Day 77 & 78 - Training can be fun....

Day 77: The following Friday, we moved our classroom to the gym. With permission from the Chief (our instructor for the next two weeks), we selected our seat assignment. Things were going well. Everyone had a new seat, a comfortable rolling chair, and a prepared study guide for the upcoming test....that lasted about 10 minutes. Right before test time, one of the Captains walked in with the tests, asked why we were not in assigned seats, dropped the tests on the table (a little harder than expected) and left the room. A few minutes later we were lined up in push-up position.
The test went well...another 100 for the books.

We spent the morning going over module 1 and 2. Before lunch, we got to see a chemistry experiment, using gas vapors, flames, and electricity. Very interesting....at least I thought it was.

After lunch we got our new haz-mat turnouts....Class A / Level A Suits...here is a photo...



Talk about being a kid again. Dressing up in this suit (while not the easiest task in the world) was still a good time. With help from a partner, we got into the suits (with our SCBA) and walked outside to the drill tower. There, captain had us climb a ladder, go up and down the drill tower, and then attach a pipe clamp to a metal bracket. Not easy to do with two (soon to be three) pairs of gloves on.....

Fun times, with everyone taking pictures. More pics can be found on my facebook page.

This really is a cool job. Structural Firefighting turnouts, Level A suits...you really get to bring the kid in yourself out, while still keeping a serious attitude.

Day 78: We started the day with a short quiz...no problems there. We then had a guest speaker, covering two modules....It really was Death By Power point this morning. It was tough staying awake this morning, but at least the morning didn't drag-on. I think some of the tiredness is my doing. I kind of shocked my body by not giving it its daily dose of RockStar. I may have to give in....

After a decent lunch at Station 71 (Ryan's in Hixson), we covered Module 8 (PPE). Another day of trying on suits and learning how to take care of our Level A's. We tried on some thermal suits that were all reflective and really padded. Think of it as a giant oven mitt with lenses to see out of.

We then took care of our medical screening for in the morning. A quick Sample History followed up by some baseline vital signs. I managed to take a blood pressure (manually) for the first time in 5 or so years.

Tomorrow, more fun in the Haz-Mat Level A Suits, and then back to the power points.

On a more personnel note, please pray (or keep in your thought) for my pastor's Dad...Sam May. Sam was involved in a wreck over the weekend. While driving home, he had a stroke, went off the road, dropped 30 or so feet to the ground below, and crashed into the concrete bridge. He had to be air lifted to the hospital, were he has been in IC.

Sam has what is called Locked-In Syndrome. That means that he can think, hear, and respond with blinks from his eyes....but that's it.

Tomorrow he turns 65.

Keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers....