I went up to the Riverside County Fire Explorer Academy tonight to do a little volunteer work and then watch the activities. Eric was smiling and he looked like he was enjoying the day’s activities. He is pictured in front of the vehicle fire prop. Remember, that most of my pictures can be clicked on to make them bigger,
Eric with the burning car prop behind him
A little earlier in the evening you could actually see the vehicle and the Fire Explorers working on putting the vehicle fire out.
Fire Explorers and the burning car
I was told that they spent some of the day jumping out of buildings. They also searched for people in burning buildings. A good example of who they searched for is below. They would find the dummy and then carry it to safety.
This dummy has been saved several times
Of course for the activities, they wear their turnouts and all the other gear. Eric is getting all geared up for the evening exercises.
Eric getting ready for more flames
Another one of the trainings had them work their way towards a burning prop. They had to get close enough to turn a valve on the front of the prop to simulate turning off a propane tank or some other liquid or gas valve. The heat could be felt a ways away from the flames.
I would also add that this is the fourth full day of getting up at 5:30, learning all day which includes wearing turnouts in 90 degree weather and going to bed at 10:00. They are doing great, but I am sure they are getting tired. To stay healthy in the heat, you must drink, drink and drink more water and Gatorade.
The motto that we choose was at Fire Academy was “Find it hot leave it wet.” If the fires hot you should wet it to cool it down. Unfortunately, the upper management did not think that would be an appropriate tag line on our t-shirts next year.