Fire fighting updates

On Saturday last, I went to another fire fighters training class. This one was hosted by Dive International and was my Ice Rescue Specialist class.
Arrived at the FD at 0800 hours.
Ate an orange and muffin while sitting through 4 hours worth of class training. Took test for certification at completion of classroom training.
Went to lunch at 1200 hours at McGregror Lake Resort and rode to Little McGregor Lake in back on Engine 1.
Suited up in dry suits and watched as they cut two holes in the ice. Triangular areas were cut, ice approx. 11 inches deep. 5-6 inches Clear Ice, 5-6 inches Snow Ice.

Instructor: "Each of you will need to get in the water and first get yourself out using your hands only and then with the ice picks." FEAR HITS MY HEART!

I was amazed at how nervous I was. I had learned that if I was too nervous I was to say "no-go" on a rescue, but this was different. I have to get in that water if I want to pass my certification. I said about a thousand prayers in the next 7 minutes and then hopped in the water.

The water was cold, but the dry suits worked like a charm. I was fully dressed, minus my shoes, and pretty stinking warm. Easily, I lifted myself out of the water and shimmied onto the ice.

"Hey, it's just like a penguin!" Ridge says as he films all of us flopping onto the ice.

Next, ice pick time. Easier? Not. Good to know? For sure.

Then, it was actual rescue time. I go slide in the water again and here comes Aaron. Pretend you've been in the water awhile Kristen, I tell myself. Don't play nice.
Aaron preforms a perfect rescue. MY TURN!!!
I wish Brad had been around to take photos like last time, but I'm not sure I would want to be seen in the Gummby suit.
Arron slides in...and my IC begins to tell me what to do. I hook in and begin my rescue. Everything is going so wonderful..."slide in behind the victim, assume communication."
"Sir, I am coming into the water behind you, I'm going to need you to stay exactly where you are looking forward and listening to me. DO NOT TURN AROUND, stay where you are and I'm going to be right there." I glide over to him.
"Ok, continue to hold on to the ice while I slip this rope around you. OK?" Slip rope around victim. Hook to carabiner. OK, now make sure it's high up. Hold on to rope...give signal(tap head) and reach between his legs, and lift up.

And out we went...

Now, give signal again(wave)...cup chin for support, hang on to rope and give signal again(wave).

And it's over...my first rescue, completed...successfully!
Everyone else performed their rescues and then our instructor says, "now it's time for all you newbies to go stand behind the truck while we decide upon a scenario for you to perform." YIKES!!!

Dispatch comes across the radio with,"an intoxicated man around age 21 fell through the ice and is stable at Little McGregor Lake."
We had to decide upon an IC (in command), communicator, rescue crew, line tendors and crowd control and then go....go...go.

I was picked as a rescuor along with Ridge. We arrived on scene and I suited up. I was to be back up to Ridge if anything happened or there was possibly another victim! Too funny were the other fire fighters walking around playing drunks, fishermen, family of the victim and passerbyers that wanted to help. Our rescue went off without a hitch and we all passed with flying colors! So, now I am officially an Ice Resucue Specialist! Patch picture to follow soon...


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Last night I learned how to drive the engines. Everyone that can, has to be knowledgable when it comes to the engines and how they work, and how to drive them. It was awesome driving around town in Engine 2 with Aaron in the passangers seat giving helpful instructions. In the future I may actually have to drive on a real call, but for now...I'm happy just to get the practice.

Off to class...