Another day another pain

I would love to know how you can go to sleep at night with no pain and then wake in the morning to find a sharp pain in your knee.  As I have stated before my only explanation is that some where there is a witch doctor holding a doll that looks like me and who enjoys inserting needles into the joints at random times.

So once again a bit of pain to deal with for the day.  By mid-afternoon the knee felt much better so it was time to get a workout in.

45 minutes on the stationary bike, hill climb, level 12.  Max HR 109,  Max R 22    I felt very good after the training session and made sure to hydrate a bit extra.

So how about a bit of fire fighter slang explained...

Box Alarm:  The term box alarm originated from the days when most alarms in large cities were transmitted by pull box.  Box alarms were just that, an alarm transmitted from a street box.  Modern box alarms are preplanned responses to reported structure fires.  Locally a Box Alarm would have 3 companies dispatched on a first alarm Box.

Worker or Working Fire:  "Working Fire" is a designation made by either the initial arriving company officer, or a Chief Officer.   It is likely that all units on the initial dispatch will be going to work.  "Worker" is slang used by firefighters.  "It sounds like we have a Worker!"

Size up:  The first arriving officer on the scene will "give a size-up" over the radio.   First, the officer confirms the address of the incident to insure other responding units know exactly where they need to go.  Second they provide a description of the building or structure and finally they provide an initial plan of attack.   For example; "Chief 57 is on scene of a working fire at 123 East Main St.  We have an 80 by 100 three story standard brick taxpayer with fire showing from the second floor, side Alpha.  Engine 57 conduct a quick attack.  Ladder 57 conduct Vent, Entry & Search.  Engine 58 lay in from the hydrant at Main & Water and have your crew stretch a second line and back up Engine 57.  Engine 50 establish a water supply and report to command as RIT. "

Taxpayer:  This is the fire service name for a structure that has a business on the lower floor and a residence on the second floor and or third floor.

Side Alpha:  The side of a building or structure that faces the street.

RIT:  "Rapid Intervention Crew" or "Rapid Intervention Team" This will be a crew who is established strictly for the purpose of rescuing emergency personnel. Some form of RIT is required by NFPA 1500 and CFR 291910. They will assemble a collection of rescue tools and spare breathing apparatus.

Hope that was enough for tonight, more to follow.

See you at the Top!

John

Smells and Bells

With 14 days to go the key now is to maximize training time and not incur an injury.  Today a call for an MVA early this morning created an early start for the day.  The call was a "smells and bells" so we were back in short order.  (smells and bells: firefighting lingo for a call that yields no real work but a ride with lights and siren)

Training this morning was 30 minutes on the stationary bike, hill climb, level 12.  Then speed work on the stair mill.  4 sets of 20 floors at 90 steps/min.

Legs felt very good and I can feel/see an improvement in my cardio recovery from two weeks ago.  Clearly making good progress.

Brian and I plan to do a full gear practice run later this week, likely Thursday.

One other important thing to avoid between now and the climb.  Avoid getting sick.  Getting sick could really put a damper on this adventure.  Honestly I have been avoiding travel and even not going out too much to public places.  While I haven't become a germ-a-phobic,  it is getting close. 

See you at the at the Top!

John

Get Involved!

A quick thank you to Phil Holmes of the Sun Gazette for the very nice article in today's edition.  Phil took the time to speak with us and learn the real story behind the climb.  It was clear that he put time and effort into his work and for that we would like to say thanks.

Training today, Speed work w/weight vest,  4 sets of 20 floors at 90 steps/min w 65lb weight vest.  All I can say is tough.

I was going to cover the SCBA but thought I would touch on another subject first.

I have learned a lot about people so far in this adventure.  Some people get involved when you ask for assistance.  Other people hear your request but choose to not get involved.  I am always curious why some people don't get involved.  I find it hard to understand why this happens.  Perhaps someone could explain it to me.

The other subject is why Brian and I have taken on this adventure.  First it isn't to gain attention for ourselves.  The articles in the newspapers were designed to gain sponsors for the climb and benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Second we are honoring people who have fought and are fighting blood cancers.  Finally, we are doing something by getting involved.  

Thank you to those who read this blog and have gotten involved.  Your support is very important to us.  We look forward to carrying your name with us to the top of the Columbia Tower.

If you haven't become a sponsor yet,  well what the hell are you waiting for?  Stop watching and get involved!  Here is the link.  Please help   http://sponsorbrianandjohn.net

Sorry for the ranting tonight.

See you at the Top!

John

Hoods, Gloves and Boots

Training session today, 45 minutes on stationary bike, hill climb level 12.

Brian and I received our starting times for the Stair Climb, March 11.   I start at 9:30am.   Brian starts
at 1:50 PM    I was a bit disappointed that we weren't starting around the same time.  Now I get to set a time for him to beat! 

A bit about Hoods, Gloves and Boots.

when I first started in the fire service we didn't have protective hoods.  When our ears started to get hot and burn we knew it was time to get out of the building.   Today firefighters wear hoods to protect their neck, and head.  They are typically made of Nomex Knit Fabric which weighs 6 oz./ Sq. Yrd.; they are most often double ply with only one seam running from the top center of the face opening, over the top and down the bottom of the bib.

Structural Firefighting Gloves will fit over the wristlets of the coat sleeve, ensuring full enclosure of the arm. Gloves are designed to protect from extreme heat, various penetrating objects, and to allow dexterity. Usually the latter is sacrificed in order to give adequate protection to heat and sharp objects. Newer gloves are more lightweight and don't lose their dexterity when they dry after becoming wet, the way leather gloves may.

Early firefighting boots were typically made of rubber and often extremely bulky.  Modern structural fire fighting boots can be molded rubber or multi-layer leather or composite boots.  Current boots provide support and protection for the wearer.  Due to the enormous amounts of potential hazards at a fire scene to the feet, turnout boots are required to be able to handle a variety of different burns and blows. All boots are required to be outfitted with safety toes and a puncture resistant midsole plate to prevent puncture from sharp objects that may be stepped on.

 Tomorrow the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

See you at the Top!

John

More on Bunker Gear

Yesterday I was a bit stiff following the full gear practice run on Tuesday.  I decided to take a long training walk and get some fresh air.  Two miles in the brisk February air felt good after training in doors for the past few weeks.  It was also good to train for a day without going up steps.

Bunker gear/ turnout gear

Early fire fighters wore rubber coats to protect them from water.  As fire fighting tactics changed and fire fighters began to enter burning building to rescue people and extinguish fires their protective clothing evolved also.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the standards for personal protective equipment PPE that fire fighters typically wear.

According to NFPA 1971 and similar standards in other countries, all turnout clothing must have three components: an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal barrier. In between these layers are pockets of air referred to as "dead zones". These layers of air along with the three protective layers help to further insulate the wearer from the extreme environments of fires. Usually turnout pants are outfitted with reinforced knees and leather cuffs.

The materials used for the three layers in turnout trousers and coats may vary but will very often include a Nomex/Kevlar combination of material. As an example, the materials used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, as found in their 2005 recruit handout are as follows:

• Outer Shell: Southern Mills, Advanced, Nomex/Kevlar blend in a "Rip stop Weave", with water repellent finish.
• Thermal Insulated Layer: Southern Mills Caldura Batten Quilt Material.
• Thermal and Moisture barriers are sewn together for removal for cleaning, repair and replacement from Outer shell.
• Moisture Barrier: Breathe-Tex material combined with Nomex/Kevlar blend laminated cloth.

 While the newest turnout gear provides fire fighters the best in protection it also has some limitations.  The gear can limit mobility while working.  It can also limit the fire fighters ability to sense increasing heat conditions found in burning buildings.   This limitation can allow a fire fighter to not realize a high threat condition is developing and give them time to take action and prevent injury or incapacitation.

Tomorrow some information on boots, gloves, and hoods.

See you at the Top!

John

Turnout Gear

Today I got in a full gear workout.   69 floors, full turnout gear, with SCBA, on air.  Time 25:03  Max Hr 143, Max R 42.  Legs felt tested but not rubbery.  I was soaked when I finished.  Extra hydration this evening.  A good practice run.

For those that might be interested here is what is typically included in "turnout gear" or full fire fighting gear.

Boots 
Bunker pants, AKA turnout pants
Bunker coat, AKA turnout coat
Gloves
Hood
Helmet
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) w face piece
PASS device
Portable Radio

Optional or additional equipment
Axe
"Irons"  (Axe & Halligan)
Ladder or Rescue Belt
Flashlight
Door chocks or wedges
Webbing
Safety rope
Thermal Imaging Camera
Water Can
Hook or NY Tool
Saw 

Fire fighting helmet:

Historically, firefighters did not have the same level of protective clothing used today. Because of this most fires were fought from the outside of burning buildings, and structures were rarely entered. Early in the history of firefighting, a firefighter's outer clothing were more for warmth and dryness than for protection from fire. In the early 19th century, felt caps were worn of various design and were more for decoration than service, this early headgear did not provide any protection against flame or head injury but did keep water off the firefighter's face. The forerunner of the modern firefighter's helmet was developed in 1830 by a luggage maker Henry Gratacap who was a volunteer firefighter in New York City. He saw a need for a better designed helmet that was both functional and provided protection to the wearer. This helmet is immediately recognizable today as the "New Yorker" style and little has changed in its general shape. The helmet had a high peaked front to retain a helmet shield which was usually adorned with a company name and number and it also featured eight rib sections on the dome (for added rigidity) and a long rear brim that channeled water away from the wearer's neck.




Next Bunker Gear

See you at the Top!

John


thanks to Wiki for some of the info presented today.