Fire

**213th** · 01-28-06, 09:18 PM

I just ran a fire call today. It was a bit sad, I got there in the engine right behind the base fire truck, both of us had 2,000 gallons on board. Tri-Valley got there, with 2,000 gallons, but alas, it is -45 degrees outside, and every single pump was frozen solid. One engine got it running, but 2,000 gallons on a fully involved structure fire isn't much. We broke out the portable tank, and started dumping the water out of the chute in back, which fortuantly wasn't frozen at all, but by then the house was gone, we tried to save the garage, but it burnt to the ground to.

And then the medic thought that my face was frostbitten, and sent me back to base. Unfortunatly, the physicians assistant made the proper notifications that I was admitted, so now my whole unit thinks I got frostbitten. Well, I didn't, according to the PA, but knowing how back office works I'll get an ass chewing for getting frostbitten, even though that wasn't the case. *shrugs*

**chris2001** · 01-28-06, 09:23 PM

Thats just how it works sometimes. Are you on a volunteer department or is this your fill time job?

**213th** · 01-28-06, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by chris2001

Thats just how it works sometimes. Are you on a volunteer department or is this your fill time job?

I volunteer.

**chris2001** · 01-28-06, 09:35 PM

Ok, well just curious I mean most firehouses that I know of store the trucks inside so that they stay warm.

**213th** · 01-28-06, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by chris2001

Ok, well just curious I mean most firehouses that I know of store the trucks inside so that they stay warm.

we do. But a 20 minute drive in -45 degrees freezes the water in the pump. The main tank didn't freeze, thats why were able to open the chute in the rear, the mass dump chute, and pour it into a portable tank, which incidently is a frozen chunk of ice...