There are a handful of people that only read my blog, mainly my step son and my father in law, who happen to be two of my favorite people in the world. A couple of months ago I was selected to take part in the City of Richardson Citizens Fire Academy. It's a 10 week course in which we learn about, and get to take part in, the fire dept. I only have 2 weeks left, and it has been an experience of a lifetime. My fire fighting genes have been in full force. This week we get to do a live burn, and then next week we graduate. After that, we are part of the Alumni Association where we can continue to help the fire dept in many ways. Here are a lot of photos of what we have been doing. During these last 8 weeks I have been allowed to do ride-outs at the different stations. It's been amazing. I have seen a lot of neat stuff, trained with the fire fighters, seen their day to day life, and even got to see a real apartment fire. Truly an amazing couple of months.
Learning how to use the hose
A few of the 25 volunteers
Our ladder truck
Getting ready for the confined space rescue
Here I have a 30 lbs SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) on
Haz Mat Suit (so much easier than a Pluto suit)
Cutting open a car
This had a roof when we started
Our whole class
FF Winner (yup, I would totally use my maiden name if I was a FF. It just sounds cooler)
Our class photo
Just before repelling down 3 stories
Trying not to look nervous about climbing the ladder truck
That's me up there. 100 ft in the air at 70 degree incline.
Pulling the hose up 3 stories
Me after running up and down 9 stories with the SCBA on. It was actually kind of easy
ET phone home
Actual apartment fire (started in the kitchen)
That's me in the vest. I was helping (but of course no photo of that)
