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Mandatory Fire Class
As I have been going through the class, I realize one thing. I have been in this business for 18 years and I feel I taken the firefighter for granted. I am embarassed to say that but feel I have. The SCBA aspect of the job was very difficult for me. I did not realize I have a mild form of clostrophobia. I will admit it was very scary at first but did manage to make it through the practice practicals.
The thing I need to say about the firefighter itself. It takes a very special person to do this job. It is not for everyone and I thought it was not for me for awhile. I thought several times of just getting into my car and leaving but I did not. I refuse to let a phobia defeat me. Also, I have MANY friends in the field who refuse to let me leave or fail. The biggest thing I noticed about the firefighters in my area is that they are patient. I may have given up on me in this situation but they did not.
There is one word that describes a firefighter to me and that is " CLASS ". People who do not even know me are helping me. I am gaining confidence everyday and hope to do my department proud. The Attica Fire Department personnel are the classiest bunch of guys I have ever met. I will also say they have to be some of the most " ATE UP " personnel as well.
The comradery in this department is second to none. It does not matter if these people hate each other or are like brothers, we are all a team. We leave the station as brothers and return as brothers. So I just want to say " Thank You " to the following departments for the advice and mentoring they have given me so far while doing this class. Attica Fire, Covington Fire, Veedersburg Fire, Williamsport Fire, West Lebanon Fire and West Point Fire. You guys are the greatest!!!!
The thing I need to say about the firefighter itself. It takes a very special person to do this job. It is not for everyone and I thought it was not for me for awhile. I thought several times of just getting into my car and leaving but I did not. I refuse to let a phobia defeat me. Also, I have MANY friends in the field who refuse to let me leave or fail. The biggest thing I noticed about the firefighters in my area is that they are patient. I may have given up on me in this situation but they did not.
There is one word that describes a firefighter to me and that is " CLASS ". People who do not even know me are helping me. I am gaining confidence everyday and hope to do my department proud. The Attica Fire Department personnel are the classiest bunch of guys I have ever met. I will also say they have to be some of the most " ATE UP " personnel as well.
The comradery in this department is second to none. It does not matter if these people hate each other or are like brothers, we are all a team. We leave the station as brothers and return as brothers. So I just want to say " Thank You " to the following departments for the advice and mentoring they have given me so far while doing this class. Attica Fire, Covington Fire, Veedersburg Fire, Williamsport Fire, West Lebanon Fire and West Point Fire. You guys are the greatest!!!!
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Comment by Bradley Summers on October 26, 2008 at 8:52am
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Sam, Thank you very much for the comments and insight! It is getting a little easier all the time. A friend of mine on this department and is one of the best friends I have had in a very long has been working with me on this problem.
Part of the problem is that I have done emergency services for going on 19 years. In that time, I have a developed a sense of control on almost any situation. Whether I have been dispatching, working for either ambulance service, I have always felt like I was in control and when I first donned that complete turnout gear with the scba and mask, I lost that control. All the guys tell me it is a mindset and I will get passed it but I have to continue to practice. THANKS AGAIN SAM
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Comment by Sam on October 26, 2008 at 12:13am
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As a fellow brother I thank You and would like to say it is good that You are not giving up always remember the best time to face your fear is in a controled enviroment where there are fellow firefighters and instructors to give You the guidence needed to overcome obstacles.Remember fear is a state of mind that You have to have the courage to face and overcome so if You start to feel the need to run away or pull your mask off suck it up and remind yourself that it is a state of mind then focus on the objective and begin pushing forward heart is what it is about.There may come a time when a brother or patient is depending on You to get them out of a serious situation and heart is going to play a very big part of them surviving that is how much heart You have and show anybody can quit very few have what it takes to stick it out.Dragging or carrying a body out of a structure fire will suck the life out of You in a hurry with a combination of all the mixing elements such as the fire and all that it brings to the table your gear restricted breathing emotions getting the picture.Just remember keep your head up and be safe it will come with practice,practice,practice.Best of luck Brad.
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