As the driver pulled the truck alongside the hydrant, none of us in the back had time to make sense of the radio message we just heard.  I looked at No.1, 2 and 3 running down the driveway towards the other appliances, breathing apparatus (BA) on, ready to swing into action.  Left with the task of untangling the mess of feeder hose on the ground, shift the standpipe to connect our truck to the mains, and then catch up with No.3, my brain was too focused on the current action to decipher the radio message.  Time was of the essence.  While I zeroed in on the flashing lights illuminating the night, looking for my BA partner, I needed to make sense of that radio message… “glass roof, metal structure, 5m x 5m building ablaze, need extra BA wearers!”  A lot of contradictions in terms which I hoped would make more sense once on site…

This is what happens in case of an emergency.  If smoke alarms were to go off in your house, you would have to act even though you are still in a situation where you are not able to figure out what’s happening.  And more often than not, you would also be thinking of your partner, the kids, granny, the dog, your dressing gown, car keys, whatever!  That is why it is so important to be prepared, to be able to rely on few straight forward FireWise behaviours.

Smoke is toxic and reduces visibility.  GET DOWN.  Better air can be found near the floor.  GET LOW.  Fires start quietly and grow quietly.  GET OUT.  Many die returning to the burning house.  STAY OUT.  CALL 111 and ask for the Fire service.  Give the complete name, house number, street name, cross-road (if possible), town area, and city.  Go to a SAFE MEETING PLACE such as the letterbox.

September 26 is daylight savings.  Take this opportunity to set up FireWise projects and activities for the week leading up to daylight savings: gently dust smoke alarms with a vacuum cleaner, test smoke alarms to ensure they beep, check all your windows open easily for fast escape, make sure you have one smoke alarm in each room (except kitchen, bathroom, garage), work an escape plan to suit your home, practice it with your family and neighbours.

Change Your Clock

Check Your Smoke Alarm

In brigade news this month . . .  

Brigade members took part in a large North Shore Fire Services exercise that involved hazardous material scenarios, motor vehicle accidents and rescuing people in waterway systems.  On station training focused on actively consolidating skills in salvage techniques, knots and lines.

Concluding word…to a valiant heart nothing impossible.

Firefighter Isabelle LARDEUX-GILLOUX