Just finished the Fire Academy at age 55.

[njnomad]

Just finished an intensive and gruelling 5 week Fire Academy at the age of 55. SOB, what was I thinking....but I did it. Being a disabled vet made things a lot harder. 21 of us in the class, some 18, 19, 20 year olds, majority being in their
20s and a couple of guys in their very early 30s. And me at 55. Just on the second week alone, three guys went down one morning and one guy in the afternoon due to the heat and humidity as we had on full turnout gear, airpacks, face piece, nomex hood and helmet (which totalled to 50+ lbs). Two guys eventually dropped out because of the physical demands and one guy just couldn't make the grade. (A sister class had two guys hauled away by ambulance)

I can't even remember going through anything as physically demanding (even the military wasn't this hard but I was a lot younger then). There were SEVERAL instances where I actually thought that if I was going to have a heart attack, it was going to happen now, thank god it didn't. I had to consciously fight my breathing back down to normal after climbing 3,4 or 5 stories carrying a 100 lb high-rise pack or pulling a 2 1/2" fully charged attack hose up those stairs. Or crawling on my hands and knees in pitch black rooms fully engulfed with hot smoke with a partner as we searched the room for fallen "victims"...sweeping the floor with a Halligan tool or a fire ax, as the guy in the rear held on to the leg of the lead guy who was using the wall as a guide, to keep from getting lost. Then in the middle of the search, our SCBA alarm would activate, telling us that we had less than 10 minutes of air left (if we were lucky). Then we would have to turn around and claw our way back out without getting lost...before our air ran out.

Several times after different drills, I felt like I was dying, but these young guys who were standing next to me also felt the same way. We were all dying. And we all had the same pains...and the same anxieties...and the same fears. And because of this, a strong bond developed and I made some lifelong friends. Age didn't matter. I did ask some of them that when they turned 55, if they would have a drink for me, as I will be long gone when they turned 55. They just laughed.

Life is good. :bliss

[njnomad]

BTW, I forgot to include in my post, the day after I finished the Fire Academy...my first actual free day...I got on the beemer and went for a long ride.

[spanky]

I read your post but I think I missed the part about WHY you did this.

So, spill the beans, you old fart. I can call you that because at 53 I'm younger than you. :nyah :dance

[njnomad]

I read your post but I think I missed the part about WHY you did this.



To be a volunteer fire fighter. To give something back....as corny as it may sound. :fart

[AKBeemer]

Congratulations, quite an accomplishment.


This isn't a case of you finishing the course at age 55 after having started it when you were 28, is it? :)

[njnomad]

Thank you. Actually, I just joined the Volunteer Fire Service this past June but couldn't get into the Fire Academy till last month. Would I do it again? You bet. :dance

[jamesdunn]

You accomplished something that made you feel good about yourself and...may help your community. A win/win situation. Congratulations.

[njnomad]

Thank you. :)

[spanky]

To be a volunteer fire fighter. To give something back....as corny as it may sound. :fart


Congrats, it doesn't sound corny at all!

[njnomad]

In all honesty, Monday of the second week, I dropped out. The morning session was brutal. Part of my right foot which had been reconstructed with heavy metal, my right shoulder which also had some reconstruction, 3 herniated disc and being 54 yrs old (I turned 55 while in the academy) were taking it's toll. Not to use those as excuses but it is what it is... and I was REALLY HURTING AND EXHAUSTED.

When we broke for lunch that day, I didn't want to be an a-hole and just disappear. I felt I owed the guys an explanation so I got them together, told them that I was leaving and explained to them why. They were all very supportive and tried to talk me into staying but I told them it was for the best. That my body couldn't take it. What happened next flabbergasted me. They got in a line, shook my hand, and thanked me for serving our country. I didn't know what to say, I was embarrassed. What really got me was afterwards, when two guys approached me as I was getting my gear together. They told me that they were going to miss me as I was their role model. That me being ex-military, a retired cop and being at the age I am and going through this program really inspired and motivated them. That if I can do it....they can do it. Apparently a lot of the students felt that way. Wow! It gave me a lot to think about.

On the drive home and that evening I did some soul searching. Its funny but the weekend before, I was already pondering quitting the program. I explained to my wife why...then I asked her if she was going to hold it against me if I did quit (I don't know why I asked her that)...she just smiled and said no.

The following morning (Tue), I went back to the Fire Academy and the rest is history.

[Mika]

:thumb :thumb

[OldRed]

My hat's off. I'm your age and didn't serve and I can't tell you how much I regret that decision. You've given me something to consider.

[njnomad]

My hat's off. I'm your age and didn't serve and I can't tell you how much I regret that decision. You've given me something to consider.

Wow! Again, I don't know what to say. I'm very glad that I've influenced you in a positive way and my hat's off to you for considering some type of volunteer service. I wish more people did. :nod

[AKBeemer]

I thought I was old when I went through jump school in the Army at age 35. Most of the class was 17-19 years old and thought I was a dinosaur.

[njnomad]

I thought I was old when I went through jump school in the Army at age 35. Most of the class was 17-19 years old and thought I was a dinosaur.

I know I'm a dinosaur (just kidding). But they did occasionally call me pops or gramps in jest. :gerg The funny (and sometimes annoying) thing was that they wouldn't let me carry anything heavy, like I was a decrepit or something. They would try to take from me whatever heavy gear or hose I was carrying, then I'd have to yell at them to leave me alone or get outta here....or.... I would say OK and give it to them. :lol

[flymymbz]

:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap

and you're going to be a volunteer?

:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow


MOST of the firefighters in the two counties that I dispatch for are volunteer.

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!


Congratulations, and just ignore us cranky dispatchers. We're only that way because we need chocolate and caffeine. And possibly pizza ;)

[njnomad]

Thanks...and chocolate, caffeine, pizza and BEER are always good! :buds

[flymymbz]

Thanks...and chocolate, caffeine, pizza and BEER is always good! :buds

lol!!


I am convinced that I would be a MUCH kinder, gentler, patienter, less bitchy dispatcher, if I could only have a beer or glass of wine before I start my day.
~sigh~ too bad management frowns upon that kind of thing. hehehehehe

Be careful out there

Dee :bottle

[njnomad]

Shoulda done this before going to the fire academy. :huh


EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50:

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of
room at each side. With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your
arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you
can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you'll find
that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.

After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks. Then try
50-lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a
100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more
than a full minute. (I'm at this level.)

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks.

[Pat Carol]

To be a volunteer fire fighter. To give something back....as corny as it may sound. :fart

Now you get to work on your EMT or MFR. Then you can volunteer at First Aid in Redmond.
I commend you for such an accomplishment. I'm close to punching out of the fire service. I am at the 24 year mark. I know I will miss it. I will especially miss the guy's I work with.

Great Job Rookie:laugh
Pat Carol

[njnomad]

Thank you for the kudos and my congrats to you for being appointed Ambassador. :thumb

(Just returned from MVA call out w/extrication...all went well). It's going to be a while before I EVEN think of taking any other fire or EMT class. I'm still recuperating from the fire academy (lol...not really...I'm doing good). I do have a lot to learn. As they told us in class, we're just learning enough to get in trouble. It's good to get back into it though and my hat's off to you for going on 24 yrs.

Oh yah...."rookie"?? I haven't been called that in years (30 yrs to be exact). In this case, it's "probie". :p

[Pat Carol]

Thank you for the kudos and my congrats to you for being appointed Ambassador. :thumb

(Just returned from MVA call out w/extrication...all went well). It's going to be a while before I EVEN think of taking any other fire or EMT class. I'm still recuperating from the fire academy (lol...not really...I'm doing good). I do have a lot to learn. As they told us in class, we're just learning enough to get in trouble. It's good to get back into it though and my hat's off to you for going on 24 yrs.

Oh yah...."rookie"?? I haven't been called that in years (30 yrs to be exact). In this case, it's "probie". :p

I correct myself " Probie".
The Fire Academy teachs you enough to be dangerous. Your real classroom is in the field.
Throughout the year's in my career, I have always told the people I work with to never be afraid of constructive criticism. Critique's are very important in the fire service, as long as they are done with professionalism and not humiliation. That rule goes both ways. Whether it is a firefighter or command officer.
I am truly proud and very fortunate to work with the guy's I work with. We get along very well and look out for each other. We have learned each other's strength's and weakness. We back each other up and never put each other down in our post run critique's.
Now in regards to station prank's, I am guilty. You know that most firefighter's are just big kid's. There isn't a member of my department that has been spared a washdown by me. Here is an example.
We got a new Fire Chief about a year ago. I had one of our guy's ask him to look at some damage to one of our engines. The Chief walked up to the truck, I was on top in the hose bed with a bucket of water. I doused the Chief and welcomed him to the department. Nothing like first impression's. He took it very well. That night when I went to sleep, I put my face into my pillow, that was saturated with vasoline. I love my job!

Take Care
Pat

[PSanborn]

I've heard of the difficulties of the fire academy. My son graduated from the Broward County Fire Academy a couple of years ago. The stories he told me sounded like your story.

He's a full time fireman in Riviera Beach, Fl.

Congratulations....making it through is no small feat at any age.

and Thanks!!......for everything!

Pete

[njnomad]

I've heard of the difficulties of the fire academy. My son graduated from the Broward County Fire Academy a couple of years ago. The stories he told me sounded like your story.

He's a full time fireman in Riviera Beach, Fl.

Congratulations....making it through is no small feat at any age.

and Thanks!!......for everything!

Pete

Thank you and you're welcome. :)

Just one more note...I wasn't going to add this had it gone the other way. On the last day of class, we had to take the state written exam to be a certified fire fighter. They told us that it would take two weeks to get the results. Considering that there is a high failure rate (an earlier class had 14 out of 19 fail the written exam), the pressure was on. It was the last big obstacle. Today was the end of the two weeks and.....

....I passed.

[njnomad]

Fighting my first fire (big one at that). Massive explosion inside a paving company building which was a 2-story metal structure. The blast was heard miles away and blew out windows in the area. It made the local news and paper. I'm the lead firefighter manning the nozzle.

20595

[njnomad]

20596

[LCBIKEMAN]

BRAVO! Stay safe and thanks for your service. Keep a journal. You'll be amazed at what you learn about yourself and your fellow man.

[njnomad]

20597

[njnomad]

20598

[njnomad]

20599

[Pat Carol]

Well you got your cherry busted PROBIE! So now you can be upgraded to a Virgin Veteran. I remember my first fire. Man was I pumped.
I am truly proud of you.

Take Care & Stay Safe
Pat Carol

[MCMXCIVRS]

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20598

Oops, someone left the ladder pipe in rescue mode.


Good shots, looks like you got a real worker for your first fire. :thumb Always mixed emotions from those calls, the thrills and excitement of a big blaze paired with the knowledge the someones home or buisiness is lost.

[jamesdunn]

Good job! You're now among the initiated with your first fire well fought and in the rear view mirror.

[njnomad]

Much thanks guys for the kind words. It was a pleasure getting my "cherrie busted".

One of the things that truly impressed me, besides the great teamwork, was when I shifted positions a couple of times and glanced behind me, there was a 4-man RIT team (from a mutual aid company) standing by watching us from a few yards back ready to assist us if we needed help or rescue us if we went down. Apparently there was a team on every corner of the building standing by. These guys were fully geared and armed with the tools needed for a rescue....these guys were SHARP!! Also worth mentioning were the EMS crews who were also standing by. These guys were great. They had a tent set up with food and water for hydrating us (which I needed) along with a triage area. It felt good to know that as I fought the fire, there was a crack team of firefighters and paramedics covering me and ready to help if needed. Makes life a lot easier. :thumb