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Firefighter Intern: Day 14 and 15
Jun. 14th, 2018 05:46 pm“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” ― Fred Rogers
We started with a quick safety meeting, then we sent to the Quincy substation to meet the cable guy (Quincy is often unmanned), and mowed the lawn while we waited for him. After a quick lunch, we had a washing party for the command vehicles and Medic 483. It's getting close to the 4th of July, and the station is already starting to wash and wax all of the apparatus for the local parade. *smile* While on a break, I found out that next term's class was canceled due to low enrollment, so I'll be taking ICS classes and getting non-traditional credit for FP 295, Major Emergency Tactics/Strategy.We also got in our new Strike Team wildland shirt and pants, and I picked up a Streamlight for my firefighter helmet. We started firefighter fitness, but we were toned out to an individual who was pretty intoxicated at CCSO request that turned into a refusal to transport. We went back to the station for a quick dinner, and then out again because we were on standby for the American Legion who were destroying damaged American flags by burning - but once we were on scene and ready, we found out that they canceled.
Just as I had fallen asleep, we got toned out for a code. We worked for 25 minutes doing everything we could, but we never got a pulse. We worked until the family found the DNR. I maintained good compressions and bagging, taking extra turns. First time I have covered up a body and waited for the Deputy Medical Examiner. We got back after midnight, but then we were woken up about 5 am for a vehicle accident, that turned out to be abandoned (probably someone who walked away after drunk driving). Two engines and a Medic unit, for nothing, but again good practice deploying and listening to the scene size-up.
After basically a nap, we hit our House Chores, after breakfast, and getting laundry done after the code. After lunch, I got to observe and help with my first diabetic emergency. An unconscious non-responsive man revived and was able to refuse transport after half a bag. (Fascinating, in kind of a weird way.) We pulled out all the Conflagration gear (a process where every available station sends a crew and apparatus in response to a big wildfire somewhere else in the state) and we went through it and got rid of a bunch of expired supplies, and replaced everything we needed to fill out two full bags of personal supplies for our fire crews.
Even though I was pretty tired from the last two days, I took the online Final for my class, FP122 Fundamentals of Fire Prevention. I earned an 82, which was enough I believe to earn me an A for the term. The Department basically requires that I don't fail any class and don't get below an overall 2.5 GPA. *smile* Good enough for the circumstances. One of the firefighters made cookies! As soon as I was done with my final, we had serious back-to-back medical calls with both calls requiring transport. I was pulled from the first call to help with the second, and ended up driving the Duty Chief's rig back to the station because the call needed two paramedics in the Medic Unit because of the nature of the call. At this point, it was almost 11 pm and I hadn't eaten yet - so I made food and fell asleep around midnight.
At 5 am, we were toned out again for a single pickup truck with four people (who might have been drinking or engaging in substances) that had crashed hard into some trees. We responded with two Engines and one Medic Unit, and helped with vehicle extrication and stabilization. We were then, as Engine 481, sent back to the Delena substation to swap out our engine for the Medic 481 there. I drove the Medic rig back to the accident, and swapped again for Engine 486 back to the main station, and made coffee for everyone. No more sleep for us! Until I get my EMT-B, I'll expect to play musical rigs - on less sleep, and drive cautiously.
We started with a quick safety meeting, then we sent to the Quincy substation to meet the cable guy (Quincy is often unmanned), and mowed the lawn while we waited for him. After a quick lunch, we had a washing party for the command vehicles and Medic 483. It's getting close to the 4th of July, and the station is already starting to wash and wax all of the apparatus for the local parade. *smile* While on a break, I found out that next term's class was canceled due to low enrollment, so I'll be taking ICS classes and getting non-traditional credit for FP 295, Major Emergency Tactics/Strategy.We also got in our new Strike Team wildland shirt and pants, and I picked up a Streamlight for my firefighter helmet. We started firefighter fitness, but we were toned out to an individual who was pretty intoxicated at CCSO request that turned into a refusal to transport. We went back to the station for a quick dinner, and then out again because we were on standby for the American Legion who were destroying damaged American flags by burning - but once we were on scene and ready, we found out that they canceled.
Just as I had fallen asleep, we got toned out for a code. We worked for 25 minutes doing everything we could, but we never got a pulse. We worked until the family found the DNR. I maintained good compressions and bagging, taking extra turns. First time I have covered up a body and waited for the Deputy Medical Examiner. We got back after midnight, but then we were woken up about 5 am for a vehicle accident, that turned out to be abandoned (probably someone who walked away after drunk driving). Two engines and a Medic unit, for nothing, but again good practice deploying and listening to the scene size-up.
After basically a nap, we hit our House Chores, after breakfast, and getting laundry done after the code. After lunch, I got to observe and help with my first diabetic emergency. An unconscious non-responsive man revived and was able to refuse transport after half a bag. (Fascinating, in kind of a weird way.) We pulled out all the Conflagration gear (a process where every available station sends a crew and apparatus in response to a big wildfire somewhere else in the state) and we went through it and got rid of a bunch of expired supplies, and replaced everything we needed to fill out two full bags of personal supplies for our fire crews.
Even though I was pretty tired from the last two days, I took the online Final for my class, FP122 Fundamentals of Fire Prevention. I earned an 82, which was enough I believe to earn me an A for the term. The Department basically requires that I don't fail any class and don't get below an overall 2.5 GPA. *smile* Good enough for the circumstances. One of the firefighters made cookies! As soon as I was done with my final, we had serious back-to-back medical calls with both calls requiring transport. I was pulled from the first call to help with the second, and ended up driving the Duty Chief's rig back to the station because the call needed two paramedics in the Medic Unit because of the nature of the call. At this point, it was almost 11 pm and I hadn't eaten yet - so I made food and fell asleep around midnight.
At 5 am, we were toned out again for a single pickup truck with four people (who might have been drinking or engaging in substances) that had crashed hard into some trees. We responded with two Engines and one Medic Unit, and helped with vehicle extrication and stabilization. We were then, as Engine 481, sent back to the Delena substation to swap out our engine for the Medic 481 there. I drove the Medic rig back to the accident, and swapped again for Engine 486 back to the main station, and made coffee for everyone. No more sleep for us! Until I get my EMT-B, I'll expect to play musical rigs - on less sleep, and drive cautiously.
