Memorial Day - God Bless America and our Hero's

 Memorial Day, the day that we, as Americans, honor and remember our country's fallen hero's.

Beyond the backyard cookouts, a long weekend, the camping trips, vacations to the beach, lake or where ever  on this day we cannot forget  the men and women of our country's military that have made the supreme sacrifice.  We cannot forget the families of theses hero's and the pain and suffering that they have experienced.
Let us not forget our veterans that have given service to this county's military, the men and women that made that commitment to the defense of America.  Some returning physically scarred, some carrying the burden of mental scars inflicted from the stresses of combat.  Take the time to thank these veterans for there service, not just today, but any day.
Everyday in America, young men and women are enlisting in America's military, raising their right hand and making that commitment to service.  Take a moment of your time to thank them.

    Have a fun and safe Memorial Day
-  Big Mike

 God Bless America

Friday, Friday, Friday! Haz Mat and a Body Count(not the band)

Friday was the third day of regional Haz Mat training for the Brothers of Salem and Roanoke City, and what a day it was.
Captain Wines of Iron Firemen had posted from earlier in the week about the fun and festivities at the Regional Haz Mat Glow Worm Hootenanny - Day 1.
While Captain Wines, The Buckaroo, and  family were doing some work around the farm, the Brothers of Salem B-Shift and Roanoke City A-Shift got together to hone their Glow Worm skills, have a few laughs and test the limits of equipment and personal comfort.

I dare say that  the person that put the "One Size Fits All" label on the Tyvek coveralls that are used never met Charlie Adkins.  A wee lad, just 6'10", you should see him in a leprechaun costume.

When the structural integrity of the suit failed, the sound was described as a shotgun going off.  No medics, farm animal or small children were harmed during the event.

While the Brothers were getting their Haz Mat on, Captain Wines, The Buckaroo, and  family were working in one of the barns, and had a run it with a few of the occupants.  A bystander said all they heard was a yell, some gun shots, and then it was over.  After the incident was over, a body count of three.

A good day of Haz Mat training, fellowship, and a lot of good laughs.  It's always a good thing when the different localities in the Roanoke Valley can get together and train.

Be sure to check out Iron Firemem  for more pictures of ill fitting Haz Mat garments and such.
Stay safe, train hard. train often!

Listen up!

One more video to share! Be safe, train hard, train often!

Sunday morning - Some Marvin, and some Seattle FD Nozzle Forward

Saw this video on youtube  and had to share it with everybody.  A good demonstration of advancing a 2.5" line with a smooth bore nozzle.

Rescue Challenge 2011 - Day 4 May 05, 2011

After an evening of one helluva fish fry and some relaxation, the Division 6 team was ready for the final day of Rescue Challenge 2011.  The team drove to Fort Lee for the heavy lifting drill, and the other heavy lifting and moving obstacle course.  The teams that participated in Rescue Challenge 2011 had a rare opportunity to perform a heavy lift on a M1A1 Abrams tank. 69 Tons, BABY!! There are people that can say that they have had that opportunity, but can they say that the tank was on it's top and they had to remove two victims from under the turret?

       

                        

    

After the lift was completed, the event facilitators had some very positive comments and feedback for the Brothers of Division 6.  The representatives from Paratec also had very good comments and feedback.

The second event at Fort Lee proved to be a bit of a challenge, the team had to move a M113A3 Armored Personnel Carrier using manpower and mechanical advantage.

With several grunt, groans, yells, and foul language, the 13 ton tracked box moved forward back and even turned.

When it was all over and the APC came to rest in the ditch, the Brothers called it a day.  After the equipment was packed up and everyone was debriefed it was time to hit the road for home.
 It was an honor and privilege to be part of this group this year.  Everyone left with more knowledge than they came with, and a great sense of accomplishment. 
It was a good time...Time to get ready for the next adventure.
 Stay safe, train hard, train often!

Rescue Challenge 2011 - Day 3 May 4, 2011

Day 3 of Rescue Challenge, the Division 6 team got to play in the cold rain.  They say it builds character, and we definitely have a bunch of those on the team.

The first scenario of the day was at the Henrico County Fire Training Center.  The team had to ascend to a third story window then proceed to the roof to rig for rappels then pick off(rescue) two victims hanging from ropes.  One the victims reached the ground, part of the team that had already ascended and rappelled could move to the next stage.  The next stage was an obstacle course that involved providing the weights of the concrete slabs ad blocks that were to be moved, building a "cart" to move a 1,850 pound block of concrete around, up and over  the course.  The cart was the frame of an old vehicle that needed to be lifted and wheels put on, to get the lug nuts the team had to provide the correct weight of the concrete block.

The rain stopped, the sun came out, and it was on again.  The second scenario of the the day the team traveled to Vulcan Materials quarry  for a school bus over a cliff.  The bus had to be accessed from the top of the quarry, the team was also advised that there were victims trapped underneath the bus and that a lift would need to be made using high pressure airbags.  While part of the team rigged lines for the rappel, other team members gathered equipment, rigged a high point of attachment for the main haul line, and set up mechanical advantage haul system.

 

With victims removed and up the cliff, it was time to go back to the hotel for the Rescue Challenge Fish Fry and CornHole Tournament.  I'm not sure who came up with the name of that game, I really really  think that they could have given it a bit more thought...I'm just saying...

Great food, catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, and shenanigans.  A good time was had by all.

Rescue Challenge 2011 - Day 2 May 03, 2011

The second day of Rescue Challenge, the Division 6 team started off with a trench rescue scenario.
The team was advised that workers had been setting pipe in a 14' area of a trench and there was a collapse of and area of the wall.  One of the workers dove into a pipe for safety and was partially trapped from the waist down, another worker had collapsed in the bottom of the 14' section and another worker was missing.   The missing victim was located underneath one of the sections of pipe, and also had to be removed.

The next scenario was held at the Dominion Power Training Facility.  The team was presented with a parachutist that crashed into a power line tower, and a bystander that had attempted a rescue had was also trapped on the tower.  Both victims had to be lowered to the ground with an attendant.

Another day completed and a job well done by the Brothers of Division 6 Technical Rescue Team.