All Blog Posts Tagged 'firefighter' (344)

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...December 16, 2008

I had my practical last night and I am waiting to hear if I passed. Everyone was so encouraging beforehand, telling me not to overthink like I have the habit of doing. I want to make a few observations and if you're a parent you will like these.

One is my son who is 11 has been extremely afraid of heights. I have a balcony in front of a window and the last time I asked him to clean the window and floor (quite a way up) he… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 16, 2008 at 2:22pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

Well, here it is, the night before my practical. I am writing this Notes from a Rookie Firefighter post after our very successful pancake breakfast at our firehouse this morning. Yesterday I spent the day with my captain practicing my knots on some tools, trying to aim my regulator in just the exact spot with my gloves on and my eyes closed. I was out in the bay for awhile and in came one of our newest rookies, who is going to the Academy in a few months. So he hung out with me for about an… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 14, 2008 at 8:59pm — 3 Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

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

Last night we had a class on Bloodborne Pathogens. The instructor gave me a bit of germophobic awareness! I didn't know that soaps that claim to be 'anti-bacterial' are just as effective for washing hands as Ivory soap. If you want to read up more on the topic, go to this link http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html.

Today I'm going to… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on December 6, 2008 at 12:14pm — No Comments

Blogging As A Tool

I’ve said it from the beginning- this blogging project is a work in progress for me, but I'm enjoying it and it's apparently pretty contagious. As far as my writing skills, however, I’m quickly learning about how to catch your interest in sound bites rather than in paragraph form, which is a big transition from technical writing. Of course, I know that to put “Buy Cialis” as a title to a firehouse blog will get people to look, even though it has… Continue

Added by Mick Mayers on December 5, 2008 at 12:30pm — 4 Comments

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

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

You are Disposable

We live in a society that has changed dramatically from what our parents and grandparents knew. They lived through the Great Depression. We didn't. They knew how to do a lot of work with a little machinery and a lot of poorly-paid or unpaid manpower. We have to do the same amount of work with a little more machinery, fewer but slightly better-paid manpower, or fewer numbers of unpaid manpower. They knew how to re-use simple items until they wore out or broke beyond repair. They returned glass… Continue

Added by Ben Waller on November 19, 2008 at 2:30am — 2 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 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

Yesterday was such an exhausting day I couldn't even type this post!

We had an SCBA drill yesterday. I was so glad the Academy got us ready by doing the search and rescue with the packs on. I didn't get to go through the maze but was able to do the rescue. All the practice makes you feel more comfortable with the equipment.

Last night we climbed the 24 foot ladder into the window then advancing dry hose lines. What I didn't know and to those of you veteran firefighters… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 21, 2008 at 9:06pm — 1 Comment

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

I would like to tell you a story about achieving something you're very scared to do.

Last night I had to climb the 35 foot ladder at the Morris County Training Academy. I had a rough day and looked at the ladder and said I just can't do it. But the instructor, CB, he was so kind. Came down and backed me up when I got to the point when I couldn't go any further. Followed me all the way to the top. I'm not afraid of heights, I wasn't afraid of falling, I was just… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 18, 2008 at 5:50pm — No Comments

Notes from a Rookie Firefighter

This has been a tough week around our firehouse. One of our most beloved firefighters, Sam, passed away last week and today is his funeral.

Sam was our dedicated secretary at our meetings, sick and all. I only grew to really know him the last six months, when I would sit with him and other retired members of our firehouse talking about life, old times they shared, and family. Sam would always lift my spirit. How couldn't he? He came in almost every afternoon, oxygen tank beside him,… Continue

Added by Denise Imperiale on October 2, 2008 at 8:41am — 1 Comment

funeral info for firefighter George J. Baranieck you will be misst by all

George J. Baraniecki, 64, of Terryville, husband of Frances (Orsini) Baraniecki died Sunday at the Bristol Hospital.

George was born April 8, 1944 in Chirnside, Scotland, son of the late Joseph A. & Emilia (Zielinski) Baraniecki. He immigrated to Canada and was raised in Weston, Ontario, Canada. He attended St. Michaels College in Toronto, and also Southern Connecticut State College where he received his B.S. in education, and received his Masters of Education degree from the… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on September 25, 2008 at 4:12pm — No Comments

firefighter John funeral info for this thurs sept 18 in burlington ont

Death Notices

Description:

De BENEDICTIS, John With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of John De Benedictis, at age 44, surrounded by his family, at home on September 14, 2008, after a valiant two and a half year battle with cancer. Loving husband of Tiziana and devoted father to Anthony and Luca. Dear son of Mariano and Laura De Benedictis and cherished son-in-law of Concetta Valeri and the late Antonio Valeri. Much loved brother and brother-in-law of Emily De… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on September 16, 2008 at 11:13am — 1 Comment

Grief Through the Eyes of a Firefighter's Child

Several weeks ago I returned home after working one of the firefighter fatalities that had occurred over the 4th of July weekend. I have needed some time to regroup and to rest after this one. Over the many years that I have been running the TX Line of Duty Death Task Force, I have adjusted many American flags that drape the caskets of the fallen, I have held the hands of countless families as they grieved the loss of their loved ones, and I… Continue

Added by Wendy Norris on September 8, 2008 at 12:00pm — 6 Comments

Toronto firefighter past away this morning following a motorcycle accident.

STEVE VAN HEMME

FIRE FIGHTER, STATION 322 A SHIFT

Passed away this morning following a motorcycle accident.

Details to follow when they are available

Toronto firefighter killed in collision

Steve Van Hemme. (Toronto Fire Services handout)

A Toronto firefighter was killed in a motorcycle collision in Peterborough this morning.

Peterborough Police were called to Parkhill… Continue

Added by Brad Duncan on August 27, 2008 at 11:30am — 1 Comment