BUZZ BLOG
THE PART OF YOUR JOB YOU HATE
1-13-17
Hello again Fellow Hazmatters and welcome back to the Buzz Blog. I have to start out by thanking all the members of the HazmatNation. My first blog on the tragedy in Amarillo, TX received over 6000 views as of this writing. I am totally overwhelmed by this number. The most I have ever trained at one time is 40 members in a classroom setting. The power of the internet and social media is a platform to be embraced. The hazmat community needs to grab on tight and get the most value from these platforms. I believe knowledge is power. The power of knowledge is to be shared for the betterment of the (hazmat) community. As the old cartoon saying goes, ‘Knowing is half the Battle’ (that one is for you Bob Salvesen, lol).
I woke up this morning and was ready to put together another blog post before I left for vacation. I had planned to put together a clever and witty post about how I would apply my hazmat skills on my 12 day cruise. Do you think they would mind if I pH’ed the indoor pool? Would the Bacardi factory in San Juan mind if I assisted in some rum making? I had a rough idea of what I wanted to write. Once I got to work, the whole game plan had changed. A horrible tragedy was unfolding in Northeast Baltimore at a dwelling fire. The latest news reports indicate 3 people in critical condition and up to 6 kids reported missing. The latest news coverage on this tragedy can be found at the WBAL TV website here.
You feel horrible for the family, friends and responders to this tragedy unfolding. I was all set for my last day of work with a two week vacation ahead of me. What does this have to do with hazmat? It may have nothing to do with hazmat. I can probably make a safe assumption that we all started out as firefighters before we ever got into hazmat. I know members of the Hazmat Nation that are assigned to suppression or Ems duties as well. Responders who have been in the business long enough know what this day feels like. It feels helpless in that you could do nothing to save the lives you are sworn to protect. All of the training and effort you put into your job comes up empty on this day. Can the first due company and medic to the Amarillo, TX incident relate to this type of tragedy? I would venture to say yes. I would even say that an incident like Amarillo, TX would be even more mind boggling given the mysterious nature of the deaths and injuries. The one that I responded to involved 7 fatals in an East Baltimore row home. I was assigned to Truck 5 on 25th street at the time. I can remember the system shock because a whole family just got wiped out in one fire. Members who have been in the BCFD long enough can remember the tragedy of the Dawson family many years ago. As a rookie at Truck 15, I will never forget current Capt. Phil Gentile of T-3(he was the driver that night) tell the story of how he almost ran over the father in the street because the smoke was so thick. This is the kind of experience you just cannot get in a book. You have to hear the veterans pass the information on to the rookies to get a true understanding. You have probably asked yourself what can I do to prevent a tragedy such as this? Days like this are what increases the resolve of the fire service. The quest for knowledge and training increase because you don’t ever want to see this happen again. We can do nothing to stop an incident like this or Amarillo, TX from ever happening again. What we can do is strive to help members of this community prepare for the next tragedy. Incidents like Amarillo, TX is why I committed to hazmat full time. I saw a need in our department and I felt I could fill it. I had a great spot at one of the busiest ladder companies in the city. I left it behind to try and make a difference. I was not alone in a move like this. Recently, we have had several members leave busy houses and move into special operations. The members take some firehouse abuse however they realize the greater good. Departments need hazmat techs, rope rescue guys and divers. These disciplines require training above and beyond regular firefighting duties. Making a difference is why we joined the service in the first place. On days like this when you can’t make a difference, this is the part of your job you hate………
I wanted to pass on congratulations to fellow Hazmatter Robert Burchett of Singerly FD and Cecil Co. MD Hazmat. His son Tyler just got hired in the BCFD and will make a fine firefighter and hopefully a hazmat guy like his dad. Rob is a cancer survivor and is a credit to his family and his department. Until the first week of February when I return from vacation, everyone stay safe and keep making a difference!!!!
About the Author
Kevin Ryan
Kevin Ryan is a member of the Baltimore City FD Hazmat Operations. He has been involved in hazmat response for over 15 years and a fire service member for 25 years. He is currently the training coordinator for the BCFD Hazmat Team. He can be reached at [email protected]
