Job Talk: July's Story

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Submitted by Retired FD Captain

Retired as a Training Director after 30 years of service.

I was a newly appointed firefighter in 1975 and assigned to an engine co. When I reported for my first night shift my lieutenant told me to grab my gear and bedding and report to a station across town to fill in for a call out. I introduced myself to these men and settled in.

At 11 pm a still alarm came over the station; vocal alarm for a reported fire in a neighboring district. We arrived before the first due engine and observed a 1 1/2 story single family home showing flames blowing out the front of the building when a person in a panic told us that his Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law were still inside.

A cop on the front porch pointed to the door and said that a victim was in the kitchen. I entered the building and was immediately greeted by intense heat and began to crawl inward. I somehow crawled under the kitchen table and my hand landed on the victim. I was joined by my officer and dragged the victim out. A Captain then ordered me to climb a ladder to the second floor bedroom window to remove a bed ridden woman who was calling for help. I handed her to the Captain on the ladder, made a quick sweep of an adjoining room and made my way to the ladder. I began to feel the effects of smoke inhalation and was assisted to the rescue for O2. My first house fire of my career will never be forgotten.