The moment I've been waiting for, the start of supression, is finally here. Our first lectures will consist of Fire Behavior and Firefighter Safety. Friday starts SCBA's, which is the breathing apparatus that we use to breath in any IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) environment. Next week will consist of SCBA practicals, and other fun stuff. Our first day in the burn building is just around the corner (May 5th).
Also, I'm sure many of you are wondering the results of my EMT-B state test that I took last Thursday. Despite all the stress that I brought on to myself (as I am apt to do), I passed both my practical stations (trauma and medical), and achieved a 95% on my written test. So what does this mean? I am now certified as an EMT-B in the Commonwealth of Virginia until 2011, when I will have to recert. This is one step out of the way, and opens the door to supression (can you tell I'm excited about suppression?).
On a more somber note, on Monday morning, a Prince William firefighter was killed in the line of duty. It is the first line of duty death in the history of that department. He was a 24 year old firefighter, only out of the fire academy about 9 months. Despite not being from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, he is a member of the firefighter family. Please keep his family in your thoughts.
R.I.P. - Kyle Robert Wilson
May 25, 1982 - April 16, 2007
Technician I
Prince William CountyDepartment of Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Swamped!!!
So EMT-B is a pretty intense course of study. But there are only a few days left. The state test is next Thursday (Apr. 12). So as for my lack of updates, it not for lack of want, it's more like lack of time. I'm not sure supression is going to be much better, but I'm going to try... As a side note, SCBA stands for Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. Kinda like SCUBA without the underwater part. Hope this clears things up for those that were wondering. Until next time...
-Karl
-Karl
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Week 4 begins...
Week 3 is done. 19 weeks to go. Week 4 is gearing up with some more EMT-B training. You gotta love trauma! I know this is the fire academy, so I'm sure some of you are wondering when I'm actually going to be fighting fires. The state test for EMT-B is on April 12. There are 3 or so days of EMT after that, then it's on to supression! (Starting with a really important piece of gear, the SCBA) Stay tuned, more to follow.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The update you've all been waiting for...
So I'm at the midpoint through week 2. I started EMT-B (Basic) training on Tuesday. We also started working out on Tuesday. But let me get you caught up to this point first...
The first day we showed up at the Massey Building in Fairfax City. We (my class) were led into a room where we had assigned spots around a U-shaped table. Throughout the morning we listened to presentations by various members, of various ranks, from the department. We were then given our gear, and changed into our uniforms for the first time. It felt good to be back in uniform again. It comes with a sense of belonging that is hard to find outside of military/paramilitary organizations, and it feels good to be back. The rest of the day was filled with shots, pictures, and a little bit of waiting...
The next day (Tuesday the 6th) was our first at the academy. It is a little overwhelming to go into a situation where everything is new, and you know that you are the low man on the totem pole. The rest of the week was pretty straight forward. It consisted of lectures on department policy, how to act, where to go, where everything is, what's expected of us and so one and so forth. It was a lot of information crammed into a little time, but I'm so glad to be there, I was soaking up every minute of it. :)
Our second week (week of March 12) started off with a half day of lecture about exercise and nutrition, with the afternoon being filled up with a practical lesson in working out. Tuesday morning was our first run and morning workout. After a few laps around the academy grounds, we circled up for some calisthenics. It was a good workout. I am looking forward to the shape I know I will be in when I get out of the academy, because it is a shape I haven't seen in a while. ;)
Tuesday was also the start of our EMT training. In addition to being a firefighter, we're all trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. It's a full college semester of classes crammed into five weeks. We had some anatomy and physiology, as well as learning the history of the Emergency Medical Service. Today was lectures about the airway. Tomorrow is CPR.
On that note, I'm going to sign off, grab some chow, and hit the books. I hope this gave you a glimpse into what is going on in my life. Check back often for more updates.
-Karl
The first day we showed up at the Massey Building in Fairfax City. We (my class) were led into a room where we had assigned spots around a U-shaped table. Throughout the morning we listened to presentations by various members, of various ranks, from the department. We were then given our gear, and changed into our uniforms for the first time. It felt good to be back in uniform again. It comes with a sense of belonging that is hard to find outside of military/paramilitary organizations, and it feels good to be back. The rest of the day was filled with shots, pictures, and a little bit of waiting...
The next day (Tuesday the 6th) was our first at the academy. It is a little overwhelming to go into a situation where everything is new, and you know that you are the low man on the totem pole. The rest of the week was pretty straight forward. It consisted of lectures on department policy, how to act, where to go, where everything is, what's expected of us and so one and so forth. It was a lot of information crammed into a little time, but I'm so glad to be there, I was soaking up every minute of it. :)
Our second week (week of March 12) started off with a half day of lecture about exercise and nutrition, with the afternoon being filled up with a practical lesson in working out. Tuesday morning was our first run and morning workout. After a few laps around the academy grounds, we circled up for some calisthenics. It was a good workout. I am looking forward to the shape I know I will be in when I get out of the academy, because it is a shape I haven't seen in a while. ;)
Tuesday was also the start of our EMT training. In addition to being a firefighter, we're all trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. It's a full college semester of classes crammed into five weeks. We had some anatomy and physiology, as well as learning the history of the Emergency Medical Service. Today was lectures about the airway. Tomorrow is CPR.
On that note, I'm going to sign off, grab some chow, and hit the books. I hope this gave you a glimpse into what is going on in my life. Check back often for more updates.
-Karl
Sunday, March 11, 2007
One week down, 21 to go!
Well, I made it through week one. Needless to say, as you can see by my lack of posting, it was extremely busy. I'll get some details up here shortly, but week two is starting in just a few hours, so I'm going to get some shut eye. If you've been here reading, I appreciate it, and will be sure to reward your patience shortly!
Monday, February 26, 2007
The Final Countdown...One Week to go!
6 days and a wake-up. That is all the time that remains for what is hopefully the beginning of a very long, fun career. It is the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Fire Station Visit
I'm officially below the 20 day mark today. Only 19 days (including weekends) left until my first day. I'm hoping to get my leave for next week, which only gives me 8 work days at my current job (excluding today). I'm not sure how I'm going to be filling the time, but I'm sure I'll be keeping myself busy.
Last night I went to visit a fire station. From going to CPAT practices, I met a woman that is going to be in my recruit class, and she is a volunteer at Station 17 out in Centreville. She invited me out to the station to walk around, have dinner, and to try to get some pre-academy studying in. It also gave me a good look into what I'm getting myself into. And I like what I see.
The last time I was in a fire station, I was babysitting the station's (Coast Guard station, not fire) small boats during Hurricane Isabel for 2 days. Not as exciting as it sounds, trust me... So anyway, I got to learn the difference between an engine and a truck, some EMT terminology, and what firefighters eat for dinner (BBQ'd pork chops, mashed potatoes, and peas). The meal was excellent and I even got some ice cream for dessert.
I felt a little bit like a kid in a dream world, but the fact is my dream is now a reality. Well, in 19 days anyway...
Last night I went to visit a fire station. From going to CPAT practices, I met a woman that is going to be in my recruit class, and she is a volunteer at Station 17 out in Centreville. She invited me out to the station to walk around, have dinner, and to try to get some pre-academy studying in. It also gave me a good look into what I'm getting myself into. And I like what I see.
The last time I was in a fire station, I was babysitting the station's (Coast Guard station, not fire) small boats during Hurricane Isabel for 2 days. Not as exciting as it sounds, trust me... So anyway, I got to learn the difference between an engine and a truck, some EMT terminology, and what firefighters eat for dinner (BBQ'd pork chops, mashed potatoes, and peas). The meal was excellent and I even got some ice cream for dessert.
I felt a little bit like a kid in a dream world, but the fact is my dream is now a reality. Well, in 19 days anyway...
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