Becoming a Firefighter

9:06:39 AM EDT

Hi all,

Im still alive over here. Thought I would stop by my old blog and say hi to everyone. Its been awhile. I still have my new blog over at http://brimasta1.blogspot.com/ 

 

B

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8:38:37 PM EDT
All, A couple new entries over in my new blog @ http://brimasta1.blogspot.com/

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9:23:41 PM EDT
Well, I've decided to leave this journal and move it over to Blogger. I cant deal with all the technical  problems with this one. So.. I moved it all over to http://brimasta1.blogspot.com/ stop by and say hi!

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11:37:03 AM EDT

  Well, Our cruise to Key West, Cozumel and Belize for K's birthday was awesome. 5 days wasn't enough that's for sure. We cruised on Royal Carribean's Enchantment of the Seas. The ship was huge and very nice even though its one of the older ones.  We have only been on one other cruise about 10 years ago, we were on the Carnival Fascination for that one. At that time, the Fascination was the biggest ship in the fleet. Ironically, when we woke up in Key West, there she was docked right behind us. Looking incredibly small compared to the ship we were on.

Our first stop was Key West which was really nice. We did some shopping and just walked around for a bit. We didn't have very much time there before we were heading to Cozumel, Mexico. We ended up going " Snuba" diving in Cozumel which was really nice. Saw a bunch of fish, a few other various marine animals. The water was crystal clear and clean.

Ya know how when you go to Mexico, everywhere you go someone's trying to sell you something? Well there we were, about 35ft under the water, then out of nowhere this kid dives down in front of us just using a snorkel. He has a waterproof camera and signals he wants to take our picture. He tells us to move closer together, he pulls some fish food out of his pocket, and a crapload of fish go in front of the camera and he snapped the pic. The picture was promptly waiting for us after the dive. So, that was the first time we have ever been sold anything underwater. LOL. After the dive, we had some lunch on the beach, did some shopping and got sunburned. Everyone was friendly in Cozumel and there's plenty to do. 

Next stop was Belize. Eh, I didn't think Belize was that great. I started out that morning listening to the Cruise Director on the ship tell us how it would not be a good idea to go outside of certain areas on the map they gave us, that would be dangerous etc. The waters around Belize are not deep enough to allow a large cruise ship to dock. So we had to drop anchor about a 15 minute boat ride into shore. We took the tender boat into shore and checked out some shops. All the shops were incredibly small, hot etc. We did stop and talk to a police officer who was very nice and told us about a good place for lunch. We followed his suggestion and had some lunch which was good. It was just hot as hell and there wasn't really alot there we were interested in doing. We stayed onshore for about 2 hours and headed back to the ship.

  The next day and a half were spent at sea heading back to Ft. Lauderdale. There was always something to do on the ship. I spent a fair amount of time in the casino. We saw a few shows, spent some time out by the pool and of course ate.. alot. Theres food everywhere you go, between room service, constant buffets, midinght buffet's, dinner in the dining room we were always eating it seemed. But hey, food's included in the cruise price.

Day 3 and 4 on the ship were very windy. The boat was rocking like crazy both nights at sea. So much in fact, as I sit here and write this, I still feel like I am moving. Several people we met on the ship were sea sick from the boat rocking. We met a few people on the ship, there was "Drunk never wears a shirt tan guy", "I just ride the elevator up and down constantly guy", " Really cute, but always by myself chick", " I am waaaay too tan chick", " Typical Florida guy, first few buttons on my shirt open, gray chest hair hanging out, gold medal embedded in gray chest hair dude", "Punk kids everywhere on the ship couple" and "Always sitting out on the balcony next to ours and gets annoyed when we are on our balcony guy".

Anyway, great trip. Next one will be to Alaska. Till next time.

B

 

 

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5:19:18 PM EDT
Hearing Enya ( Just Kidding )

  Most of you in the area heard about the 2 alarm fire last night in Sterling that appears to have been intentionally set. I walked out the front door of my house and could see the column coming from Sterling. Sterling is over 12 miles away from Leesburg. Anyway, I went to the station and an unusual set of circumstances would having me going to the fire on Co 13's Squad 13. The fire was out for the most part when we got there and we ended up mostly standing around while the Fire Marshalls office investigated. We packed some hose and and that was about all the work we did on the fire. Above is 2 pics I took with my cam phone. Great job by the first in companies who put a quick knock on this fire.

Heres some video and articles on the fire:

Video 1

Video 2

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3:19:26 PM EDT

Heres a clip I filmed from a run we had last night to assist the medic unit with a helicopter flyout. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd35CtBWSyg    

P.S. Thats my new favorite song in the background, So I had to put it in there. :)

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4:34:29 PM EDT
Hearing 30 Seconds to Mars

Well, I installed Windows Vista on my main computer and so far I have been impressed with it. The computer runs faster and the graphics are sharper. However, there a still programs that wont run on it such as my fingerprint reader and it wont read pictures off my camera phone. Other than that I haven't really had any issues with it. Oh, it also doesn't support the sound feature if your using gotomypc for remote access. OK,  enough nerd talk.

First, I'm really excited. Kathleen and I are going on a cruise for her birthday at the end of the month. Were starting out in Ft. Lauderdale, then to Belize, then to Cozumel. I booked the the cruise the other day for her birthday, and we REALLY need a vacation. This will be our first REAL vacation in years. Even though its only 5 days, we are really looking forward to it. Got a cabin with a balcony which is awesome.  From what I read, it doesn't look like we need passports since we are leaving and returning to a US Port. At least I hope we don't need passports, cuz if we do were screwed. LOL. Then as soon as we get back, Kathleen and I start our EMS First Responder class which goes for 2 months

Been relatively busy at the FD the last few weeks, a couple small fires, nothing to exciting. I dont remember if I wrote about it or not, we had a barn fire at Oatlands a few weeks ago. Barns go up pretty quick, this one had been burning for quite some time before anyone called it in, so it was pretty much on the ground by the time we got there. I was on the Tanker and Hamiltons Tanker was there. We just doused the hotspots for an hour or 2 and headed home. In the fire service, if your on a pumper, everyone always wants the nozzle, that's the fun part, putting out the fire, but you have to have at least another guy feeding you line, and maybe someone right behind the nozzleman backing you up. Anyway, I let one of our rookies have the nozzle since there wasn't a lot of smoke or heat. So we both got a good workout pulling the line around the barn for a few hours.

 I remember when I was rookie, I hadn't even completed fire school yet and went to my first fire. The Capt and I pulled up and this place was rockin, fire blowing through the roof, cars on fire in front of the house, fire blowing out the front windows. I couldn't really do much since I hadn't completed school yet. Anyway, I went up to command and asked what I could do, he handed me a camera and said to take some pics. So I went nuts with the camera. If you look at the 3rd picture down on the link above, its looks like a dragon coming out of the top of the house towards Justin on top of the ladder. That's just about my favorite picture that CHIEF BUCHANAN has ever taken.  So, most of the fire was out, and we were in cleanup mode, back then I thought it was the coolest thing ever when the Chief let me get on the nozzle and cool down the burning embers and douse hotspots.

Its weird sometimes, no matter what age you are or life experience you have, if you haven't been a fire fighter before.. your a rookie when you join. Whatever you have done in the past doesnt matter, you havent been inside a burning building yet, so your a rookie whether you are 18 or 50.

My back is hurting today, had a call last night where we had to manuever a patient down a very narrow stairway, I think we had 6 people plus the patient on a stretcher all trying to squeeze down this narrow stairwell at the same time. So, I figure that's how I did it.

 Its only 40 degrees out today which sucks. We had a few warm days, then it was back to cold. That's twice now I have taken my ice scraper out of the car and then needed it!

Oh, most of you know my job is actually in Reston at a Network Operations Center there. Found out the other day we are moving everyone from Reston to Dulles which is sweet since that's means shorter commute for me. Of course, sucks for everyone else who lives in Manassas and that area that have to drive farther to work now. It also means I probably wont be paying the 2.40 cent toll everyday to take the Greenway into Reston. I'll brave the horrors of Route 7 and 28 since I wont be going as far.

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4:11:45 PM EDT

    I just wanted to write a quick entry about one of our neighboring Fire companies in Sterling. A group from the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company recently took a trip to Mississippi to help with some of the rebuilding efforts form Katrina. They have sent some updates from the road and it really is amazing how much damage is still evident. Check out the updates and story at www.svfd.org . Keep up the good work fellas and ladies. Were proud of ya.

 

B

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4:54:42 PM EDT

Well, I've been sick with bronchitis for the last week or so. So I have pretty much been sleeping and not doing a whole heck of alot. We had some snow on Fri night which was supposed to only stick to "Grassy Areas" and ended we ended up getting about 5 inches or so. Which is weird since it was about 70 the day before and I was in shorts, even took the ice scraper out of my car.

So, quick story. I few nights ago we ran a call for a fire alarm at a local home for troubled youth. We had a power outage in the southwest part of Leesburg, which for some reason causes fire alarms to go off. Anyway, we get on scene and the lady in charge tells her employees are smelling in gas in one of the buildings. So Andrew and I head over to the building to check it out. I found the access to the basement where the furnace and water heaters were. Now.. this is a very old building. I would say maybe early 1900's? I could be wrong, but its old. I headed down to the basement, the ceiling was so low on the stairway, I had to take my helmet off and slide down on my back with my airpack on. No lights down there, weird noises etc. Creepy to say the least.

I found the heater and water heater. No gas, they were oil powered. My meter that tells me if there's any explosive gases present was clear. Andrew found his way down the stairs and we moved further into the basement. I was looking forward, Andrew was looking to each side and I hear him stop and say " Uhhh Brian"?. I slowly turned around and he told me to look to my left, I shined my flashlight to the left, didn't see anything. I said "What"?. He said "look lower". I looked lower as my eyes adjusted I saw a bunch of snake skin that had been molted, then over in the corner were the snakes.

It became quickly apparent that Andrew was not a snake fan as when I looked up all I saw the reflective nametag on the BACK of his coat. haha. I followed quickly behind him.. and well, I'll be honest. We HAULED ASS back up the stairs. He non nonchalantly mentioned to the manager she might want to call an exterminator in the morning.

Anyway, that was the most excitement for the evening. A few other fire alarms and Auto Accidents was about it. I have some pictures I'll post on here later. I think its nap time.

Till next time,

B

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12:16:57 PM EST

We had our last training burn for Firefighter 2 class on Saturday. We did 10 different scenarios some were simple fires, others were more complicated. The last few scenarios we were told the stairs had collapsed and the only way in was throwing ladders to the 2nd and 3rd floors and bring a line in through a window off the ladder. I was physically exhausted by the last scenario, which of course was on the 3rd floor so I had to bring the line with me up the ladder... that alone was enough for my fat ass. lol. But then I had to drag the charged line, through several rooms to get to the fire. I knocked the fire and took a breather for a second. 

 Then I heard command say there was fire above me in the attic.. I started to move the line back a couple doors so I could access to the attic, but, the crew with the back up line was already making access to the attic and putting the fire out up there. Even though I complain about being tired and sore. It was another great training and I learned plenty and had the opportunity to work with firefighters I usually dont get a chance to work with. Thats always a good thing, because you never know where you might end up on a fire around here.

After class it was off to Duty Crew for the night. I think we only ran one call for the night for a tree that had blown over across the road. We gave our probie a chance to do a little work with the chainsaw and clear the road. That was pretty much it for the night.

So.. Tonight is review and then we have our test Wed night. I think the last time I took a test like this was when I took Firefighter 1, 4 years ago. Hopefully I will do fine on the test.

Its very windy in "The Burg" today, and its trash day. It seems for some reason, when its windy and its trash day, the garbage truck doesnt come until the afternoon sometime. Giving all of the neighborhoods garbage time to blow all over the place. Actually as I write this, my garbage can just flew down the street. I better go get it. Oh yay, my hit counter reset again. Woo Hoo! Till next time,

B

 

P.S. Hilton, the Ice machines broken again. Its even plugged in this time.

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