Pic of the Week Jan. 3rd to Jan. 10th

[five_alarm]

Pic A

Submitted by: Stuart Koflick - Wabamun, AB

Extinguisher not big enough!!

[five_alarm]

Pic B

Submitted by: Paul Perry - Miscouche, PE

[five_alarm]

Pic C

Submitted by: Mike Swindell - Kentville, NS
Photographer: Andy Holzli - Blackfalds, AB

Halifax new pumper in the bilzzard of '03

[mikeswindell]

Looking at the pic of the Halifax pumper I noticed that I put the wrong date on. It was the blizzard of '04 not '03.
Sorry people

[Michael13]

I had to go with Pic A. How rare is a call like that? Never mind the spent extingushier, look at the cars. and the Hailfax pump, you are drafting, but to where? I see no lines or pump operator, and the pics looks fake. What type of fire were you fighting anyway??

[mikeswindell]

Hey

They are doing a pump test in this pic. There is a monitor behind the truck. The pic was taken just comming on dark which may be why the pic looks fake.

[ThFyrWthn]

Mikes is so purdy it could be a Christmas card. Nice pic :)

[mikeswindell]

Thanks Paula.
:) :D ;)

[dandy]

Mike's pic is really good. I agree with Paula...it definitely would make a good christmas card. :)

[Michael13]

Ok, I see. Makes sence now. And it is a good pic, just a bit different.

[firecadet911]

Something that deterred me from choosing pic "A" was the fact that one of the personell pictured was not wearing his helmet while on scene. Did anybody else pick up on this???

[DFCSmash]

True enough, at this point he isn't. One must be sure that a piece of cloud will never smite you.

[bestcoast]

Ya i quess you don't want a car falling on your head....:rolleyes:

[Michael13]

first of all, the fires out, and those guys are officers. you guys wear your full gear all the time, right until you get back to the hall??? you're nuts. i can't wait to get that heavy, smelly, uncomfortable gear off! my bucket is never on my head, when it doesnt need to be. i still like that pic. it better win

[firecadet911]

As Officers, it is EASY to NOT wear the gear because you probably won't be in a dangerous area...well, maybe. For years, we didn't wear ours either and it dawned on us one day that we need to wear our gear for a few reasons that include:
-It sets the example.
-We MAY have to go into the dangerous area.
-We MAY have to urgently ASSIST those working in the dangerous area.
-We MAY get hurt!
-----------------------------------------------------------Wear your gear-all of it from the helmet to the boots and everything in-between when operating at potentially dangerous calls... Why? Well, the obvious choice is to take care of YOU. But if that’s not as critical or a priority to you, consider operating safely for those who might have to “rescue” you... or might have to go to your family and explain that you may not be coming home.

When “WE” tell the politicians and the public that “WE” have a dangerous job and need their support-it makes it kinda hard to convince them when we fail to take care of ourselves.
-----------------------------------------------------------

*Courtesy of www.firefighterclosecalls.com

Ok, so the incident has been taken care of, but I still feel that while on scene everybody should be wearing full bunker gear. Sure, once you've returned to your truck you can take off your gear, but the issue i was trying to bring forward was not that I saw somebody on a truck in the picture without their bunker gear on: I saw somebody on scene without full bunker gear on. Make your job as safe as you can for yourself and those around you.

[bestcoast]

I quess they should of had a charged line in their hand's too, you know in case it went up in flame's again.....Did that picture of Halifax's new engine have a wheel block under the tire?? And the guy in Picture B isn't wearing an SCBA:eek::rolleyes: :eek: Chill man they are just picture's......
Stirring the pot just for you DFC.....;)

[Whitewater_419]

Not to jump into a flame-fest or anything, but it's a good point; *technically*, we *should* be wearing our full gear at all times until we've left the scene. I'm not on a soap box or anything, because I'll remove the bucket and gloves for a while after everything's calmed down, but Firecadet brings up a good point: Things *could* heat up in a second, we *could* be called back into a situation where seconds cound - seconds that must then be spent putting your gear back on.

Our chief is pretty staunch on this one - when he's on scene, he makes sure people put their full gear back on or they have to leave the scene. (I think there's some worries about the insurance carrier, too, which justifies the caution, in addition to making sure we take care of ourselves)

[Michael13]

I'm rolling my eyes right now. jezzzzz sure something could happen, but theres risks in life. you spend your whole life following saftey rules, you're wasting your life. better rules to follow would be like making sure SCBA bottles are full, or the trucks get refilled with water. Its happened to us, and I hate it. drives me crazy. or making sure radios are in the charger base. thats a problem for us too. cant call a mayday if your radio dont work. so little things like not wearing your bucket is kinda dumb. even though those guys are on a busy highway, if they get hit my a vehicle a bucket wont help em anyway. bring on next weeks poic, enough of this one.

[Whitewater_419]

Originally posted by Michael13
I'm rolling my eyes right now. jezzzzz sure something could happen, but theres risks in life. you spend your whole life following saftey rules, you're wasting your life.

No offence, but that's a silly statement. You don't spend your whole life at a fire scene, so following safety regs when you are on it certainly isn't a waste of your life - It may even save it.

...better rules to follow would be like making sure SCBA bottles are full, or the trucks get refilled with water. Its happened to us, and I hate it. drives me crazy. or making sure radios are in the charger base. thats a problem for us too. cant call a mayday if your radio dont work. so little things like not wearing your bucket is kinda dumb. even though those guys are on a busy highway, if they get hit my a vehicle a bucket wont help em anyway. bring on next weeks poic, enough of this one.

Yeah, but have you asked your chief of hall captain what happens on the paperwork/compensation side of things when an accident occurs and you weren't wearing all of your gear ? It's not just you that would be affected.

As for being hit by a vehicle; Sure, your bucket could make a difference: If you were clipped by a vehicle and knocked on the road, the bucket could mean the difference between only having bruised ribs (wearing the bucket) and a concussion when your head smacks the ground (not wearing it).

We've been told time and time again at our hall that the Ministry of Labour is starting to look a lot more closely at fire halls and fire ground operations - It's not just your butt in a sling if procedures aren't followed.

I'm not trying to preach, but really, you never know what might happen. Hell, I hate paying car, house and business insurance, but I know I'd be glad as all get out *if* something happened that they'd be required.

[Zokambaa]

Perhaps the guy in the picture did have his helmet.. but had just taken it off for a few minutes (scratch head etc...) and was just holding it in the hand not visible due to camera angle...

[Michael13]

Ever watch the movie, What about Bob? If you follow wvery single rule and safety rule, you're just like him. I dont wanna get hit, or see anybody hurt, or whatever. but i feel like takingmy bucket off, I'm sure as hell gonna do it, even if the Bigshots dont like it.