The Heat is on! - Smoke Trailer Part Deux

© Dick Kramer - View his incredible artwork here!

The Heat is on!

As Fire Academy continued, the pressure and the stress began to boil down to physical exhaustion and mental fatigue. I realized that I was going to need to find ways to relieve stress, however, that is difficult with a 16-22 hour commitment on top of your regular 40 hour work week! I was missing out on my kids' school and extra curricular activities as well as time with my friends and extended family. That is very difficult since I am a very social individual.

I was also missing out on my spiritual commitment. Fire Academy nights were Tuesday, Thursday and from 8-4 on Saturday. Since I am a Seventh-day Adventist, (we go to church on Saturday, like the Jews) it was now impossible for me to worship at church even though there are 2 churches in the area. One holds a morning service and the other an afternoon service. This was very difficult for me as worship is a way for me to keep myself spiritually, emotionally, and mentally focused.

I missed concerts, plays, football games, wrestling meets, dinners, family gatherings, hanging out with friends, and so much more.

Sleep and prayer became my only sources of rest and revitalization. The company and the academy became my outlet for socialization.

Though I didn't see it at the time, this stress brought me back to where I needed to be - mentally, physically, and spiritually. It helped me focus and concentrate on what is necessary.

This focus helped me make one very quick decision that kept me from landing on my head - literally!

Smoke Trailer Part Deux

The second night we went through the smoke trailer I was settling into my role as a firefighter and a member of our company while managing the mental stress of claustrophobia in order to concentrate on the goal - finding the "victim".

This time we were split into teams of two. I was preparing my mind for the task as Wash-Out and Buffalo climbed out of the door, smoke pouring from the trailer. They had found the victim.

Our Instructor opened the door for Double-D and me and said, "Find the victim and get out. Anyway you can." I couldn't help but feel as though that was a hint to the test ahead of us.

Double-D said, "Take the lead. I'll concentrate on the path." So I took the lead and climbed into the dark.

The path was similar as it was previously but there seemed to be a couple of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. Thankfully we did not have to crawl under another obstruction either! At one point I felt an opening to my left and forward and we chose the forward path.

The pain in my knees was telling me that I had bruised and scraped them as sweat and dirt ground in. I was feeling confused and hoping that I could remember the way back. I remembered what my wife had said about acting as if I were looking for my children. I said a silent prayer for strength, courage, and situational awareness as I tried to slow my breathing.

As we scrambled down another hallway I felt an opening ahead and barreled forward shouting to Double-D, "Straight ahea---

My words were cut short as my right arm went straight through the floor. In the moment, I instinctively stretched my left arm out straight and caught my entire body weight - with the addition of 70 pounds of gear - with the back of my left arm. It was an excruciating pain that ran through my entire core as I held all of my weight and scrambled to bring myself up out of the hole. I could feel my partner pushing me forward as I yelled back to Double-D, "Stop! Stop! There's a hole in the floor!"

I pushed back with all my might and came to a crouching position at the edge of the hole.

The bruise from catching myself. (This is a mirror image.)

"Feet first, Glenn!" yelled Double-D. So I looked into the blackness around and below me and as I watched a whisp of smoke drift past my face piece I began to second guess how I had gotten here. Not a question of why I was sitting above a hole in a dark smoke-filled trailer, but how I had mustered the courage to even get into Fire Academy and put myself through this.

In the back of my mind I felt an urge to know and understand my limits. As my arm ached from the painful full-body catch and my body-heat baked my skin in the PPE I knew this was the first time I had reached one of my mental limits. Would I be stronger than this limitation? I was about to find out.

I shuffled my legs into the hole, hoping to feel for the floor and felt nothing. I slowly lowered myself into the hole, dipping below my waste and trunk, still hoping for the floor.

"Let's go Glenn!" shouted Double-D. As I dropped down into the abyss below me I hoped there even was a floor to land on. In my surprise it was right there below me. I felt a little ashamed to be so scared as I shuffled into what felt like a corner of a small room.

I looked up as I saw the lights from Double-D's HUD shining off his face. He kicked his feet into the opening as I yelled, "Watch the drop! It's not too far down here!"

He dropped right in front of me and we both began to feel around the room we were in. "Glenn we need to move forward!"

Double-D was now barreling into the dark ahead of me as I grasped his pant-leg. I began to try to remember which direction we were going so we could get back to the hole we had dropped through. I remembered almost nothing after that point. The anxiety of being responsible for remembering which way we were going overwhelmed me. I think we a took a couple of lefts and a right and I heard Double-D shout, "I've got the victim!"

Just as I breathed a sigh of relief that we had found the victim and would now be on our way out, my low air-alarm went off.

Double-D looked me in the eyes and said, "Let's go Glenn!"

I turned around and we crawled back to the hole. I stood up and felt for the opening, grabbing the edge and jumping up into the tunnel. I felt Double-D push as I jumped, effectively throwing me into the roof of the tunnel.

After I had bounced back to the floor I turned around and reached for the "victim". I tucked the doll next to me and then reached for Double-D. As he jumped I pulled him up through the hole. I had to quickly shuffle into the tunnel to make room for him. He looked at me and shouted, "Take the lead! Let's go!"

This was as far of the path we had taken that I could remember. I was now leading us out without a clue on which way to go. I was desperately flailing my arms along the walls feeling for a direction out. I came to a junction with a 45 degree turn and a 90 degree turn and could not remember which way we had come.

© Capt. Schmoe: Check out his blog here!

"Double-D I feel 2 turns!" I shouted, hoping he would tell me which way we were going. I couldn't really hear him shouting to me over the clang of my low-air alarm. In my rush to get out I made the decision to take the 45 degree turn, heading slightly back in the opposite direction. I tucked the "victim" in my arm and hustled forward into a wall. A dead end!

I felt overwhelmed as my low-air alarm began to vibrate against my face. My mind was screaming at me to run as my teeth were buzzing. I clenched my jaw hard and grasped at the walls for an exit. "There's no way out! We're at a dead-end!" I yelled to Double-D. I thought perhaps the instructors had moved the maze to test us and the memory of the instructor who opened the door to the trailer for us flew to the forefront of my mind.

I acted instinctively and threw my shoulder against the wall and felt it give. It was nothing more than a panel fitted into a track along the wall. I grabbed the edges and mightily pushed it loose from the track! I was going to get out and be free!

A bright light shone just beyond the wall I had just removed and I felt a rush of cool wind blow directly toward me. As I reached for the light I heard, "What are you doing?! Did you just blow out my wall?! Go back the way you came!" The instructor snatched the panels from my hands and slammed the door in my face.

Somehow, over my anger and shame and vibrating low-air alarm I could hear Double-D laughing. "Let's go! This way!" He laughed as he turned around.

I grabbed his pant-leg and took a right turn and there was the exit door.

As we stepped into the cool night and took off our helmets and face-pieces the instructor snatched the "victim" from my hands saying, "I can't believe you blew out my wall! I told you go back the way you came!"

As funny as it was after the training, I realized that I had failed that test. I had panicked and may not have found the exit. However, that's why firefighters work together as a team. With the help of my partner I had handled the stress again and realized that I had the strength to make it through as long as I functioned as part of my company. I could do nothing alone, but together we would get through anything we faced.

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How do you handle stress on the fireground? How do you keep your focus on the job and off the job? Do you have a story to share about smoke trailer or confined space search and rescue?

Crawl Low Under Smoke - Education, the Smoke Trailer and Claustrophobia

I now understood that I was made for the Fire Service. I was going to be a firefighter because I chose to do so and I had the support of my family and friends. I was also beginning to see what the brotherhood was all about.

After my latest failure during PPE/SCBA drill I had decided I would practice on my own. However, it was good to know that I didn't need to practice alone. My brothers in Rescue 1 had offered to help me out during their Sunday meetings. I was also working with the Ladder 11 company. I had truly begun to understand the brotherhood.

When things get tough and someone needs help you come through for each other. I began to set my own sense of selfish pride and competition aside in order to help others and in turn I learned from them.

Education

Education is a major part of the Fire Service mission. In order to protect life and preserve property we are given the opportunity to serve the community through education. These educational opportunities may be station tours, school presentations, or doing private home surveys.

In any of these situations firefighters must be prepared to utilize their public speaking skills and vast knowledge to inform the public of ways they can avoid hazardous situations.

Everyone remembers, "Stop, Drop, and Roll." However, we learned in Fire Academy that the information you present must be tailored to the audience. High Schoolers don't care about this goofy information. Adults are worried about how to prepare their families or how their aging parents can help themselves in emergency situations.

I mentioned in a previous post that a local program called Safety Town was also one of my inspirations for becoming a firefighter. The education and information my children received was so well presented and gave me a first hand look at this amazing opportunity firefighters have to serve their community.

© Holly McQueen - The Des Moines Register

From a story by the Des Moines Register: "West Des Moines Fire Department driver/operator Paul O'Connell shows children a ladder truck and tools firefighters use for their job on a field trip to the West Des Moines Fire Station 17 during Safety Town West Des Moines June 21. West Des Moines Fire Department ladder 215's crew gave a tour of Fire Station 17. The educational program, offered by West Des Moines Community Education, meets at Phenix Elementary Early Childhood Center and covers a variety of situations and teaches skills for children entering kindergarten this fall. Topics covered at Safety Town are safety awareness around strangers, water, traffic, fire, buses and poison. Children had the opportunity to learn through experiences in the Safety Town village, a field trip to the West Des Moines Fire Station and West Des Moines Police Department and classroom activities."

One fascinating fact I learned is that Kindergartners were once taught to, "Crawl Low in Smoke!" However this isn't true. You must, "Crawl Low Under Smoke!" If there is a fire and smoke begins to fill the room you must get as low as possible so that you do not breathe any smoke. The smoke will most likely kill you before the fire does.


We were about to learn this first hand in the Smoke Trailer.

Claustrophobia

Our Fire Academy had a guest crew from the State Board of Training bring a Smoke Trailer. This trailer had a moveable maze designed for confined space search and rescue. This maze was filled with smoke to simulate a live fire situation.

© Johan Hammerby | Photojournalism BLOG

Each company entered the structure to search for a victim.

Engine 12 geared up in full PPE/SCBA and entered the trailer, crawling low into the dark tunnel. The "Wash-Out" was leading the way with "Buffalo" behind him. I was crawling in third with our Officer, "Double-D," behind me. We each crawled holding onto the pant leg of the firefighter ahead of us.

We made our way down a small corridor, not much wider than 3 feet by 3 feet, as I heard Wash-Out shout, "Stairs!" We came to a small set of stairs. These 5 stairs led up to a small opening in the ceiling above us. "Hole in the ceiling!" shouted Buffalo. We each crawled up through this hole.

As I squeezed my way up into the hole in the ceiling, sweat dripping from every pore as my body heat remained trapped within my PPE, I banged my helmet against the small opening. As I squeezed through I could feel my heart pounding in my ears as the dark smoke and the walls began to close in around my body and my mind.

I swallowed my fear and continued to crawl forward down a short hallway as the adrenaline began to kick in. I heard the shouts from Wash-Out and Buffalo ahead, "Left Turn!" As I rounded the corner I looked at the Heads Up Display within my facepiece. The two green lights that signaled my SCBA's full air pressure had now turned to a single green light, meaning I was quickly pulling air from my tank. I needed to slow my breathing and concentrate on the task. I shouted the directions to Double-D as we continued to quickly crawl.

"Low Tunnel!" screamed Buffalo as we scrambled down a small angled corridor. I felt him stop and turn over onto his back. I remembered the small tunnel I had to crawl through to pass the CPAT and thought this would be a simple dip in the ceiling. I reached into the dark with my hand to feel the low tunnel. As my gloves passed over the wall in front of me I realized this low tunnel was nothing more than a 1 foot tall by 3 foot wide gap in the wall!

I began to panic as I turned over on my back, my SCBA clanging on the floor as I reached my arms straight out. I reached through the gap as I laid my head on the floor, hoping to make myself as flat as possible to pull myself through. As I pulled myself forward, I looked up through the smoke to see the dim flashing lights from Buffalo's SCBA.

I pulled my own body weight along with the 70 pounds of gear under the small opening. My shoulder crashed into the opening as I realized that I couldn't fit through the opening. I gasped and fear began to set in. I thought to myself, "How am I going to get through this? How am I going to survive? Will I have to return through this way?" I remembered what my wife had told me just two nights before, "Think about those victims as if there were your children."

I thought about my kids being trapped, desperately hoping for rescue. I took a deep breath and yelled to Buffalo, "I'm taking my pack off, I can't fit through here!" I pushed myself back to begin turning over when Buffalo grabbed my hand and screamed, "Do NOT take off your pack! Pull yourself through one arm at a time!"

I threw one arm over head and left the other at my side. This made my shoulders just slim enough to slide through the gap. A feeling of exhilaration and pride washed over my worried mind as I peered up at the green glow from behind Buffalo's facepiece. I rolled back over and got on my hands and knees, yelling under the gap for Double-D to do the same as I had.

Once we were all through the gap we proceeded into the dark. The smoke whisping past my facepiece as the HUD changed to yellow, signifying that my air was at about 2200psi or half empty. Trust me, this was not a half-full moment for me. I knew any moment that my low-air alarm would begin. I was sucking too much air and we couldn't turn back.

Just as I finished that thought the alarm went off. In addition to the alarm a warning light on the SCBA began to flash and the HUD began to vibrate on my face. My mind was screaming to stand up and run but I knew I had a job to do and I was part of a team. "No one gets left behind and everyone goes home."

We crawled right, left, around a corner and I heard Wash-Out yell, "I've got a victim!"

"Pass the victim!" shouted Buffalo. He turned and passed me the "victim." It was an infant sized doll, heavier than I thought it would be and very awkward.

The group turned and I tucked the "victim" under my left arm. Double-D screamed, "Let's GO!" as he scrambled to lead us back the way we came.

I frantically passed him the doll under the wall. With each pass of my hand and feet across the floor I hoped that I had enough air to get out. I tried to focus on my breathing and slow down each exhale. Finally I heard Double-D exclaim, "Here's the hole in the floor! Go down feet first!" This meant we were near the exit. I excitedly dropped down the stairs and continue to rush toward the light at the end of that cramped, dark, smokey tunnel.

As I jumped out of the door the reality of what I had just done slammed into me like a freight train. It was almost unbelievable and I was almost overcome with the fear I had denied the entire time. My only defense was to erupt in a guttural exclamation, "Yeeeaaah!"

We all turned to make sure everyone had made it out and congratulated each other on our rescue.

This would not be the last time I had to face fear.


Check out this informative and funny video of what it is like to crawl through a smoke trailer.

In similar fashion to the video, I later heard that "Cap'n Brown" had not conquered his fear of confined spaces. It overwhelmed him so much that he stood up and jumped out of the trailer, crawling, climbing and running over his company and leaving them behind in the trailer.

I'm trying hard not to make fun of his struggle, but it is hilarious to hear Rescue 1 recount the story as they saw him bolt out of the trailer. Ha!
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What memories do you have of fire education? What things do you want to know about fire safety? Have you had to face danger and fear and still get the job done?

Join me for the next blog post about high angle rescue!

Flashover - "Do you have what it takes?"

Construction
Many times during the Fire Academy process I asked myself, "Do you have what it takes?"

If I was going to earn my badge and the brotherhood I was going to need more than ambition. I needed strength and courage.

While I was daily considering if I could make it through academy, we began learning in class about the construction of buildings and the materials that are used. These materials constitute their fire-resistance rating. There are 5 types of construction: Type 1 (Fire Resistive), Type 2 (Non-Combustible/Limited Combustible), Type 3 (Ordinary Construction), Type 4 (Heavy Timber/Mill), and Type 5 (Wood/Stick Frame).

This fire-resistance rating determines how a building and it's construction will hold up over time during a fire. It is important to note that nothing is "Fireproof." There are some buildings and materials that are fire resistant.

I knew nothing about construction, I'm a graphic designer, I draw pictures for a living. So I found it fascinating to learn that that Gypsum (Sheet Rock) is an inorganic plaster/wallboard that has a high water content which allows it to absorb high heat as the water evaporates. This is used to reduce the impact of heat against support structures to avoid collapse/failure.

Fire Resistant Gypsum © Gustafs

Not only do firefighters have to know what type of construction and building materials they are facing in a fire, they must be able to estimate the type of contents that could be on fire. This is called the fuel load.


Fuel Load - The total quantity of combustible contents of a building, space or fire area, including interior finish and trim, expressed in heat units of the equivalent weight in wood.

Think about your house or your work environment: How much stuff around you could catch fire? That is your fuel load.

I was about to find out what my personal metaphoric fuel load was.

Combustion
We were having a breakdown in our company. It is understandable to have different personality types disagree and we were all learning each others personalities. The four of us were unique individuals with different backgrounds and approaches to solving problems or viewing solutions.

Each week we were required by the Chief to meet as a company. During the Engine 12 meetings we were studying as a group. We would read the chapter and finish our written assignments together.

The problem was that our "Wash-Out" was making excuses and not showing up for study sessions, not having assignments complete, not reading the chapters, and having a general disregard for everyone else and their time.

I was not struggling with the book, the reading, the comprehension of the material, or the assignments. I needed to practice Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) donning. We are required to don (put on) our PPE and SCBA separately within 1 minute each or combined in 1 minute and 30 seconds. I needed to practice this and tying knots.

There were several nights that my entire company were not able to meet. I understood that "Buffalo" and "Double DD" (our officer) had EMT schedules that were difficult to work around. Wash-Out worked at a grocery store and worked until 9:00 so we did our best to meet when we could.

However, one night I asked for help and only Wash-Out and I could meet. It would have to be at 9:30 because he needed time to drive to the station where we would be practicing SCBA. I showed up at the station and texted him to confirm that we were meeting. He confirmed that he was on his way. As I waited I practiced knots, finished my assignment, and prepared my gear. I waited 30 minutes and he never showed and did not return my texts or phone calls.

I was burning mad.

This video shows the PPE/SCBA evolution. Now imagine doing this with your Chief and other firefighters screaming in your face. That will prepare you for what you read next.

The next night we reported to the bay in our companies awaiting the command to don our SCBA. "Alarm!" Chief shouted as we raced to put on our gear. I was nervous and fumbling with my belt and the zipper on my coat. As I placed my helmet on my head and pulled the strap tight Chief screamed in my face, "What are you doing Glenn?!! Why are you doing this different than everyone else?!"

I needed to take my helmet off, put my facepiece on, then don my SCBA in the next 30 seconds. The problem was that my helmet strap was stuck tight and I couldn't get it loose.

"C'mon Glenn, lets GO!!" I tried desperately and instinctively took my gloves off in order to be able to work it loose.

"You can't take off your gloves in a fire! What are you doing?! You fail! You all fail! Take it down and do it again!" He shouted with exasperation.

I failed. Therefore we all failed. We had to do the drill again and it was my fault. I was beginning to worry that I was not built for this, that I didn't have what it takes to be a firefighter.

"Alarm!" was shouted and we began again. This time as I raced through the drill I donned my boots, pulled my hood on, buckled my pants, threw my coat on and zipped it, pulled back my hood and donned the facepiece, threw my SCBA on my shoulders and buckled it, put my helmet on, attached the regulator, and then pulled my gloves on clapping my hands to signal that I was done.

It was time for inspection and as our company was inspected my helmet was lifted to find that I had forgotten to put my hood back on after I put my facepiece on.

"Another failure Glenn?!" Chief yelled in my face. "Everyone, 20 pushups thanks to Glenn! After that then you get to do this all over again!"

As I did those pushups and sweat stung my eyes, I was angry with myself for causing this pain and punishment for everyone else. Though it wasn't Wash-Outs fault I could not help but be angry with him for not assisting me the night before.

Flashover
We donned our SCBA again and this time we all did it right. We walked outside to the training grounds to see a Live Fire Training Trailer. A firefighter lit a living room set on fire and we learned as we watched the entire room quickly go up in flames.

© Middletown Township Fire Training Academy

We learned that materials themselves do not burn. It is the combustible fumes that catch on fire, producing heat and breaking down the materials to release more combustible fumes. It looks like this. At 0:38 seconds you can see the term "flashover" happen near the ceiling when the smoke catches fire.

As we watched the entire trailer fill with smoke and the thermal layers begin to lower to the floor the heat in the trailer become so intense that the heat caused the smoke to begin rolling like waves. As it intensified and the heat mixed with sufficient oxygen it exploded in fire.

As I stared at the fire raging from the room I reflected on my failures.

That night, standing in my kitchen, I broke down. I really wanted to be a firefighter and I knew it was going to be hard but I didn't realize how big of a responsibility it was. My emotions rolled over me just like the smoke in the trailer. Would I be strong enough to make it through this? Would I be brave enough to face the dangers? Would I be willing to lay down my life for a fellow firefighter? Would I be willing to study and train to make sure that I never caused the pain and punishment I had inflicted on everyone else that night?

My wife talked with me about the night. She comforted me through my apprehension and supported me with whatever decision I would make. I could work harder or I could hand in my papers. I could wash out.

As the combustion of my emotions subsided I realized that I did in fact have what it takes. I would not wash out. I would study and practice my skills on my own.

I was made for this.

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How did you resolve to work toward being a firefighter or complete your personal and professional goals? Did you ever have moments of doubt or struggles that punished others? How do you face responsibility?

Nicknames, Physical Training, and Water Rescue

Nicknames
I have yet to previously name any of my fellow recruits, and I will continue to keep their anonymity safe, but I will use their nicknames. Some of these nicknames have been earned in academy and others have been assigned by me. Generally nicknames are earned in life and in Fire Academy by performing a stupid action. Some of those stupid actions may be included in my stories.

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PHYSICAL TRAINING - CROSSFIT
As we began Fire Academy it was evident that training is the key to being a good firefighter. Continuing to train will make you a great firefighter.

Our first full day of academy we had Physical Training. Our Academy participates in Crossfit. Crossfit is a training method of mixed aerobic, anaerobic, strength and core conditioning workouts. If you want to know more, check it out here.

I also found this woman's success inspiring. Read her Imperfect Life blog.

These Crossfit workouts are the most grueling 10 minutes of my week. Our trainer is a brilliant man who works hard to get our firefighters in peak condition and able to face the rigorous challenges we'll face on the fireground. He is also very aware of our individual physical condition and ensures that we are not going to hurt ourselves.

CrossFit Trainer Certification © Cylon

[Disclaimer: I'm not a medical or physical fitness professional. Don't hurt yourself and try to sue me.]

I wish I had not waited until academy began to begin training. If you are a weight lifter, you might think about starting a running program. Can you run a 5k in your sleep? You're going to need to start building some muscle and balance. Yoga and calisthenics are great. This is a cardio-strength fitness program so work on both as soon as you pass CPAT.

Get ready for more squats than you ever want to think about. Learn how to do the exercises correctly or get used to hearing, "NO REP!" right in your ear.

Our first workout was a series of sprints, bear crawls, burpees, and sit-ups. I almost threw up but I knew better than to eat breakfast.

Here are my tips for surviving CrossFit:
• Stay hydrated - Drink water like it's your job, always carry a water bottle.
• Stay rested - 8-9 hours of sleep - mandatory.
• Stretch - Before and after.
• Take your warm-up seriously otherwise you'll hurt yourself.
• Breath! Learn to breath through every exercise.
• Push yourself. Don't quit, EVER!

I noticed that the class quickly separated into those of us who really needed some conditioning, those who could keep up, and those who were champions.

One brother who I'll call "Moustache," is a Crossfit champ. This guy is in great shape and really hammers through the work-outs. Needless to say he is at the top of our class chart and he's going to stay there. In comparison I have been hanging out somewhere between 13-15, in a class of 21, depending on the day and the workout.

To be honest, I'm not in great shape. I have spent almost 20 years being slightly out of shape and then obese. I have never played sports or been active and I did not eat a healthy diet. To make things worse I lived a sedentary life and work all day at a desk. I have changed that in the last 3-4 years but I have a lot of work to go. Though my scores may seem pathetic I have earned them. I worked hard during every workout and tried my best to give every rep all I could muster.

Cheater!
Here's my gripe in this post. If you know me, you know I'll work hard at anything I do. It is my nature to do my best. These work-outs are painful, stressful, difficult, and strenuous but I never cheat. I don't want to cheat myself out of making myself a stronger, better, and faster firefighter. In fact, I'm training to save lives, including my own. So why would you cheat during a workout?!

I won't lie. There have been times where no one was looking and I could have not done a full squat or skipped a few pushups/situps. I wanted to, really I did. But even if no one else knew, I would know that I cheated myself out of making myself stronger and ready for this job.

I know it shouldn't bug me but one recruit who I'll call "Cap'n Brown," constantly cheats by missing reps and recording scores that he did not earn. Sometimes that drops me a place on our chart. It bugs me because he hasn't earned his rank, his integrity is now in question (at least with me), and despite my best efforts, I can't workout harder than he lies.

What I'm trying to say here is, "Don't cheat yourself out of training or a good reputation."

Look for more Crossfit stories to come.

Integrity
Speaking of integrity and nicknames, here is how another brother earned his nickname of "Buffalo". One night after academy he joined his family for food and drinks at Buffalo Wild Wings. He neglected to change out of his "RECRUIT" uniform and was spotted by a member of the department.

The next night before we donned our PPE, Chief yelled, "I wanna know who was at Buffalo Wild Wings in their uniform."

As we stood in formation I looked around to see who would answer for their indiscretion. I saw my brother from my company step forward.

"You will all do 20 pushups. We succeed as a team and we screw up as a team. We all pay for it... as a team," yelled the Chief.

"Buffalo" as he is now called, was responsible for counting our reps that night. As he stood and watched us all pay for his mistake, I couldn't help but be thankful for his integrity. Had he not owned up to it we would have all paid a far worse price.

It was a lesson that we are accountable for our actions and representatives of our community and our brotherhood. Though it was a painful lesson, it was a successful lesson.


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WATER RESCUE
Our fire department has a specialized search and rescue team that trains specifically in regard to water rescue. As part of our Fire Academy we spent a day familiarizing ourselves with water rescue techniques, terms, and tools.

We drove out to a lake nearby and each company took turns jumping out of the boat and being hauled back in, hauling each other into the boat, throwing floating rope bags, and familiarizing ourselves with retrieval hooks.

An interesting thing I learned that day: Life jackets save lives. Don't make excuses - always wear a life jacket in the water.

The most interesting thing that happened that day was while several companies waited for their turn on the boat, two older ladies pulled up near the dock with a canoe sticking out of the back of their van. It was an amusing sight. Most of us stood around joking about the days events or talking about our studies. What happened next really opened my eyes as and reminded me why I was in fire academy.

Two recruits took it upon themselves to offer their help to these ladies and carried their canoe to shore for them.

Although it was not a death defying rescue nor heroic, it was impressive. Their action reminded me that I am training to serve my community. It is my honor and duty to help whenever and however I may.

I vowed from that day on that I would not pass any opportunity to serve my community, now matter how small the action is.

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How did you earn your nickname? What physical training do you do? Why have you chosen to serve your community?

The Firefighter's Moustache

In celebration of Movember - the Month of the 'Stache, I bring you a comical post in honor of the hair on the upper lip of all brave firefighters.

It seems that the moustache is a swashbuckling, daring spectacle. It tends to lend an air of dignity to a man's face. After all, when you think of macho men with moustaches you probably remember Wyatt Earp, Theodore Roosevelt, Tom Selleck, Burt Reynolds, Sam Elliot, Hulk Hogan, Alex Trebek, and yes, Victor Willis - the cop from the Village People.

Although no actual scientific poll has been taken it may be safe to say that 40% of all firefighters have moustaches. I realize I have no sources on this, other than looking around the station in Fire Academy, but just trust me on this one. Of the 21 recruits I am training with 9 of us have ridiculous moustaches.

The origin and style of the firefighter's moustache seems to be shrouded in mystery and legend. Well, maybe not so much mystery and legend but simple curiosity and awestruck, if not slightly nauseous, wonder. Really fellas, what's with the moustache?

I can tell you from my experience as a fully bearded gentleman who once took pride in my facial hair it is due to OSHA regulation 1910.134(g)(1)(i), which states: "The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have: 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function."

As my Deputy Chief of Training stated, "You don't want to die breathing toxic smoke because you can't get a good seal around your beard and no one likes the smell of burnt hair." Wise words, wise words.

So, how can a man still be proud of his manly coiffure and still be within regulations? This simple chart may help all of you who want to ensure a good seal with your facepiece or at least look like a firefighter.

Image © Brandon Glenn

I sport the "Handlebar" moustache because it is a ludicrous display of lip hair and because my wife dared me to. Now you know the real reason why some firefighters choose to wear the moustache and knowing is half the battle.

Do you wear a moustache in the fire service? What are your station SOP's in regard to facial hair? Do you have unspoken rules in regard to the firefighter moustache?

Igniting the Fire!

Photo © Greg Vivash

Ignition. It is the beginning of fire. The process of initiating self-sustained combustion. It is the explosive reaction of oxygen, heat, and fuel. It was time to truly test who I am and what I am capable of. It was time to begin Fire Academy.

I had passed the most physically demanding test of my life! Now what? I knew very little about the fire service so I was looking forward to the Fire Academy Orientation.

I arrived at the station right on time and sat down with the other recruits. None of us knew what to expect. The classroom was lined with firefighters staring intently at each of us, judging us. In walked the Deputy Chief of Training.

I learned quickly during that presentation that the hardest work of being a firefighter was far ahead of me. My self-imposed "grueling" work-outs were nothing compared to the Crossfit training, station cleaning, teamwork, turn-out gear donning, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) exercises, knot tying, fire science, extrication, ventilation, hose rolling, confined spaces, fire and smoke trailers, reading, and testing.

I would almost literally need to become an encyclopedia of knowledge, skill, and strength in the next 5 months. In addition to the truly arduous tasks I would be spending 3 days a week in class and training. On my "off" nights I would be studying, practicing skills, and meeting with the rest of my company to help each other with these skills and studies.

We were warned that Firefighters are more likely to die of heart-attack or being run over during emergency rescues than by fire AND are more likely than any other profession to have their marriages end in divorce due to the time commitment. This created a great opportunity for me to talk to my whole family about what sacrifices our whole family would be making in order for me to serve my community.

I also learned that my very full beard would need to be shaved. The only facial hair a firefighter is allowed is a moustache. This is for safety purposes. A firefighter's facepiece must make an air-tight seal against his face, around his mouth and along his chin in order to properly administer air from the SCBA. That and no one likes the smell of burnt hair.

I was given my uniform and assigned a company of three other recruits. Within our company another recruit was assigned the duty of Officer. He was in charge of leading our company, assigning and delegating duties, arranging company meetings, and keeping us aware of Fire Academy information and requirements.

After I shaved my beard I put on my steel-toed boots and uniform. I was excited to study and work hard with my new brothers. However, we didn't act like a family yet. We were about to see just how dysfunctional we were as individuals and as a team.

My next post will feature some Fire Department History, stories of our physical training, and the story of our first academy "wash-out". What gets you motivated and keeps you going? Have you served in a military or para-military service? How do you keep your relationship strong despite a demanding job?

Wash-Out!

Now that we had all been assigned companies, donned our uniforms, and laced up our boots, it was time to experience Fire Academy.

Before a brief history of the fire service, we introduced ourselves to our class. I sat and listened intently to the stories of those who were sharing my fears, anxiety, and sense of awe at the task we had set ourselves toward.

Each of these men had an intriguing ambition to learn new skills, break stuff, and serve their communities. Many of them served in the military or police and EMT roles. They came from all over the country with different backgrounds and families. What we all had in common was a drive to be prepared for the worst.

I worried about whether I had the skill and knowledge to compete with these men. I worried about being the first to "wash out." 

Fire Academy is a very difficult program. You must be committed to the pursuit of knowledge, skill, and teamwork. Fire Academy will quickly separate those with simple dreams and aspirations from those with dedication and discipline. When you find out that you can't keep up with the testing, skills, and time commitment you either resign or get an escort to the door. That's called "Washing Out."

I set aside my apprehension and began studying. Our first class gave a brief history of the fire service in the United States, including the bucket brigades of 1648 to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Iriquois Theatre Fire of 1903 to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. These historic tragedies led to great innovations in public safety including panic hardware on exit doors and established means of egress (exit).

Academy quickly escalated between book studies to physical training. We were introduced to Crossfit which is a total body cardio, anaerobic, aerobic, strength training circuit of workouts. We were required to perform exercises that tested the limits of our physical abilities and were intended to strengthen us physically and mentally.

We moved on to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is our bunker gear. A firefighter's PPE is designed to withstand extreme temperatures and protect them from severe burns and trauma. Although extremely well made and protective it is not impervious to damage. This is what happens to a firefighter and his PPE in a fully involved flashover fire.

Photo © NIS

We train relentlessly to don our PPE and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in 1 minute and 30 seconds. It goes something like this.

It became apparent very quickly who was keeping up on studies and practicing their skills on their own time. Several companies had progressed quickly and were very fast donning their PPE/SCBA - yeah, yeah, settle down Rescue 1. It was evident that they were practicing as a company and working hard together.

There were others who lagged behind both on their skills in the bay and on their test scores. In our company, Engine 12, we had a recruit who struggled on every assignment. Homework assignments were turned in late and incorrect, tests were incomplete or failing, training skills were lacking a sense of urgency, attention to detail, and knowledge. We struggled as a company and met after class and off-nights.

My concern initially began as assistance for my associate. We worked hard on the assignments together as a company, reading the book to each other, quizzing each other on review questions, practicing knots and donning SCBA. Unfortunately our hard work was not transferring to the class or the tests.

Engine 12 was quickly becoming a joke in Academy. Our "Wash-Out" was causing embarrassing moments of distress during drills in which Chief would become very frustrated and yell and scream about issues he had not resolved.

This was where I was struggling to realize the so-called brotherhood of the fire department. Until this point there was nothing more than competition. I remember one late night after academy, standing in my kitchen eating a late night dinner and wondering if I had what it took to fit in with these guys. Was I strong enough to take punishment for another man's problems and still support him?

After the third time that we as a company and as an entire academy had to pay for his mistakes by doing pushups in full gear, and he had failed his latest test, my concern had changed to anger. I had finally decided to confront him.

I had enough of his slacking and let him know. I yelled at him in the parking lot, much to the dismay of others, and let him know that I wanted him out. I considered him a safety risk to anyone who might have to work with him.

With that action I had failed a very personal yet departmental test. Chain of command. My officer is in charge of company discipline and decision making, not me. I had failed to remain as a supporting member of my company and was "freelancing". Freelancing is a dangerous and selfish mindset that can get a firefighter and others killed.

I knew immediately that it was not my place to tear him down and I had to consult some friends for help and wisdom. A great friend had related some military advice that kept my temper in check - I needed to let the program wash him out. It was my job to support him just as I would want others to help and support me.

Our "Wash-Out" began to show up and make time for study and passed his next test! I was very excited and continued to encourage him. However, that didn't last long. He quickly returned to excuses, missing practices and study meetings, and continued to fail tests.

We nervously continued to work together with a strained company. The following weeks involved search and rescue techniques, smoke trailers, confined space search, hose rolling, fire hydrant hooking, and hose control as we prepared for a real house burn!

As we geared up for search and rescue techniques we had all learned as a company that Engine 12 would now go forth with only 3 members. We officially had a member who had resigned.

Unofficially he was washed out.

I was determined to prove that I would not be washed out, that I was a strong firefighter and capable of doing this job. It was after that moment that everything turned around in Fire Academy.

Next week will include stories of water rescue training, fire trailer training, smoke trailer training, and search and rescue! Look forward to exciting stories and knowledge of claustrophobia, smoke inhalation, exhaustion, and FIRE!

Do you have a similar story? How did you stay focused to make it through your trials?

Firefighters - Gender Doesn't Matter

This post is a little different than my regular posts. This one isn't about me.

WHO TV13 is running a segment entitled, "Trial by Fire." It features newscasters Erin Kiernan and Sonya Heitshusen and their experience taking the CPAT. So I thought I would pay attention to it and give you readers an opportunity to watch the segments.

The series is particularly about female firefighters. Their history, struggles, and the debate about separate testing requirements based on gender. After the links, I'll tell you what I think.

Erin and Sonya take the firefighters test

Firefighter Workout

CPAT Gender Debate


Here is my honest opinion, please feel free to debate the issue. I do NOT think that firefighters should take a different physical capabilities test based on gender. A fire does not care if you are a man or a woman. It will kill you either way. Fire hoses, SCBA, axes, halligans, pike polls, PPE, and any other tool you are going to use in the process is heavy. Regardless of your gender, if you can't lift it, pull it, or push it then you should find a different way to be involved in fire safety.

This is not to say that I think women don't make great firefighters. They do. In fact as a recruit I am nothing compared to several of the women on the department who have been doing this job and doing it well. I have a lot to learn from them. Not as a woman who fights fire, but as firefighters.

Do you agree with me? Do you think I'm wrong and women should have a different CPAT test? I encourage you to take their poll.

WHO TV13 Debate Poll

Flint and Steel

In order to start a fire you must have Oxygen, Heat, and Fuel. Friction, heat, or a spark will react with oxygen to provide ignition of your fuel source. This is known as the Fire Triangle.

I had the heat, the desire and ambition, to become a firefighter. I also had the support and love of my family, the oxygen, that I needed to start this fire. However, I was unsure if I had the strength, stamina, and mental fortitude in order to pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) in 10:20. Did I have the fuel it takes to even get into the Fire Service? Did I have the right tools to ignite this fire? The answer was, "No."

Despite being out of shape I had decided to submit my application for the West Des Moines Fire Department. My application submission was quite the task to navigate, but I had a lot of help from the City of West Des Moines Human Resources Department. Never be afraid to ask questions! I was informed that I had 4 CPAT practice tests and one final test. Now it was time to find out what this physical test required. I watched this video and realized that now I needed to train!

What is the CPAT? 8 individual exercises including: 1. Step Mill - 3:00 minutes on a stair machine at 1 step per second - 180 steps - wearing a 50 pound weighted vest with an extra 25 pounds on your shoulders. You must balance yourself the entire time without touching the hand-rail. 2. Hose Drag - Run 75 feet with 8 feet of hose draped over your shoulder, make a 90 degree turn, run 25 feet and kneel, then pull 50 feet of hose to you. 3. Equipment Carry - Remove 2 - 35 pound chainsaws from a cabinet, placing each on the ground, pick them both up and walk 75 feet around a drum and walk back to the starting point. 4. Ladder Raise and Extension - Lift a 24 foot extension ladder from the ground, rung by rung until raised against the wall. Extend the fly section of the ladder by pulling the halyard, hand over hand, then lower it back to the starting position. 5. Forcible Entry - Use a 10 pound sledge hammer and strike a target until the weight limit is breached and the buzzer sounds. 6. Search - Crawl through a 3 foot x 4 foot tunnel for 65 feet over/under/around obstacles and low ceilings making 2 90 degree turns. 7. Rescue - Pull a 165 pound mannequin 35 feet around a barrel and back to the starting point. 8. Ceiling breach and Pull - Using a Pike Pole push a 60 pound hinged door 3 times, then pull down an 80 pound weight 5 times. Repeat this 4 times. You must complete the entire test in 10:20.

<Here is my disclaimer: I am not a fitness trainer, dietitian, or physician. However, this information has helped me prepare for Fire Academy.>

Here are the key steps to preparing for this test:

1. Sleep! Your body can not function properly, repair and build muscle, or stay healthy without at least 8-9 hours of sleep. Trust me, you're going to need as much sleep as you can get.

2. Eat healthy! I eat a C.H.I.P. Vegan diet. Eating plant-based foods as grown helped me lose 57 pounds this year. It's not for everyone and it isn't easy. However, giving up meat, dairy, and sugar was the best thing I have ever done for my health.

3. Exercise! Start slow but keep going! Exercise itself can be difficult and easy to give up on if you get hurt. Start by walking, then walk further. Try Yoga. It is relaxing yet invigorating. Move at your own pace and stretch. Once you have some confidence with your body and regain some balance then challenge yourself. Try to just do 10 sit-ups, 10 push-ups, or a 1-mile jog. This is how I got my start and within 1 year I was able to pass the CPAT test - you can do it too!

In addition to rest, diet, and exercise I trained specifically for the CPAT by creating my own version! With some help from my friends and family I made my own CPAT test at a local elementary school. For the stairs I put 80 pounds of concrete blocks in a backpack and climbed the stairs. For the hose drag I bought a rope and placed a 30 pound hand weight at the end. For the equipment carry I just used 2 - 30 pound hand weights. For the Ladder Raise and Extension I just did 20 "ladder pulls". For the Forcible Entry I borrowed a sledgehammer and hit an old tire 10 times. For the search I marked out a course and crawled along the ground in the field. For the rescue I enlisted my son and pulled him across the field. This only worked once because I didn't want to hurt his knees. The rest of my practice sessions I just pulled my weights and backpack. For the ceiling breach and pull I used the sledge hammer and did 24 overhead raises. At each of these self-imposed practice sessions my family was there to cheer me on and time me.

After 3 months of training, 4 practice sessions, and a lot of sweat, it was time to strike the flint and steel and see if I had what it takes to be a firefighter. I took my final CPAT test and passed! It is a pass/fail test and a faster time is said to not have a selection benefit, however, I'm proud of my time 9:12:48!

Now that I had passed the CPAT test it was time to ignite the fire and begin FIRE ACADEMY!

Do you think you have what it takes to pass the CPAT? Have you passed the CPAT and have any tips to offer?

Fueling the Fire

Photo © Damon Wee

I had committed to the idea of becoming a firefighter, but I was 267 pounds. I couldn't fit in my clothes, I could barely climb the single flight of stairs in my house without being winded, and I was definitely not fit for the fire service. If I was going to get serious about serving my community I needed to keep my fire lit with the right fuel.

One of the first things we learned in Fire Academy were the risks to firefighters. According to the U.S. Fire Administration 47.2% of all fatal injuries to firefighters are heart attacks. Fitness plays a major part in the health and life of firefighters and must be taken seriously.

I didn't know how to start my fitness routine. I only knew I needed to exercise and eat right.  My road to fitness began when I won a spot in a radio contest. There were 8 contestants, each given 40 days of weight-loss pre-packaged food and 40 days at a Local Gym with a personal trainer consultation and body analysis. I lost about 35 pounds and won the contest. Sadly, within 6 months, I put on 45 pounds because I had not learned how to eat for myself - which is why I will never support weight loss supplements or packaged food programs. They cost too much, the foods are not good for you, and the programs do not teach you how to feed your body correctly.

One day, I simply could not button my pants. I had also received a speeding ticket with my picture featuring my large posterior that had grown so large that both sides could be seen around the seat-rest of my motorcycle. I also broke my father-in-law's guitar stool. I was done being a fat guy with no purpose.

Thankfully my church class had been raising money for a worthy cause, to help a couple take a healthy eating course called Coronary Health Improvement Program (C.H.I.P.). The couple had declined to use the program and I was asked to accept the scholarship.

I struggled with accepting the scholarship to the program until I realized that my company's Healthy Living Reimbursement Program would pay the difference - essentially making C.H.I.P. free for me. I gratefully accepted and began the road to healthy vegan living. In 12 weeks I dropped 40 pounds and went from pre-diabetic/high blood pressure to normal healthy ranges! If you want to learn how to eat properly, reverse diabetes and heart disease, lose weight and feel healthy then get into a C.H.I.P.! Ask me how!

My training program began with walking. A walk to the front door. A walk around the block. A walk to the store. Then light jogging, half a mile, a full mile. I still felt self-conscious about my weight so when running at my office gym I would wait until everyone was at lunch or had gone back to their desk so no one would see me run. I was embarrassed to run in public or for anyone to see me exercise. At that time I struggled to do 10 sit-ups or 10 push-ups. However, I was resolute with my fitness goal. I worked at it 3 days a week. 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 1 mile. Until it was easy. Then I added more push-ups, more sit-ups, and ran faster. Then I ran farther, faster, and lifted weights. I also added stretching and eventually Yoga. I will tell you Yoga is amazing. The low-impact fitness benefits and natural weight resistance training is really all you need to get yourself in shape - forget the gym membership - do Yoga at home and go far a walk around the block!

After a while I was running a 5k - 3.1 miles, doing 3 sets of 20 push-ups and sit-ups, lifting weights, and doing Yoga on the Wii Fit - and loving it!

After I literally had to have 5 inches cut from my belt I knew I was ready to submit my application for Fire Academy. In order to qualify for the Fire Academy I needed to pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test.

Next time I'll talk about what it took to get myself ready for the toughest 10 minutes and 20 seconds of my life - the CPAT!

Are you a firefighter? How do you train for the fire service?