They call me the Fireman, That's my name.
No not really. That is a George Strait song lyric. However recently, I had a visitor named Eric who asked me if I was really a Fireman and really in the Navy. He saw a comment I left on my favorite fireman's blog; Monkeys are funny. My answer would be kind of and Yes. First off Yes I was in the Navy for 20 years. I was kind of a fireman because everyone on the submarine went through firefighting school for obvious reasons. Being isolated on a submarine, often hundred of feet below the ocean and thousands of miles from land, we all had to be ready in case a fire broke out. There was no one else to fight a fire so we had to do it. An oil fire on a submarine would be out of control in less than 15 minutes and the compartment would flash, which means that everything and everyone in it would burn.
Actually, my father was a fireman for most of his life. In his later years, he was the Fire Chief for the City of Ormond Beach. Before he was a fireman, he was a lifeguard on the beach, He spent his whole life working for the City of Ormond. When he died they had his hat bronzed and gave it to us. However my older brother lost it because he was too lazy to pay a storage space rental but that is water under the bridge now. Grrrrrrrrr
Anyway, I was actually an Electronics Technician, Nuclear. That means that I worked on electronics in the nuclear area. During our offcrew however I also went to other training. I got a marksman ribbon for the 45 caliber pistol and I also went to firefighting training. Those were given twice a year. So don't try to sneak up on me. I have a gun and I really know how to use it. :) As for the fire fighting training it was really intense. We went through a series of exercises ending in the big oil fire.
To do this one, we had to each put on breathing equipment and enter a building engulfed in flames. We went in as two teams, one cooling the teams with a fog and the other brushing back the fire with a more intense spray. For about the first 19 years I enjoyed the training. I trusted my partners to protect me and had no trouble going into a smoke and fire filled room. However the last time that I did it, I began to hyperventilate and knew that it was time to give it up. I lost my nerve and knew it. So thankfully I retried shortly after that and never had to be put to the test. I did however attack several small fires but nothing big. I am good with a co2 extinguisher.
So hats off to my father and all the other firemen out there. I know what you go through and appreciate the job that you do. I would also like to remind everyone of the Charleston 9 who paid the ultimate sacrifice and are our hero's. They lost their lives in a Charleston fire when the roof collapsed.
Have a great day,
Greg
Actually, my father was a fireman for most of his life. In his later years, he was the Fire Chief for the City of Ormond Beach. Before he was a fireman, he was a lifeguard on the beach, He spent his whole life working for the City of Ormond. When he died they had his hat bronzed and gave it to us. However my older brother lost it because he was too lazy to pay a storage space rental but that is water under the bridge now. Grrrrrrrrr
Anyway, I was actually an Electronics Technician, Nuclear. That means that I worked on electronics in the nuclear area. During our offcrew however I also went to other training. I got a marksman ribbon for the 45 caliber pistol and I also went to firefighting training. Those were given twice a year. So don't try to sneak up on me. I have a gun and I really know how to use it. :) As for the fire fighting training it was really intense. We went through a series of exercises ending in the big oil fire.
To do this one, we had to each put on breathing equipment and enter a building engulfed in flames. We went in as two teams, one cooling the teams with a fog and the other brushing back the fire with a more intense spray. For about the first 19 years I enjoyed the training. I trusted my partners to protect me and had no trouble going into a smoke and fire filled room. However the last time that I did it, I began to hyperventilate and knew that it was time to give it up. I lost my nerve and knew it. So thankfully I retried shortly after that and never had to be put to the test. I did however attack several small fires but nothing big. I am good with a co2 extinguisher.
So hats off to my father and all the other firemen out there. I know what you go through and appreciate the job that you do. I would also like to remind everyone of the Charleston 9 who paid the ultimate sacrifice and are our hero's. They lost their lives in a Charleston fire when the roof collapsed.
Have a great day,
Greg
Comments
:-)
Have you seen the movie Fireproof yet? Great fireman movie. hee hee
I would be a bit upset about that bronze hat too. :|
When you spoke about you being in the navy, instantly I thought of my father, he too was in the navy in va.
It did sound like a resume! :)
But great post and thank you for sharing.
Be blessed today
Sharon
That visitor named Eric...well, opps. It was me. I didn't realize I was on (Alberquando) his account. I wonder how many people I left comments for that day! So typical.
OK, Anyway, thanks SO much for the story. I Was curious. Fighting fire under water---wow. There's no bailing out there...no pun intended.
I know what you mean about the intense training. They told us they wanted us to experience (if possible) the worst we would ever need to do while under controlled circumstances.
I was in Cherry Grove SC when I heard about the Charleston 9. What a tragedy. I brought home the newspaper and the picture/article is still on our bulletin board at the station.
Oh...and a bronzed helmet...wow. Sorry it's gone.
My dad and grandfather were firefighters. My grandfather was the 2nd paid firefighter in the county and was eventually chief. I wish they had some of their gear or memorabilia. I did find a gentleman that had some old photos and articles that he let me copy. Also have a trophy my dad had.
ANYWAY, thanks so much for the info.
Fascinating!
Your friend,
Eric...lol
Firemen are a wonderful, brave, strong group of men!
"I am the fireman that's my name, I go all over town putting out flames" something like that :)
I'm also laughing at my sister (ADHD) logging in on her sons account. That is funny! Almost like a set up, as you then mentioned her in your blog. Sounds suspicious to me! LOL!