In my continued effort to educate myself on the many Emergency Services Professions I felt that a trip to my local fire station was in order. Not to mention the fact that the Firefighters had gotten quite a show from my trip to dispatch.
At the end of my night in Dispatch I had set-up a ride along with the Firefighters at Station 2. Like every part of the Public Safety network Firefighters have their very own language. I was scheduled to ride-along with 'B' Shift. Most departments run a three-shift rotation. Each shift is on for 24 hours and then off for 48 hours. It seems like a great way to work until you realize that there is the potential to work almost constantly for those 24 hours. When that is the case I don't think I could recover in 48 hours.
On each shift at my local fire department there is one Lieutenant and five Firefighters in the "house".
I arrived right after dinner so the 'L.T.' and three of the Firefighters started out by showing me around. On each shift two Firefighters who are also Paramedics run on an ambulance and the rest form an Engine Company. The first thing that I was shown was Engine 18. I explained that I had always thought fire trucks were pretty cool. After the chorus of laughter died down I asked what type of faux pas I had in fact made.
"Nothing that a lot of people don't understand." The Lieutenant began. "A truck is a piece of apparatus with an aerial ladder and an engine is an apparatus without one but that has a pump, firefighting gear and ground or extension ladders."
"Your always safe if you just say apparatus," one of the Firefighters whispered in my ear.
I smiled. Apparatus made is sound so "official" and yet kind of kinky at the same time.
Next, they began to educate me on hose. The Lieutenant explained that it's all about using the right diameter. A larger diameter is usually better for supply but that you really don't have to have a big hose to attack a fire. In the right hands a small diameter hose can work just as good if not better to put the fire out.
I smiled. "Kind of goes along with the all the sayings about size not mattering doesn't I?"
"Exactly," the Lieutenant smiled at me. "Sometimes putting the fire out fast isn't as much fun as getting into the right position and working hard to completely extinguish it."
I was already getting wet, then he started talking about pumps and pump panels. I started thinking of the ways I would like to be getting pumped. He explained about the gauges, knobs and handles and was discussing 'GPM' or 'gallons per minute' when I broke in.
"Is that why most Firefighters refer to their trucks as women?" I asked, "Because they like to pump them?"
"I'm sure it has something to do with it." He smiled and the rest of the guys snickered.
As we rounded the back of the truck I pointed to the top and a tarp that covered it.
"What's up there?" I asked.
"That," replied one of the Firefighters "is the hose bed."
"Would you like to see it?" Another asked.
"Sure, why not."
One of the Firefighters climbed up using foot and handholds that seemed invisible to me. A second followed and then reached back to help me. The Lieutenant and the other Firefighter stayed behind to help me find the hand and footholds and then followed me up.