Big Lift University and "C" Shift Rope Rescue

It's been pretty busy here, last weekend, 3 more guys went back down to Sanford, NC for the Heavy Lift University class which was part of the Big Rig Rescue program a couple of us went down to two weeks ago. From what I hear the class was great, they came back with a lot of new knowledge and ideas that we'll be training on here shortly using what what we have on the trucks here between the truck company, USAR 1, and USAR 2 (Airshores/Res-q-Jacks). Here's a couple shots of the guys working on some of the different scenarios.

The next work day after the guys got back from class, we had a surprise tech rescue drill over at Riverside Park. The drill started out, with LynComm toning out E4 for a fall at the park. E4 responded and found the Training Capt and Battalion Chief of Training on the scene, who in turn informed them of the scenario. E4 special called the tech rescue team (St. 1) and took command until the appropriate resources made it on scene. E1, M1, USAR 2, and R1 added to the run card to fill the rescue assignment. The scenario was this, a hiker fell off a cliff onto a rock outcropping approx 50 ft. The p/t was unresponsive, and the training division advised that the option to lower the patient from where he was was not possible, so we had to construct a haul system to facilitate victim removal.

Special thanks to Capt. Turner (St. 3) for taking ALL 8 pictures. We had to hike our equipment about a quarter of a mile to the location where the victim was last seen. Unfortunately, the victim suffered a catastrophic amputation of the lower extremity (special thanks in part to the Training Captain) so from the get go the prognosis for survival was low. The drill went well, all members worked toegether well to set up a solid anchoring system from which we sent 2 members who rapelled down to assess, treat and package the patient. Off that system, a 5:1 was used to bring the patient and a rescuer up the face off the cliff. The whole drill took about an hour and a half from start to finish and we were able to get back, clean the equipment, return to service just in time for dinner.



Big Rig Rescue

This past weekend, four of us, (Mike, Steven, Van and myself) rode on down to Sanford, NC for the Big Rig Rescue Class put on by the Central Carolina Community College. Registration started on Friday at noon, and class started at 1. Friday's portion was all classroom and focused on recognizing the different loads that we may encounter and limitations of different equipment we might use. The class is similar to the VDFP Truck Technician Course, just more in-depth material and emphasis on critical thinking. Alot of the information was centered on overrides and underrides and rollovers involving big rigs (hence, the name of class) All of Saturday was spent on the training ground doing different lifting and stabilization scenarios. We were split into groups of 10, So we joined up with 4 guys from Prince William Co F&R and 2 from Richmond. Quick side note, the guys we worked with were knowledgeable and experienced and great to work with.

Here are a couple shots of our first scenario in which a sedan was underrided by a loaded tanker truck.

We finished the day doing two more scenarios, one, an overturned cement mixer on a sedan, and the last a
bus that had rear-ended a small pickup truck and run it up onto a road tractor. Unlike other classes I've taken where the instructor tells you what to do, and you just have to follow instructions, we were challenged to think for ourselves as a group and find a solution. We wrapped the night up by going to the Sagebrush Grill and Saloon and met up with the guys from PWC, Richmond and Wilmington. If Applebees and Logans had a child, well, it would be Sagebrush and thats all there is really to say about that. The next day, we did three more scenarios, all building on principles from the day previous.

All in all, this was a great class, although we don't have alot of the heavy duty stabilization equipment that the Paratech trailer had, we figured we could still do alot with a little. I highly suggest that if you get the time or money, take this class as it is offered a couple times a year. We met a lot of good guys from as far away as Prince William Co, to Vail, CO. Side note, turns out one of the guys who was there from CO was also the guy who "won" the Bachelorette a couple years ago. And in win, I mean he married the girl. Naturally, after this became known amongst a few of the VA boys, a plan was made (at the Sagebrush) with the help of members of Prince William and Wilmington to place a single rose on the desk of you know who. Now, before you go asking yourself why myself or any other career fireman would recognize a TV celebrity like this, well, I'll be honest, there isn't one, its just easier to say I wasn't the only who recognized him. Ryan Sutter, Lieutenant/Reality TV Celebrity, Vail Fire Department. Needless, he was a good sport about the rose.

Thats all I got, also many thanks to Brittany, our beautiful waitress at the Sanford Ruby Tuesday for putting up with 15 fireman at one table during dinner rush. We were well fed, and never went thirsty. I'll be putting some pics up tonight covering a little of the snowstorm last night.

Curry

Cold, busy, bring it on

Yeah, were still here. Yesterday, with the truck company down for the count, the Big Show braced for a busy day in the Hill City's Downtown. With both of the Captains riding up front, Neil and I handled backstep responsibilities. We got off to a good start, running a sheared sprinkler in the Genworth parking deck. With the truck OOS, Rescue 1 was added to the run and assisted with shutting off the riser. All I gotta say about that is thank goodness the squad gods (Ben and Miles) brought Thor (Travis). Apparently the smallest shutoff was just too much for us engine guys. We put work in on a few more EMS runs, downtown MVC and fire alarm bringing the days total to 6. The medic unit, however, ran all day, saw them briefly for a dinner break then they were back to it. On a side note, I lost about half of my eyelashes and forearm arm hair lighting the grill. This week is going to be busy, we've got ITLS next work day, then on Friday, 4 of us (Van, Pebble, Mike and myself) will be headed to Sanford, NC for a Big Rig Rescue Class held at the Coastal Carolina Comm. College. I'll be sure to take a few and put 'em up.

Pride and Ownership

This weekend Lynchburg's Local 1146 in conjuction with the Lynchburg Fire Department hosted retired Chief Rick Lasky's Pride and Ownership seminar held at CVCC. What an incredible presentation by Chief Lasky! If you haven't read his book (you should) the seminar basically covered what he writes about in his book, "Pride and Ownership". The guys from Station 1-C made a good showing on Friday, and I gotta say, if you get an opportunity to hear him speak, either at FDIC or anywhere else...GO TO IT! If you have ever lost sight of why you are in the fire service, no doubt hearing his guy will amp you up! The room was packed with foks from all over VA and a few from W.VA, and NC. This was a great time to see old friends and make new ones and hear about how and why WE ARE in the best profession in the world.

In other news, I've been on a stretch of riding the medic unit due to vacations and go-aways, so theres not too much to report on the station front. We've got a couple weeks of Tech Rescue Training ahead of us, going away to some special classes and doing some in-station stuff, so I'll be sure to post all of that as it comes.

Cya next time!

C-Shift catches late morning job

It seems that the rest of the shifts are handing over the reigns of firefighting to C-shift, which in my opinion, is probably the best thing (no offense). Battalion 1 C-shifters were punched out for a working for a fire in a multiple occupany. The run card looked something like this: E2, E1, E6, R1, T1 (reserve)(we'll discuss the joy of riding in this beast shortly), M6, B1, B2, EMS-2, and Safety 1. E2 arrived first with a report of nothing showing on arrival. Shortly after, they noticed brown and black smoke issuing from the 2nd floor hallway. During investigation, they forced a 2nd floor door and found a unit well off. E2 and E6 put a knock on the fire while E1 provided RIT. T1 and R1 searched all units and ventilated. Extensive overhaul was performed and units were able to clear. Thanks to the Admin staff below St. 1 for turning off our oven and saving 4.5 lbs of bacon, which was later able to be used for delicious BLT's. This may or may not have been my responsibility...

As I mentioned earlier, T1 is out for yearly PM getting some work done and we're currently using T3 which is a reserve Simon- Duplex LTI. Judging by how fast she went to that fire I would guestimate she was made sometime in and around the early 1920's, which would explain why the speedometer never passed 25mph. Then again, this is the "Hill City". All in all, it gets the job done. In other news, St. 1-C would like to welcome Charlie Shealy and Jeremy Pillow to the roster. Shealy is probably the saltiest firefighter I have ever met, and Pillow is probably the most hyper (highly intelligent as well). All kidding aside, both of these guys bring a high level of expertise that will be well utilized here downtown.

If you don't know, Lynchburg just started EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatching) and I will say (not bragging) but I did run the first call under the new dispatching while covering for a guy on M7. Hopefully, this new dispatching will prioritize medical calls better and deliver the appropriate responses. T1 finished the night with an elevator entrapment at a local nursing home and vehicle entrapment in 3's territory.

C-Shift Catches Afternoon Job

Battalion 1 and 2 C-shift members caught a working fire late this afternoon off Lakeside Dr. The run card punched out E3, E6, E1, T1, R1, BC1, BC2, and M6 for a structure fire in an apartment complex. EMS-2 and M3 added themselves and responded with the initial assignment. E2 ended up being added due to the size and involvement of the complex. M6 arrived first and confirmed that it would be a working fire with flames and smoke coming out of an exterior basement apartment window. Because E3 was clearing from a medical, they arrived as first suppression unit and put good fast knock on the fire and kept it contained to room of origin. Also the fire really didn't a stand a chance with Capt. K. Turner and T. Guthrie on the line...Gods among men.



We (T1) cleared from that and went on to a CO call in Rivermont then headed home to a delicious dinner of Country style BBQ Ribs, mixed greens, and Pebble's mac 'n' cheese. As it stands now, the Eng. Co sits on 5 runs, and the Truck Co. on 4. I lost track of the Medic, b/c we haven't seen them but one time today...roll call. Kitchen is cleaned, beds made, Top Gun is on, enough said. Until next time...

A "C" Shift Christmas...at the Big House

 Merry Christmas from C-shift! Now I realize that it is, A- not Christmas anymore and B- its been a little over a month since the last post...Not to say nothing interesting has happened in that time frame, (although it has been extremely dry on C-shift) no one seems to take pictures, aka B-shift who literally is running workers every shift. Christmas Eve, B-shift put some work in Engine 2's first due off Campbell Ave. The run card looked something like this (in order of appearance): E6, E2, E1, T1, R1, BC1, BC2, EMS-2, M6, M1. Just in case anyone from the Roanoke Fire Department is reading this and confused as to what the "R" stands for it means RESCUE, aka Rescue 1. (Editors note: In typical fashion, C-shift snapped the below picture because apparently there was alot to do at that fire and the good folks on B shift were busy...oh ok)

It seems that certain unnamed shifts are adding a collection of personal halligans to Truck 1 in various shapes and sizes. Due to it being Christmas and the C-shift not wanting to be left out of the personal halligan bandwagon, our good Captain bought his men personalized mini-halligans that we could take with us everywhere. Measuring at about 4 inches tall, these little guys will definitly be an asset if we need to force the door on a birdcage...or pop open a coffee container. Thanks Capt! We'll take the next day to customize them with welded carry straps, and wire and tape to make them more grippy.

Anyway, back to the Christmas stuff. It turned out to be a great day for the Engine and Truck Co., not so much for the Medic which just happened to be my assignment for the day. We basically ran intermittently all day, missed every meal, then ate it cold...oh well, tis the season, right? All the guys pitched in and made a helluva dinner, thick ribeyes, twice baked baked potatoes, and...salad, except the salad never made it because a certain rookie called in sick on Christmas...even though he was puking his guts out the night before at St. 7, its not like we don't have IV fluids and an unlimited supply of Zofran to handle these situations. I'm sorry, I know better to talk like a medic on a FIRE blog...my bad. Kidding aside, we made do, by not eating a vegetable and instead adding a portion of Toby's homemade cheesecake in it's place, win-win I guess.

Pebble and Neil, probably doing something important...and probably related to their job

We also took the time to place our new found custom personal halligans in the tool compartment on the Truck Co.

 

..........until next time.........