Being An Abilene Fire Fighter

As a reporter, day in and day out, we deal with many people, especially police officers and fire fighters, we talk to them to get information about an accident scene, about a house fire, etc. They give us the information we need, like the who, what, when, where, why? And we get on our way to get the story together.

But for 8 weeks, I had the opportunity to take part in Abilene's Citizens Fire Academy. (I am one lucky girl!) I have to tell you... I am honored, I am blessed, and I feel privileged that I had this opportunity.

So let me brief you on a little of what we did.

We met every Thursday from 6 to 9pm. Every week we went over something the fire department did, from learning about the actual department, to learning about the different ladders, hoses, equipment, to having a search and rescue night, to riding in the bucket, shooting the water hose, to spending two evenings with the guys going to medical calls, fires, and accidents. It was very exciting! (my favorite part: blowing the horn!)

I met so many amazing people during the academy. Citizens like Shane Price, David Vela, Raymon Ince, Winona Henry, Lesa hart Crosswhite, Kelly Wright, Robert Laird, Joe Spano Jr., Rita, Kris, Diana, Aaron Vannoy and soo many more, were all part of this class.

Anyways, I am truly going to miss these guys! they made me laugh on so many nights! Despite a rough patch in my life, these guys made me smile every Thursday, the one thing I looked forward to every week!

So, every week we had a pop quiz about the class before. I've never been a good student lol so I failed. Aaron Vannoy won with the most wins! GREAT JOB AARON!

But let's talk about PLAY DAY!
Saturday, October 24, we got the chance to head to the fire department's training field. Something each and everyone of us looked forward to since day 1!
We were finally able to put everything we learned in 8 weeks to the test! (although I failed every quiz.. I dont think I did so bad on play day :) )

We got to the training field at around 9 am, and we were put in different groups, my group was Courtnee Hembree, Raymon Ince, & Kris Kowatch.

We started with Search and Rescue.

Courtnee and I partnered up and went into a room full of fog smoke, trying to find "a body" (a cone) but then we had to break down a wall with an ax, and then crawl through a small opening to get to the other side. It was scary, not being able to see anything at all... not even your own hand right infront of you.

Now, that was nothing, not even a little bit of what fire fighters have to go through during a fire. Not knowing the layout of a random house, not knowing if there is a victim in the home, if you turn right, and work your way around the room or house, and your victim was on the left the whole time, I mean, it was stressful in a room full of fog.. I can't imagine a house on fire, and trying to stay calm, while trying to find victims.

Then it was Repelling!

As our group got all geared up to repel off the 6 story building, we first started with baby steps, repelling off the second floor, not too bad! We get to the top, and Courtnee starts to get a little upset, plus her gloves were too big and she couldn't grip the ropes. I handed her my gloves that were smaller and tighter, and she went off and repelled! Now it's my turn, put on the gloves that Court gave me, and I suddenly feel a sting... it hurt like crazy! I GOT STUNG BY A YELLOW JACKET! The little bugar was in my glove, or Court's glove and it stung me, I've never been stung before so I was just in a pain I never felt before! Luckily, I had great fire fighter/paramedics at the scene to care of me!! :D

Side Note: Lunch Time!

We had an amazing Lunch :) The Chief of the Abilene Fire Department Chief Dozier cooked us hamburgers! And they were really good! Thanks Chief!

Hot, Hot, Hot-- Burn House!

My team got all geared up to take on the burn house. It's a building in which you have to drag a fire house up the stairs and into a room where there is a fire. Sounds easy, not so much! When you turn the nozzle on and put the fire out, it gets like a bazillion degrees (ok, not a bazillion but it gets extremely hot) We are all suited up, gloves, boots, pants, jackets, masks with our air bottle, everything, but you start sweating immediately! I'm not going to lie, I couldn't take the heat and had to step out during the burn house :(
Now, this is just a few minutes of us in this room, Fire Fighters sometimes battle a blaze for hours and hours, or grass fires that never seem to end.

Cutting Up Cars!

Then we headed over to the car our group was going to cut up! When the fire department has to extricate, it's serious because that means someone is stuck in the car. So we took out the tools, and started to cut the car! It's was amazing how powerful these tools are, that can break a door right off a car so easily.


These Are My Confessions!

I felt that I knew what a fire department does on a daily basis. I had no clue. I am amazed by the Abilene Fire Department. After this academy, I have a new found respect for these guys.
As most of you know, I am not from Abilene BUT I am so proud to be in Abilene and have the fire department that we have. They work hard to ensure the safety of each and everyone of us here. I wish every citizens could go through this class, and see exactly what they are all about. You would be so impressed.
They deal with harsh conditions, while fighting fires, they deal with seeing things like fatal accidents that, they all wish they didn't have to, they deal with long hours, and so much more.
If you see a fire fighter around town, just say thanks, because they deserve the appreciation.

As for the Chief and all the amazing Fire Fighters I met, THANK YOU! You guys are amazing!