Takin’ Out the Trash
Faced with a problem? You have two choices…. (Musings for the next generation of decision makers.)
Hushed giggles emanated from the bedroom. Eddie and Max sat, basking in the glory of the massive fort they had just completed. Mom granted them a builders permit complete with full authority to use every cushion in the house, sheets, towels, and — for crowning glory — a 10 foot A-frame ladder as structural support.
Fluffy had just been tethered to the bed rail. Nun too happy about being relegated to “dog-on-a-leash” status, Fluffy made a decisively ferocious guard kitten. Max put the finishing touches on the sign for the door which made it clear: “KIDS ONLY!”
Each scampered into their castle and raised the cardboard drawbridge. A sleepover of epic proportions, Eddie and Max jumped on their sleeping bags and plotted their next improvement. “We need a heater in here” Max proclaimed. As if on cue, Eddie whispered slyly: “look what I found.” He reached into his pocket and slowly extracted a Bic lighter. “No Way!” Max exclaimed as Eddie SSHHHHSHed!! him. “What is a Castle”, Eddie professed, “without a bonfire?” Feverishly, the two began ripping up the remainder of the drawbridge and placing it in a pile in the Great Hall. “Should we light it?” Max hesitated.
Mrs. Jones was folding laundry, thankful for the decrease in ruckus from the boys when she first smelled the smoke. Her first thought was frustration that the neighbors were lighting up their fire-pit. As the smell got stronger though, she noticed the grey haze drifting down the hall. Terrified, she ran to Max’s room and opened the door to find a massive wall of fire in the corner. “Max!” she screamed. Coughing could be heard from under the bed. Mrs. Jones ran into the room, clamped down on two ankles, and dragged the boys from the room. She promptly placed the kids on the grass outside and ran to the neighbor who called 911.
Eric Sandoval scrubbed the cast iron pans at fire-station 2 while the crew joked around the kitchen table. Having just graduated the academy, today was his first day assigned to a live fire engine. During the graduation ceremony two days ago, his training chief offered her word of wisdom to the recruit class:
“Ladies and gentlemen, your job is no different from a trash collector: each trains for a specific task — the sole purpose for their career. Consequently, a trash-man goes to work every morning, he checks out his rig and heads off to do his job. When he turns a corner to find an alleyway filled with mounds of trash, do you think he freaks out? Do you think he rushes, headlong down the alley throwing the trash around randomly? Nope, he proceeds, methodically down the alley, and does his job. Why then, with all of the training you have been provided, with the oath that you are preparing to take, would you pull around a corner to find a house on fire and freak out, not assess the situation and break down? You are now firefighters; take that charge with a calm, confident, approach. For it is the stoic, master of his craft, who will make that save when it is most crucial. You are professionals now. Prove it.”
As the call to 911 comes in and engine 2 is dispatched to the structure fire, Eric, along with his engine crew, have two options as they race to Max’s home.
Option 1: “Dispatch engine 2 on scene of a house on fire! Engine 2 is fast attack!” Adrenaline pumping, the officer screams back to Eric: “get the hose! Hurry up!” The crew barrels past Mrs. Jones who is frantically trying to get their attention to tell them where the fire is. “Stand back Ma’am!” Like a moth to the flame, Engine 2 bowls headlong into a chugging beast of a fire at the front door, oblivious to the flames raging out of a basement window. “It’s a kitchen fire. I know it!” Yells the officer. “Hurry up!” As the team reaches the point above Max’s basement bedroom, the floor gives way….
MAYDAY….MAYDAY….MAYDAY
Option 2: “Fire dispatch engine 2 is on scene, single story, single family residence. We have heavy fire showing from the front with three parties evacuated. Engine 2 will be establishing Castle command performing a 360 of the structure. Start an additional engine and have all units stage two blocks south.”
The Officer dismounts the apparatus and goes directly to Mrs. Jones: “Is there anybody in the house?” “Just Fluffy our kitten” she responds. “Ok thank you Ma’am” as he takes Eric with him and calmly, but quickly circles the structure. “Eric look there” the officer pointing to a basement window with flames gasping for air. “This fire started in the basement. I want you to pull an 1 3/4” line with your partner, quickly knock this fire through the basement window and come back to me. Do not enter the structure without my permission.”
“Dispatch from Castle command, we have a confirmation of all parties evacuated from the structure. 360 reveals a fully involved basement fire with extension to the main floor. Engine 2 crew is performing a transitional attack on the basement window.” He starts making assignments to incoming crews: “Engine 3, you are assigned to be fire attack group supervisor, meet up with engine 2 firefighters and assess the safety of transitioning to the interior of the structure. Truck 3, Split your crew please, once safety for entry is determined, we will need two firefighters to the roof for ventilation and two to perform a primary search.” The Fire is brought under control.
Chaos is manifested in the eye of the beholder. Whether it be a firefighter facing a blazing house, or a pilot who’s engines have flamed out, one has two choices: lose your cool. Take calm, confident, control. The key ingredient to embracing the latter is simple: discipline. Discipline in one’s craft allows one to take pause — a quick, calm, assessment of the problem at hand. Thus insuring subsequent decisive, smart, action.
This is the challenge for the next generation of professionals charged to protect the lives of civilians. The training is there. The purpose is obvious. The challenge will present itself. Will you have the discipline to take a deep breath and make the right decision? Eddie and Max will fill your shoes sooner than you think, what lesson will they invoke when they turn the corner?
About Me
I am a Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutentant, and OEM Coordinator with the City of Aurora, CO. I see the passion of all emergency responders in this industry and seek to cultivate it to take our response to the next level. Join me in this team effort.
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