'm sorry Lieutenant"....up to 300. We found out he has difficulty counting...and he counts slow. It took nearly 20 minutes to finish our "5" minute punishment!!
After lunch, we went out and toured some building sites with homes under construction to look at build types and hazards, etc.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Week 11: Day 5
Today we learned about Fire Suppression. After lecture, we spent some time inspecting, testing, flushing, and operating hydrants; hooking up hoselines, etc.
It was a lot of fun to get some "hands on" time and it definitely beats the classroom lecture. I can tell already that this is going to make or break some people due to the physical demands....charged hoselines are HEAVY!!
The physical demands are going to increase next week when we start learning about hoselines. We will spend a LOT of time rolling and carrying hose, and repacking hose beds on the engine.
We also took a few quizzes during the week. I got a 95% and (2) 97%....1 wrong on each quiz.
WEEK 11 COMPLETE.......
It was a lot of fun to get some "hands on" time and it definitely beats the classroom lecture. I can tell already that this is going to make or break some people due to the physical demands....charged hoselines are HEAVY!!
The physical demands are going to increase next week when we start learning about hoselines. We will spend a LOT of time rolling and carrying hose, and repacking hose beds on the engine.
We also took a few quizzes during the week. I got a 95% and (2) 97%....1 wrong on each quiz.
WEEK 11 COMPLETE.......
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Week 11: Day 4
We spent the day learning about wildland fires and auto fires. After lecture, we went out with a brush truck (a 4WD truck used for brush/wildland fires) and learned about the equipment carried. We spent some time clearing out a path through the woods to stop the approach of a "fire."
Then when we were finished, we washed the truck.
Then when we were finished, we washed the truck.
Week 11: Day 3
Today was more of the same.....
We did more practice with ropes and knots, dressing drills, and SCBA.
I had my fastest time so far (and the fastest in our Battalion) for dressing drills....57 seconds.
That means I took off my station boots, put on my fire boots, pants, hood, jacket, got into the engine (with my station boots, helmet, gloves, & face piece), secured my SCBA, and belted in.
Another day down....
We did more practice with ropes and knots, dressing drills, and SCBA.
I had my fastest time so far (and the fastest in our Battalion) for dressing drills....57 seconds.
That means I took off my station boots, put on my fire boots, pants, hood, jacket, got into the engine (with my station boots, helmet, gloves, & face piece), secured my SCBA, and belted in.
Another day down....
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