for Farback...
UncleMac
Posts: 14,117 Member
If firemen had to do their jobs like cops:
A fire truck with one fireman would be sent to an address without a clear indication of the problem. The complainant is a neighbor who said they saw smoke or steam or something, maybe from the house or the alley or a vehicle.
When the fire truck pulls up, the complainant runs outside and yells at the fireman for taking too long, and tells him not to park in front of his house. The fireman sees smoke from the house in question, so he knocks on the front door. After fifteen minutes of knocking, a person who barely speaks English answers the door and says there is no fire. Smoke is billowing out the door. The homeowner tells the fireman to screw off and slams the door in his face.
The fireman goes to his truck and checks the computer to see if this house has burned before. He finds out the house has a history of fires, and smoke is now coming through the roof. The fireman requests a warrant to fight the fire, and has to state his reasons to believe the house is burning.
Neighbors are now banging on the fire truck and screaming for the fireman to do something. A bystander is taking video with his cell phone and demanding to know the fireman's name and badge number. The fireman radios for another truck and two additional firemen. In about an hour they get the warrant, and they start to pour water on the house.
Neighbors yell outside and complain the trucks are too loud. The firemen go inside, resuscitate the homeowner and put out the flames. The fireman then sits in his truck and makes notes while he eats a convenience store burrito and cold coffee. He writes a report to state why he thought the house was burning, how the fire was put out, and that they took no more steps than absolutely necessary. He makes a list of everybody that was affected by the fire, including their name, date of birth and address, and how they were affected.
Before he finishes his reports, another complaint comes in and the same process occurs at another address. This happens five more times that shift.
At the end of the shift the fireman goes back to the station and submits his reports to the captian, who asks if the fireman was sure all the houses that day had been on fire, and if he was justified in putting them all out. The report is then officially submitted.
Seven months later the fireman is called to court to swear that the house was on fire, and that his warrant to fight the fire was accurate. The homeowner's lawyer cross examines the fireman and asks the exact temperature of the flames (in Celsius and farenheit), what stage the fire was at when the fireman first pulled up, the color of the carpet in the home, how much water they used, why they broke the lock on the door, why did the windows get smashed, would the house have burned if the firemen had not showed up at all, who reported the fire, how did they know it was smoke and not steam, if their fire truck was properly certified, and was their training up to date.
Five months later the court rules that the house acutally had been on fire and the fireman was justified in putting it out, but they chastise the fireman for getting the rug dirty, wrecking a shrub, and bruising the homeowner's ribs doing CPR. The homeowner is awarded damages, and the fire department puts a disciplinary letter on his file for ruining the shrub.
Six months later the fireman gets a photo radar ticket for speeding on the way to the fire and has to justify himself.
A fire truck with one fireman would be sent to an address without a clear indication of the problem. The complainant is a neighbor who said they saw smoke or steam or something, maybe from the house or the alley or a vehicle.
When the fire truck pulls up, the complainant runs outside and yells at the fireman for taking too long, and tells him not to park in front of his house. The fireman sees smoke from the house in question, so he knocks on the front door. After fifteen minutes of knocking, a person who barely speaks English answers the door and says there is no fire. Smoke is billowing out the door. The homeowner tells the fireman to screw off and slams the door in his face.
The fireman goes to his truck and checks the computer to see if this house has burned before. He finds out the house has a history of fires, and smoke is now coming through the roof. The fireman requests a warrant to fight the fire, and has to state his reasons to believe the house is burning.
Neighbors are now banging on the fire truck and screaming for the fireman to do something. A bystander is taking video with his cell phone and demanding to know the fireman's name and badge number. The fireman radios for another truck and two additional firemen. In about an hour they get the warrant, and they start to pour water on the house.
Neighbors yell outside and complain the trucks are too loud. The firemen go inside, resuscitate the homeowner and put out the flames. The fireman then sits in his truck and makes notes while he eats a convenience store burrito and cold coffee. He writes a report to state why he thought the house was burning, how the fire was put out, and that they took no more steps than absolutely necessary. He makes a list of everybody that was affected by the fire, including their name, date of birth and address, and how they were affected.
Before he finishes his reports, another complaint comes in and the same process occurs at another address. This happens five more times that shift.
At the end of the shift the fireman goes back to the station and submits his reports to the captian, who asks if the fireman was sure all the houses that day had been on fire, and if he was justified in putting them all out. The report is then officially submitted.
Seven months later the fireman is called to court to swear that the house was on fire, and that his warrant to fight the fire was accurate. The homeowner's lawyer cross examines the fireman and asks the exact temperature of the flames (in Celsius and farenheit), what stage the fire was at when the fireman first pulled up, the color of the carpet in the home, how much water they used, why they broke the lock on the door, why did the windows get smashed, would the house have burned if the firemen had not showed up at all, who reported the fire, how did they know it was smoke and not steam, if their fire truck was properly certified, and was their training up to date.
Five months later the court rules that the house acutally had been on fire and the fireman was justified in putting it out, but they chastise the fireman for getting the rug dirty, wrecking a shrub, and bruising the homeowner's ribs doing CPR. The homeowner is awarded damages, and the fire department puts a disciplinary letter on his file for ruining the shrub.
Six months later the fireman gets a photo radar ticket for speeding on the way to the fire and has to justify himself.
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Replies
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Awesome.1
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I just saw this. This is awesome! It reminded me of an incident years ago when I was hanging out at the fire hall (go figure, eh?) and I saw a solid sheet of flame in the window of a second floor apartment across the street. We are a university town and have a lot of foreign students, often densly housed in one apartment. I ran over and knocked on the door to see if the place was on fire. The door opens, smoke pours out over the head of a young chinese fellow, and he says ‘No fire here! You go away!’ Slam. Seems they had a cooking fire and weren’t interested in my help.3
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Yes, over the years here I’ve seen a lot of insular behavior. We have had several foreign students join the department though, it’s nice to have diversity in what is most often an enclave of white guys. Our department has been lucky to have men and women of widely varied backgrounds as members.4
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That speaks to your leadership.1
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Thanks. We’ve had a number of good Chiefs, and I’m proud to have been one of them. During my tenure I mended a lot of fences, made it a family organization again, promoted physical fittness (added a gym and shower facility) and tolerated no red-neckedness.4
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I was out for my 3 mile walk this morning, and it was cold. How cold was it? When I got to the fire hall the RCMP next door asked us to go across the road to Timmys to pick up their do-nuts.1
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My friend Jim used to be the town Police Chief (also was a captain in the fire department, a fellow heart attack survivor, and father of my son’s best friend). His nickname was naturally Chief Wiggum. He dropped his pistol once when he walked into the FD kitchen for coffee time. We used to joke that if Jim ever tried to shoot you, hold still so you didn’t walk into a stray round.2 -
The only time I've dealt with a dropped pistol was during a knock-down brawl. I was wrestling with the ne'er-do-well and, as we rolled around, I felt something underneath me on the ground... Since we were on a roadway, I figured it wasn't a good thing and I didn't know if it was mine (it wasn't) and I wasn't going to stop fighting long enough to check my holster. Duly inspired, I rendered the miscreant unconscious and then handcuffed him. The pistol belonged to my backup who got knocked down as we were thrashing around.
My friend Jim used to be the town Police Chief (also was a captain in the fire department, a fellow heart attack survivor, and father of my son’s best friend). His nickname was naturally Chief Wiggum. He dropped his pistol once when he walked into the FD kitchen for coffee time. We used to joke that if Jim ever tried to shoot you, hold still so you didn’t walk into a stray round.3 -
Not sure if Farback is gone to Jamaica yet... I know he's departing soon... I'll just leave this here in case he hasn't gone yet...
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Hi Mac
I’m in Jamaica, diving every day and having a great time. Here’s one for you.
WARNING, not for the sensive
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Bwahahaha!! I like it!0
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Those are great!1
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That’s great! I’ll have to work on a come-back.1
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So, in a clever effort to meet some cute paramedics, I got exposed to some refrigerant gas at a call last night. One symptom, in addition to the nausea and headache I went to get checked for is heart arrhythmias, which I had. So with my heart history turned into a non-negotiable ambulance ride. Four firefighters and several store staff all went to emerg. No lasting effects. Sure did get SWMBO wound up though. Had to attend a long lecture this morning; something about being 62 and getting killed or something. I didn’t really pay attention.3 -
Who served the lecture.... your wife or someone medical??So, in a clever effort to meet some cute paramedics, I got exposed to some refrigerant gas at a call last night. One symptom, in addition to the nausea and headache I went to get checked for is heart arrhythmias, which I had. So with my heart history turned into a non-negotiable ambulance ride. Four firefighters and several store staff all went to emerg. No lasting effects. Sure did get SWMBO wound up though. Had to attend a long lecture this morning; something about being 62 and getting killed or something. I didn’t really pay attention.
In case I haven't mentioned it before (and I think I have) you have my admiration on many levels... your activities and your mindset are outstanding!! Maybe I should retire to Wolfville? How is the medical system there?0 -
Well, thank you very much. I very much appreciate the comment. It was my beloved wife who sat on the edge of the bed reading me the riot act this morning while eating her breakfast. Not really unexpected, but I thought I had a few hours grace since I got home at 02:30.
This is a great place to live. I was amazed at the response by our Paramedics. I wasn't in the building, but drove the first-in unit, our heavy rescue. The other three FFs exposed were the Captain and two crew from my truck. I was out of the truck and close in to the building and crew for an hour by the time we realized the extent of what we had. The hazmat instrument for refrigerant gas was in alarm mode BEHIND my truck. We had been contaminated before we had a chance.
We had set up a triage/treatment area at our firehall, just across the street. I had moved my truck from the hot zone to beside the firehall when I started to feel nauseous. Unlike the old days when I’d just walk it off, I found someone to take over my truck and new crew. My previous crew had gone through emergency de-con and were being showered and assessed by EHS. I went in to get my vitals checked, fully expecting to be back in my truck shortly. That didn’t work out in my favour.
EHS had set up treatment and triage in our boardroom, were looking after about a dozen people, and had their act wired very tight. Amazing to see it all. I got the chest mohawk shave and put on the 12 lead and O2 given my history. They must have asked me my age half a dozen times in an amazed tone. Hell, I’m just hitting my stride. Anyway, they decided I was going to the hospital and I didn’t argue. Once dead, twice cooperative.
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My fiance has asked me several times where I want to retire to but I haven't given it that much thought. My parents are still alive on PEI and my three sisters are there as well. Less direct family is scattered hither, thither and nigh. Not sure I want to live too close to family... I wandered for a reason...
Having a decent pension means retirement shouldn't be too painful but, like you, I expect I will get bored unless I find an healthy outlet.0 -
This town is a retirement community. Great place, lots to do, the University makes it special. We've been here since 81, and wouldn't think of living anywhere else. I can hook you up with a limo job and we have, clearly, the best fire department in Canada with several geezers to hang out with.1
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This town is a retirement community. Great place, lots to do, the University makes it special. We've been here since 81, and wouldn't think of living anywhere else. I can hook you up with a limo job and we have, clearly, the best fire department in Canada with several geezers to hang out with.
I also want to learn how to woodwork properly rather than forever being a rough carpenter...0
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