Okay, yet another posting about fire. I warned everyone that I have been out playing this week. Monday morning, I was at work when I heard Box 1-4 go out a little after 10 am. I had a feeling that my company would be going in to the city. When I heard the chief advise on the main channel that he had a heavy
column of black smoke, I started getting ready to go down to the fire hall. And for me getting ready means taking out my earrings if I am wearing dangly earrings and pulling my hair back into two
ponytails (one high and one low to keep my hair off of my face when I pull on my hood.)
I was already in my truck when the second alarm was hit out and on my way to the station when my tones were hit. I was almost 
at the station when I heard that there were possibly up to 6 people trapped. Let's just say my comment as I walked into the station with one of the guys was something to the effect that I was going to be on the wrong truck. (Add a few swear words of your choosing here.)(And an explanation for those of you who might not understand, the first truck on the scene handles search and rescue and by the time we got there, we would either be the second or third truck. And the first truck on the scene was the truck that I ride in the city.) There were 2 rescues but they were just a matter of removing people from adjoining
townhouses.
When we rolled up on scene, there were flames shooting up through the roof as evidenced by some 
of my photos. Actually one of the guys I ride with took the photos of the flames on the roof. A few of the guys are getting familiar with my camera and how to use its various features. And they will grab it and take pictures themselves since they now know why I am taking pictures and what the plans are for the pictures. Plus I am now known county wide for taking pictures on scene and that I do share the photos so almost 
everyone who takes photos shares.
My job was to make sure that command knew that I had a thermal imager camera ready as a backup for any entry crew. We didn't want to take it up on the roof and have it be 
needed by an entry team. So basically all I did was hang out with the command crew and take photos.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a discarded cigarette tossed into a flower pot next to the house on the rear deck. 
Yeah, not smart!
But in the end, everyone went home safely and played together like good little children. And the only damage was to
property which can be replaced. And
the best part of the whole fire call for me was getting a hug from one of my fellow fire fighters from my other company when he came out of the house after being up on the roof. Trust me, there are some advantages to being a female fire fighters. And I am the only active female fire fighter currently running at either house.
Look for knitting content
to resume fairly soon.
Wow! That could have been a bad one. It's great to see it in pictures.
Posted by: margene | April 20, 2006 at 01:33 PM