The smell of smoke...

Walking into a house, even after a very small insignificant fire, the smell of smoke is overwhelming. This Friday I rode out with Consolidated Fire District 2 and got to smell the smoke after a small fire. Nothing exciting, but we thought it was going to be. A furnace filter burned up kicking some smoke out the vents, enough to fill a room with a good haze. No real smoke damage, other than the now noticeable spider webs. No one thinks about the fact that spider webs turn black after smoke passes through them, it is kind of cool almost a haunted house feel if it wasn't so bright from the sun coming in the windows.

That smell of smoke was an awesome taste of things to come. There was quite an adrenaline rush when the automatic alarm call we ran resulted in actual smoke. We had ran one automatic alarm earlier in the day and it was a leaking shower that filler the smoke alarm on the floor below with water. Not exciting at all. Pulling up to a automatic alarm and finding smoke is enough to get my heart pumping. It was quickly discovered to be a minor event that had burned itself out, but that smell of smoke still left an intoxicating aroma in the house. It wasn't a metal burning smell like most furnace fires. Since the filter is what burned it had a real house fire smell, that smell that wood and contents of a room puts off. It was a great feeling even though it wasn't the big one.

So I got to run my first house fire. It ended in a non-event, but could have been a big deal had it not burnt out or we not got there so quick. It is really interesting to see everyone turn serious and put their work faces on. No joking no unneeded talking. All communication was necessary and needed. All actions were deliberate and thought out. Sure the nerves got to the best of some and calling the fire a "regular" might have been over kill. I tell you what though, if a fire of any size happens at my house I would rather have over kill than someone slacking or putting off calling for additional help.

So in the end there was a little smoke stain on a wall, a lot of noticeable spider webs, and a few mud prints on the carpet. A door had to be breached to gain access but the firefighter that did it masterfully popped the door with his axe and didn't even damage the door or frame. Overall it was a success. Still left me wanting a little more, ok a lot more. I will take what I can get.

They also let me do blood pressure and pulse on a old lady that fell and busted her tooth and lip. That was great a great confidence booster for me with my EMT stuff. Now I have done stuff in real life that I had been nervous about doing in class. I am feeling better about this EMT stuff everyday.

One more week...

I will take just a second to say I got a 79% on my first EMT test. I felt good about it and I will take a 79% for sure.

So next week I get to ride with Consolidated Fire District #2 of North East Johnson County. Wow, you need to take a breath before attempting to say that one out loud. This is the department that my dad work for over 25 years with. Needless to say there will be a few familiar faces when I show up to the station at 0800. I will have to fight the temptation to be to relaxed or laid back with the guys since I know them already. Every time I have an interaction with a firefighter or department I have to treat it as if I am on a job interview. Right now I am making a name for myself and the network of people I spin around me now will pay off when job application time comes. That means making sure to have my pleases and thank yous ready. Along with my Mr. and Mrs.'s, Captains and Chiefs. Not that i have a problem with that, I just have a feeling I will get a lot more shit from these guys than I got in Shawnee last month.

In Shawnee the guy gave each other plenty of shit. The firefighters would give each other hard times constantly. The Med-act paramedics and the firefighters were a constant comedy routine, one upping each other with every interaction. The Battalion Chief made funny faces and talked in a silly voice every time he showed his face in the day room. They referred to their chief as Forrest Gump and only after an impression did I realize who they were talking about. It was a very "good ol' boys" feel in the station. I am sure it is that way to a certain extent everywhere. I just expected a little more discipline and respect I guess, a more "traditional" fire house experience.

I am walking into District 2 with some higher expectations. I am sure there will still be plenty of jokes, gags and hard times handed out. But I expect to hear a few, "Hey Captain," or "Excuse me Chief," being thrown around. Where I had to ask for a tour of the bay in Shawnee I am expecting a tour without asking in the district. Maybe it will be a similar experience to what I had in Shawnee too. By no means am I trying to talk badly about them or paint a negative picture. When I have my certificated in hand I would apply for a job there without a second thought given. It just will be interesting to see what, if any, difference there are from a one department to the other.

Even if everything is pretty much the same this time around, I hope one thing that does change is the amount of calls we run. Even 2 would be more exciting than one that we ran last month.