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ENID, OK - On the morning of Friday, August 4, 2017 I had the honor of being a part of firefighter training with the Enid Fire Department. I was literally thrown into the fire wearing a personal protective ensemble (PPE) and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). It was an experience that I can only describe as being tougher than I thought and eye opening. At no time during the training did I ever feel unsafe. I completely trusted my equipment and the firefighters around me which was the entire point of the exercise.
My training exercise came at the end of the initial two-week orientation period where a rookie firefighter learns basic firefighting skills. Ryan Felder, EFD's newest probationary firefighter, was scheduled for the live burn training that morning. Fire Marshall Ken Helms asked me if I wanted to participate in the training and I jumped at the chance.
The day before the live burn I was suited up with a set of fire protective gear. My ensemble included a pair of pants, boots, suspenders, coat, gloves, face mask, breathing mask and helmet. It was recommended that I wear all cotton clothing underneath so as not to risk the material becoming overheated. I was set to meet the fire crews behind Autry Tech the next morning.
The next morning, after being briefed on the live burn structure and the safety procedures, I suited up and was ready to go. I entered the fire with rookie Ryan Felder leading the way, Captain Todd Hayes instructing as we went and firefighter Daniel Moyer backing us up.
We entered the building three times. The first time we encountered a small fire that had just been set, the second entry was for a fire that was raging and already very hot and the third entry was to an upstairs fire that had us turning corners and climbing stairs.
I quickly learned that my gear kept me completely safe and protected from the intense heat. I also observed that the temps near the ceiling were very hot reaching somewhere near 600-800 degrees while the temps closer to the floor were near 100-300 degrees. This is one reason you should crawl out of a fire. We entered the bottom floor fires on our knees which was not at all comfortable wearing heavy gear and holding a hose filled with high pressure water.
The hardest part for me was the complete loss of visibility once they put water on the fire. The smoke was thick and intense dropping visibility to zero. I learned that the firefighters open windows or doors on two ends of the building and use the high pressure water to blow the smoke out of the building. Using this technique the smoke would clear very quickly. Another thing that surprised me was that the floor quickly filled with water, hot water, that I could feel on my knees.
Fire Marshall Helms explained to me that one of the most significant pieces of equipment for firefighters in the last ten years are the thermal imaging cameras. These special cameras allow firefighters to see hot and cool spots indicating the live fire, bodies and cool places to stay safe. I took one in with me on my second entry which really allowed me to see where the fire was and where my fellow firefighters were.
The fire protective ensemble that these firefighters wear into a live burn or real fire weighs around 50 lbs but with equipment/tools can add an additional 20 to 40 lbs. Wearing the fire protective ensemble is encapsulating and insulating and can elevate core temperatures to levels exceeding 102.2°F (39°C).
I now have so much more respect for what firefighters do to keep us safe. They not only enter buildings most people run from, but they are met with very extreme conditions that are unpredictable and unknown. If I can help firefighters in any way it would be to tell residents to keep a clean, uncluttered house and never store flammable or combustible materials inside.
Thanks to Training Officer Justin McAlister, Chief Joe Jackson and all of the crews that helped in the training and made me feel like a part of the team and special thanks to Fire Marshal Ken Helms for the invitation and for taking great photos.
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We were glad to have you there.