Denise Imperiale's Blog – October 2009 Archive (5)

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 26, 2009

I work in Chatham, NJ, only two miles from St. Pat's Church where Father Ed Hines was murdered by the janitor of the Church. I work across the street from the Chatham FD, where Father Hines was a chaplain. The flag is half staff and the flag is outside, showing a death in the fire department.

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 26, 2009 at 12:22pm — 2 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 22, 2009

Almost every day I have an egg sandwich at this tiny diner across the street from my office. While I was walking to the diner today, the fire alarm went off in Chatham. I passed a little girl walking with her Mom and the child was holding her hands over her ears. She yelled, "Mom, what's that noise?" The mom mumbled something about the sound being the railroad, which happens to run behind the Chatham firehouse. It wasn't my place to… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 22, 2009 at 3:35pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 21, 2009

SCBA 2 Drill - Not for Rookies

Last night I finally felt like I was past Rookiedom.

We did SCBA Part 2 in the smokehouse. Last year I wasn't SCBA certified yet so I did the drill but didn't go through the mazes or hatches. I did it last night though.

For all you guys and girls that are experienced, young, and fit, stop reading because you will think I am quite lame. For those of you brave enough to… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 21, 2009 at 9:30am — 4 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 18, 2009

Today we had a great drill. My husband told me I should rename this blog, "Running to a Drill," since that's what I always seem to be doing. It was a vehicle extrication drill and taught by one of my officers. I learned things I hadn't learned at school and maybe I wasn't ready to learn at that time anyway (perhaps FF 2). For example, the direction to put the fire out if it's in the hood, and the proper way to set the scene with the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 18, 2009 at 8:10pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...October 15, 2009

It's funny...I realized the reason I have been writing on this blog less is because I write all day long for a living.

I went to see a therapist the other day to learn how to cope with mentally ill and drug addicted children I have in my life. On the initial intake, the therapist asked me what I do in my free time. My answer was hang out with the old timers at my firehouse and listen to stories.

That didn't… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 15, 2009 at 1:30pm — 4 Comments