Clayton Crest

Walked in Easter Sunday morning to find that I'd be driving Truck 14 for the day.  I was pleased, as I hoped for the Chief to put me behind the wheel.  Just didn't think it would be the truck.  Tones came in early afternoon for us.  Structure fire on 23rd and Clayton Crest.  Sweet deal!

As we turned onto 27th, we could see the cloud of smoke off the horizon.  We were about 4 miles away.  As we got closer, we heard the first in companies report a garage fire that extended to the house and that defensive operations were going to begin.  As I pulled up, spotted my rig to use the aerial.  Outriggers out, and about to put the stick up when the Capt yelled that we're going to the roof.  Again, sweet deal.  Grabbed my mask and tools to head topside.  Company made a hole on the NE corner of the home, with light smoke coming, then another towards the center of the house.  The one that really made the difference, so we were told, was our third cut near the south end of the house.  Kory made the first cut and handed me the saw.  As I made my cut and got down near the gutter line, I felt an incredible amount of heat.  I glanced up to see flames flowing over my head.  Finished my cut and climbed back up to the peak to open up our hole.  Fun times.  Made a few other cuts to open things up before we came down. 

After some other little tasks, we were picked up.  I was feeling pretty good now.  I mean, what a great day so far.  I walked into work to find out that I'd be driving.  Cooked an impressive Easter Brunch, and then got my first actually roof.  And it wasn't even 3pm yet.

Byrge

Who's Driving 31s?

Work has been fun lately.  Two of the past three work days I've been driving.  First, last week Monday at 31's, my alma mater, then this past Easter Sunday on Truck 14.  Both days were great.  Took a total of five runs while at 8th and Hayes.  Was good to be back at that house.  I really miss certain things about it.  The runs were typical for the area.  Kind of miss going out on those.  Was good to see some of the old crew as well.  In the evening, I did enjoy watching Kentucky beat Kansas for me to win a little $$.  Hoping to get behind a wheel again here soon.  HEO test a month away.

Byrge

FOOLS Training

Rainbow Springs, Rainbow Farms, whatever the hell it's now called doesn't really matter.  As a former hotel just past Mukwonago, it's destiny was to be torn down very soon.  As a member of the Brew City Fools, I was just excited that I would be one of many able to help with demolition.  On March 31st, I took the JK out there for a fun filled day of training.  From vertical and flat roof operations, obstacle course, ladder evolutions, some RIT operations among a few other things.  Was quite the day.

Snapshot of me falling through a trap door during the obstacle course, which was probably the most difficult course I've ever done

Photo Op!!  Impressive turnout for the training

  

Now that I'm on a truck, I was pleased that February's training was on ventilation.  Dave from Ladder 9 had a quite a bit of information about roof operations, wind driven fires and VES.  At first, I didn't even know what VES was.  Vent, Enter, Search. 

Was hoping to head down to Indy for the FDIC next week, but certain circumstances have me staying home this year.  With that, I'm looking forward to later in the month for FOOLS.

Byrge