A Professional Athlete...Not Quite:)

PAF&R Station 80 - Aerial view show track possibilities...

SHIFT 33...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service... 

Dude, I love my job! They actually pay me to workout:) Then again, if I had become a baseball player they would have done the same, but...we know what happened with that. Being here at Station 80 has had several benefits, one is having workout opportunities that many stations do not. As you can see from the Aerial View picture above we have amazing track options. Sometimes I'm out running myself, other times there are a couple of us or at times up to six. Though I never personally ran the 'Hood to Coast' in August, I would almost always train with the guys who would make up our teams. Half the fun of our track is our 'cool down' time when there is plenty of conversation, stories, along with maybe a lie or two.

Old dude needs to keep up with the young pups...

And then we have this PT room to die for, that even has a view of Mt. Hood. We definitely have no excuse to not stay in shape. Though not every firefighter takes advantage of our PT possibilities, this old dude knows that in order to keep pace with the young it's a necessity. I'll write a bit how that is going for me in future posts.

Yes Vern, that's a cool PT room

Though Fire Departments have always had some form of Physical Ability Test it wasn't standardized until more recently. Many departments now have what is called a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test). This is a pass/fail test that takes the candidate through an eight event course wearing a 50 pound weight vest (75 pounds total for the stairclimb event) and has to be completed within a 10:20 time. I thought you might enjoy watching a short video that gives a demonstration of the CPAT. The journalist in this video, Rachel Thomas, does a great job just completing it. Most departments will have training sessions leading up to the actual CPAT to assist in completing the course in the required time, which is not an easy task.

Well, there you have it. Not quite a professional athlete, but..."I get paid to workout". How cool is that?

Identity…I'm Sorry Sir, You'll Have To Leave Your Face (faith) At The Door

SHIFT 34...ReFlections of a 32 year Firefighter Career...

 It is often said that two things you don’t talk about at work are politics and religion. “Religion is incredibly personal and even more polarizing than politics, so keep it to yourself.” Or, “You shouldn't discuss your religious beliefs or your thoughts about other religious beliefs at work. Religion is a very personal issue and people are very sensitive about it. They don't want to hear that you disagree with their religious beliefs or that you believe your religion is the one in which everyone should believe.” I’m sorry I simply believe this advice to be hogwash. Many hold to this opinion because “religion” is just a fragment of who they are. They have work, they have family, vacation, finances, etc, etc…and they have “religion”.

 This ‘religion’ thing really becomes a hangup for some. Likely because there are those (on both sides) that get a bit to excited about it.

Maybe I can explain my philosophy using a ‘firefighter’ analogy. A firefighter is what my vocational identity is, but there are several pieces that come into play to shape that identity. In my job I must know fire science, building construction, hydraulics, operating a fire pump, extinguishing a fire, how to recognize and control a dangerous situation, medically…especially as a paramedic…how to care for patients, medications and algorithms. Then the firefighter is to keep his or herself physically fit, look sharp, provide tours of the fire house and trucks, and educate the public. The firefighter is constantly involved in continuing education in all the above and at all times maintaining what we call response readiness, responding at a moment’s notice…day or night. Oh, and let’s not forget, swab a floor, cook a meal, and clean house. But wait a minute…I’m a firefighter. Yes, but this is what a firefighter is all about. This is his identity.

In the same way…my life identity…is as a follower of Jesus. Being a firefighter is just one of many pieces of this particular identity. This life in Christ does not stop depending where I am, who I’m with or what I’m doing. It is…who I am! It's what I'm about. This identity is shaped in much the same way as a firefighter. There’s much to know, there’s always continuing education, there’s response readiness, there’s maintaining fitness, there’s educating those around me and being educated by them. All along…this must be accomplished with the character of Christ. More than anything, that means GRACE!

'Response readiness' is required

So…because this is who I am, you can’t ask me to keep ‘it’ to myself, or “not discuss my beliefs”. That approach says, tell me about your weekend, your vacation, your kids’ baseball game, but never talk to me about who you are. But...this is who I am. Sure…I must proceed with amazing grace, with respect. And hopefully I can live out to a great extend St. Francis of Assisi’s quote: “Preach Christ always, and if necessary use words”. His saying states ‘live out the character of Christ daily’. An ‘in your face’ attitude is not required. Rather I hope that my words might proceed only after the character and only then when appropriate. At the same time I must be equally respecting to another. And in this mutual respect we have dialogue.

My ‘identity’ in Christ was there before my career of ‘being a firefighter’ and I intend for it to be there long after my career. Because of this we’ve often had bible studies at the ole PAF&R. These studies, discussions and fellowship began with Duane, Byron and myself and continue to this very day. My hope is that when I’ve driven away from the station for the very last time that the brothers here will continue in their ‘identity’ in Christ in such a way that lives will be left changed by how they live and by what they say.

Trade Time, Kelly Days and Call Shifts

SHIFT 35...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 year career in the Fire Service...

 For work schedules, there’s not many better than that of the Firefighter. Of course if I had the opportunity to become a baseball player…yeh, we know how that turned out. Anyway, our schedule allows us to be at the kid’s school when other dad’s are at work, or able to beat the crowds for the day hike, the day on the river in your kayak or the casual lunch with the wife. Due to the schedule many firefighters will take on another job, some are almost full-time with that job as well. Yet with these benefits there are also draw backs. There are no such things as ‘holidays’. I’ve easily worked Christmas 14 times, also Thanksgivings, Fourth of July and other holidays. And trying to have a ‘regular’ particular day scheduled is tough…for example to do something that is always on Monday. With my schedule I’m always working at least every third Monday. 

...Example of a years Calendar...

All employees have access to time off through vacation or sick days. Firefighters as well, but we also have Trade Time shifts or Kelly Days. A ‘trade time’ is just what it sounds. For example today is likely my last trade shift that I’ll work, as today I work for Dave. I’m not getting paid today, Dave is. The cool thing is…Dave owes me. I have a shift on the books in which Dave will have to pay be back upon my request. Though many firefighters work their trades this way, I will typically know in advance what day I’d like off. The ‘Kelly Day’ on the other hand is a day when your shift is working, but you’re off. Kelly Days originated in order to off-set FLSA overtime. As with your other ‘normal’ shifts off, your K-Days are set for the entire year. 

Then there are ‘Call Shifts’, which are overtime shifts that you work for fellow firefighters who are off for vacation, sick or other leave. The difference between a ‘call shift’ and the typical 40 hour overtime is that you’re working an entire 24 hour shift. That means a 48 hour shift and sometimes a 72 and even the occasional 96…ouch! There are few who truly understand our schedule less our spouse, who at times don’t appreciate our schedule because once more...they are at a function without us.

Bottom line…it’s a job like any other…that is having pros and cons. Most of us deal with the cons because we typically appreciate the work and the shifts.

See you next shift…oh that’ll be tomorrow…just another double!

 

Probation, Academy and Rescue Boat 86

SHIFT 36...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service...

Fire Departments have typically had a One Year Probation which includes a two to three month Fire Academy. The academy includes several classroom assignments within IFSTA (International Fire Service Training Association) manuals, physical training and several drills or evolutions with hose, tools, vehicles and what we're all there for...fires baby!

The Original Rescue Boat 86

Even before my probationary year had concluded I was able to begin training within the Rescue Boat program. Rescue-Boat 86 (now RB80) had yet to be placed into service at this time as the first members were continuing their own training. PDX had decided to add this program to the Fire Department as a result of Air Florida Flight 90, which had crashed 4 years earlier into the Potomac. Our primary mission is essentially to provide a quick response in order to deploy floatation equipment for potential survivors of an aircraft crash. Though this is our primary response, we also respond to jumpers (suicide attempts off the bridges), river medical calls and boat in distress emergencies. More recently, with the addition of new RB80 that has a small Fire Pump, they respond to fires, providing primarily a protection of exposures.

RB86 Original Members...Ken, Vern, Duane, myself, Wally, Bruce and Byron

Though I've been part of several interesting calls over the years on the Rescue Boat, the most in-famous would have to be early in my training along with Byron Gregory. Byron was showing me some of the islands to the east of Government Island with the plan to stop at Washougal, Washington. We'll...we never made it. One of the most difficult radio transmissions that I've ever made was on that day. You see...as we were heading east, up the river and to the south side...thankfully with Byron at the helm...though I'm sure he wasn't to thankful at the time...Byron said that not one, but both of the depth finders appear to be having problems. One of the depth finders had been very inconsistent for quite some time, but to have both of them not operate correctly...this seemed odd. So I thought, "it's pretty easy to confirm this"...I walked to the stern of the boat and took a look for myself. "Hey Byron, huh...we are in one foot of water!". It had only been a few seconds of time that had elapsed, but I think if Byron would have kept the boat at the same speed we may have been able to get to deeper water. Unfortunately Byron thought that he better give it a bit more throttle. Now in his defense, I likely would have done the same. But, did I say that I wasn't at the helm? Oh, and did I say that I am very thankful for that? Anyway, Byron did hit the throttle and the boat did sink 'big time' into the sand of the Sandy River. Sand...Sandy River...huh??? Real bummer as I called dispatch and requested that they send the Multnomah River Patrol to our location. And no, I did not state what our need happen to be. Well, we did get off that sand bar that day and I had fun walking on the water around to the bow of the boat to connect the line from the County boat onto our hitch. Of course this is one story that has weather the years around the Fire House. And I enjoy retelling it every time. Of course I probably never mention the FACT that I was not at the helm.

See you next shift...

PDX...my last stop

SHIFT 37...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service...

Portland Airport Fire and Rescue (PAF&R) - 2012

PAF&R 1960'S

 So today's shift I turn the final corner of my fire service career to the beginnings with the Port of Portland Fire Department, now commonly known as Portland Airport Fire & Rescue (PAF&R). When I left Elmendorf in 1982 I did not think that I would return to the fire service. Karen and I returned to school for two years at Canyonview Bible Seminary. During, and then after school I would work for Silver Falls State Park and then the US Post Office out of Salem. It was shortly after graduating that we decided that I would begin applying to return to the fire service. It was after testing at approximately ten departments and receiving offers from two, that I elected the Port of Portland. This is a decision that I have never regretted. Yes, it would have been nice to have more 'city' type response and calls. That aside, it has been a great ride, with a uniqueness all its own and is quickly approaching 27 years. Wow, has it been that long?

PAF&R 1971

The station at the top of this blog is where we have resided since 1997. The picture to the left shows both the original station and just below it (the one under construction), would become our house from 1972 until 1997. They both sat between the runways, which created a bit of a location headache, but we made it work.

Today I've added the song 'Smile' by Kutless. A smile does say it all. I know that I was smiling the day that I received the phone call offering me a job as a firefighter with the Port of Portland. And yes, I've smiled many times since. 

Continue to join me if you wish as I journey these final 37 shifts focusing primarily around my career here at PDX, which sits adjacent to the mighty Columbia River. Until next shift...

ARFF Vehicle - Fire 83 in 1978

Alaska, Yes the 'Last Frontier'

SHIFT 38...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service...

Dave Dodson as we Backpacked Elmendorf

 Like the beginnings in Southern Oregon, Alaska naturally was not short on beauty and amazing outdoor experiences. I will likely write about shift work by itself in a future post, but for sure, one cool aspect of a firefighter's schedule is having many 'weekday' opportunities to escape and enjoy whatever, without the weekend crowd. Such was the case many times in Alaska. Just on Elmendorf alone we were privilege to over 80,000 acres of area to explore. To the right is a picture of Dave as we backpacked into the backwoods of the Base.

Rick in the Chugach Mountains

Travels would likewise take us to explore Mt. Denali, the Kenai Peninsula, Independence Mine and several Glaciers. One such venture was into the Chugach Mountain territory pictured to the side. What a beautiful sunny day it was, taking the opportunity to make our way back down the mountain sliding on our butts. And another trip is my infamous Bodenburg Butte climb where I proposed to Miss Karen Pace. And...she said...YES:)

Rick & Karen on Bodenburg Butte

Alaska...though now such a very faint memory, still many good memories were made as a career was confirmed, a wife and a family would join in the adventure, and several opportunities were realized as we would reach into the land that is often called America's 'Last Frontier'. Thank you Alaska! Thank you Elmendorf and the men that traveled with me during those years. Men including Dave above, Mike Harte, whom I've mentioned before, JB and Duane Foy are just a few who made these early years some of the greatest.

 So another shift comes to an end. Halloween is tomorrow so I leave you with this creation of a pumpkin with the EMS 'Star of Life'. And another song...'God of Wonders', one of my favorites sung by perhaps my all-time favorite voice. Enjoy:)

Boiler house, Tailboard and the Frozen Pump

SHIFT 39...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service

"It's good to be alive, feel the wind in my face, see the blue in the sky. Days like this I realize what a gift is...And it's good to be alive" Geoff Moore

The more I thought of last shifts post, I thought that I would try to add a song to each shift. Since music has been so central to my life, why not?

Today's Post I'll continue with my service time at Elmendorf Fire Dept. The first of three thoughts for this post include a fire that we had in the old Boiler House. At the time of this fire we were not aware that the plan was to remove the boilers and then disassemble this building. Holding to our training proved to provide an unknown safety net. I mean...we entered into this heavily smoke filled commercial building using a left hand sweep, that is holding to the walls on our left. Though we had been told that there was no one in the building, still we would extend our bodies out in attempt to located any victims. Eventually, entering into the third room we were able to locate the fire. After it was extinguished we exited being pumped at the opportunity to fight fire. During 'mop-up' some of our command staff entered to determine the damage done and cause of the fire. It was at this time that they discovered that the boilers had been removed leaving at least a couple 20' x 20' openings into the floor that extended at least twenty feet below. To think, any one of us could have easily stepped into one of these holes, perhaps for our last step. This one call would prove to be a defining object lesson that set the tone for my career, that says 'follow your training and enhance the probability to return home'. The objective that fire fighters want more than any other...to all sit down at the next briefing...to sit together at the next meal.

 

 The second thought is regarding riding 'tailboard'. What an experience this proved to be. Though this practice has been in disfavor since the 80's, it was common during my early years. On the nice summers days, it felt like the chorus of the song I posted today. But when the weather turned, ouch! We had a tarp that would break the wind for us, but still when it was snowing, sometimes blizzard like, and the temps near zero...just holding onto the bar and tying-in made you wish you were back in the warm fire house.

Lastly, the weather in Alaska (as would be in any of the northern states) also made for some interesting and testing times when having to use your pumper. I remember times attempting to open the bail of the nozzle only to find that we had no water due to a frozen pump. What a totally helpless feeling.

Until the next shift...