Denise Imperiale's Blog – November 2008 Archive (12)

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Last night was our last class on the topic of Hazmat confinement and containment. We had a top expert in Essex County as our speaker. The instructor had so many interesting stories about situations, especially involving children and schools, that I was thinking if there was a way he could speak in front of parents that would be awesome. As a parent, I find it frightening that kids can pick up information about explosives through the internet.

We're off from the Academy for a few… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 25, 2008 at 9:59am — 1 Comment

Free eCalendar and Planner

If you're techi like me and would like a free eCalendar and Planner, then click this link:

http://www.dtesusa.com/REMAX/DeniseBroesler/

Scroll down to Click Here, then Open, then follow the simple instructions. The calendar automatically updates each year. There are pics from Cranford, Westfield and Morristown NJ.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Denise

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 23, 2008 at 8:16pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I am writing this here because I need to blog this to help me deal with it, and you guys will understand.

The other night I started the steps, after two years of on and off drug use, depression, anxiety, and attempted suicides to send my daughter to inpatient treatment. It has been a long rode of her coming under the radar, and manipulating us, her brothers, and the doctors to seeing only one side of herself, when actually the drug side was who she has grown into. She has a mood… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 22, 2008 at 9:22am — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

We are back in the classroom now and have had a few days of Hazmat classes. Although the subject is interesting, it seems our class is itching to get backside. It was unfortunate that a few of the kids misbehaved and were removed from the class. Sort of made everyone sit up straighter and be counted. We were told we have an image to project when we are among civilians. I never even thought of that.

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 22, 2008 at 9:15am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

This was a busy weekend with fire calls. I am not allowed to speak about them but we were busy! Anyway, tonight was my second night teaching 9th grade CCD at my Church. The topic was having trust and faith...faith in God of course and trust in each other. I wanted to think of a cool thing to try since 9th graders on Sunday nights would rather be home AIMing their friends.

So I had 3 of them do a drill. A search drill sort of like we did at the Academy. Lights out, holding onto the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 16, 2008 at 9:09pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Today I quit a job that I took for a very small wage to get my foot in the door of a company I thought I wanted to work at. I got reprimanded 3x for going to a structure fire on my way back from lunch. We were only in training and other people were told they would leave early to get their kids, etc. and could make up the time.

It was a judgement call. I was like 25 feet away when the call came in. I thought to myself...go back to class or… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 15, 2008 at 12:57pm — 5 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Last night was our last live burn at the Academy. For the next month, we are in the classroom. We did four evolutions. I have to be honest and my confidence went down a bit. When you put everything together like we did in a rolling response, and you have people yelling and crowded in small doorways, well it's entirely realistic and your mistakes jump out at you.

My first evolution was engine 2 and our six person team had to bring hoseline up to the 3rd floor. My partner stayed on the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 15, 2008 at 12:38pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 10, 2008

Tonight was advancing hoseline upstairs to the second floor with a 3 person team and practicing the skills we learned last week. Since the hose was only 1-1/2 I could handle it much better and I was much much more confident. The weird thing to me though was the perception...the instructors kept saying get closer but I thought I was close. I also didn't feel the heat at all like the guy behind me and my SCBA ran out of air but I was… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 10, 2008 at 10:47pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 8, 2008

Last night was our second live burn at the Academy. I am starting to get it with teamwork. Instead of groups of three, we were put into groups of four, and our squad of twelve had to haul charged hoselines into a garage area where we were taught about rollover, with re-inforcing the ceiling S pattern, and hitting the seat of the fire.

I was really sick though last night and knew I would not be as strong as I usually am.… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 8, 2008 at 9:30am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 6, 2008

I am writing this post from my kitchen laptop with sore shoulders right now. Yesterday was a two-fold day for me. It was my one year anniversary at my firehouse in Morris Township, NJ. It was also the day of my first live burn.

Since I did a vehicle burn on Monday I was anticipating a bigger fire, more instructions, and a tougher situation. I know you can't really compare a vehicle fire to a burn in a building, but when… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 6, 2008 at 8:00am — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Here it is, November 3, and we are already more than half-way done with our class. Now the stuff starts to get amazing. Amazing because things are starting to come together.

We had a vehicle fire tonight. You know it looks so easy when you see it on TV, but holding the hose line, and prying open the hood with the irons, that is HARD!!! We all got a turn being on the nozzle, second person, prying open the hood person, then being the backup crew when another crew took the… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 3, 2008 at 10:55pm — 4 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...November 1, 2008

Today I had a super instructor who actually works at a major company in Morris Township. He taught us so many things about fire extinguishers. Some of the things that stuck in my mind were:

-If you look at the fire extinguisher, note the amount of feet it says to stay away from the fire. Some are 6 feet, 12 feet, etc.

-Start at the root of the fire meaning the bottom. Don't just start spraying… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on November 1, 2008 at 3:38pm — 1 Comment