Since the last update we've begun (and recently finished) the ladders section of the fire academy. Learning about laddering a structure for access, roof access, egress, and rescue. Its more complicated than i'd realized. And finding out that fire department ladders really are very very different than homeowner ladders, both in construction and function. Oh, and damn can they get HEAVY, ok all aluminum construction, its a light metal, usually. But 180 pound ladders ... thats a beefy piece of equipment, and unless you've got a really good crew you wind up basically doing a three person raise with 2 people. So long story short i have aches and pains that have aches and pains and i think i've chipped a groove into my shoulder from lugging around the 35' extension ladders all weekend. At least there wasnt a church raise (50' ladder sticking straight up in the air balanced by 4 stay lines and 2"tormentor poles" and you climb up and sit on top to "build teamwork" ) and we don't have any bangor ladders (45'+ ladders that require up to 8 people to raise). The hardest ground ladder based skill we learned was definitely something affectionately referred to as the "14 up a 35", we have 35' extension ladders which are the largest extension ladders carried in my jurisdiction, and 14' roof ladders so called because they have hooks that will hold them onto the slanted surface of a roof. So as the name would suggest you carry the 14' ladder up the 35' ladder and place it on the roof while you're leg locked into the extension ladder. It's not THAT bad but that 25 pound roof ladder gets REALLY heavy about 1/3 of the way up, and keeping your balance on the 35' ladder while its bouncing and swaying and creaking and bouncing and oh yeah BOUNCING while you climb is excedingly difficult. Got that done, nearly barfed the first time doing that one. that was fun!!!
So come sunday and we're thinking we're going to have another difficult but not impossible day. Then we're informed that we're just going to go do some rescues out at the burn structure. We do a couple conscious and unconscious rescues, practice the pregnant lady carry and some drags, and its getting a little later on in the day so we're thinking we're going to break for lunch. We all kinda do a double take when we hear a jake brake and a diesel engine. Sure enough they had pulled a fast one on us, they had brought in the 105' straight stick aerial ladder. We knew we'd have to do it eventually, go up that monster ladder but not sunday, it was scheduled for this coming thursday. I don't think i was mentally prepared for this very well.
They put out the outriggers and give us a tour of the truck showing us all the capabilities and tools the county truck crews have. And then the most disastrous words of the day. "I guess we should put the stick up and have you guys climb." OH C**P!!!!
Luckily i had my camera with me so i've actually got photographic proof that me, the one probably most afraid of heights in the entire class made it all the way up. To tell you the truth it wasnt that bad, i mean it wasnt the most fun i;ve ever had but i wouldnt hesitate to try it again. I know now that they're not as wobbly as you would think. I'll stop blabbering now and show you all some pics that we took .
From left to right: Arnab, Chris, and lil' 'ol me as you can see not too excited about this whole thing.
Kevin at the top of the ladder, oh look, its the moon too!
Proof I made it, yup thats my tubby butt all the way at the top!
Made it back down safe!
Just for scale, thats Rahil at the top of the ladder, And Jim kneeling about 75' in front of the truck. Yeah its really F'ing high!
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2 comments:
Holy Cow.
I think I would have made it halfway up that last ladder before I puked. I'd have to be rescued.
MAJOR Props from me for what it's worth. You're a flippin' rockstar.
Seriously cool.
damn, dude. good for you for getting to the top!
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