The jumper from a tall city building that needed to get talked down off the ledge, the smoldering garment tarred factory roof with burning supports, the wicked firefighter close calls as the fire trucks heads down a busy city street, gunfire from a gang at an accident scene are just a few incidents that are classified as close calls. The job of a firefighter is tough enough with putting out fires but add other life threatening elements of just what goes on out there in the streets and the chances for a firefighter close call intensifies.
When you thought about how to become a firefighter did you consider all the other elements that could make the life of a firefighter even more difficult?
You never want to hear the words MAYDAY come over the radio, ever.
Firefighter games and simulations help train volunteer firefighters but also provide very real simulated insights into the world of firefighting and how the smallest issue can make the difference between living and becoming a casualty.
Firefighter close calls among Wildland Firefighters are a near certainty for this special group of heroes. The bravest of these Drip Torch firefighters know more about close calls than anyone in the fire service.
The Hollywood Film “Only the Brave” is an insightful look at the firefighter close calls and reality of being in the field. Having to use drip torches to clear brush near them as if creating a defensive perimeter was the only tactic left as the fire spread and ran them down. This was as close as it gets.
We should always consider only the finest firefighter gifts when we honor our men and women of the fire services and our first responders.
