I just got called out on a fire...

[Patrick McGuffin]

.. so I will be gone for a while. As many of you know, and many more dont, I am a woodland fire fighter and I just got called out to stage for a fire in southern oregon/northern california. If I am not on the forum much that is why.....

[Justin Stratton]

.. so I will be gone for a while. As many of you know, and many more dont, I am a woodland fire fighter and I just got called out to stage for a fire in southern oregon/northern california. If I am not on the forum much that is why.....

good luck to you my friend. stay safe out there!

[Patrick McGuffin]

Thanks Justin..... I have until 3:30 before I leave so I need to get packing.

[Justin Stratton]

Thanks Justin..... I have until 3:30 before I leave so I need to get packing.

i couldn't help but not thank you and to wish you prayers of a safe stay out there for risking your life to save others and their properties :YR:

[Scott Gonzalez]

Take care man

[Scott Porter]

I have heard from some people that wildland firefighters are bascially just "hardcore gardeners".

I always thought they were badasses and did some hard work. Does anyone know more about exactly what they do?

Good luck Patrick and have fun. Stay safe above all.

[Patrick McGuffin]

To some extent yeah, we have to go and create fire breaks to contain the fire and also go behind it and get rid of any remaning fire and fuel and stuff, we also have to help mop up after the fire is dead and put it out completely. Nothing to serious but alot of times we are really close to the fire, not to mention have up to a 110 hour work week, with lots of hiking in heavy gear .. BLEH!

[Patrick McGuffin]

Ususaly out fire breaks consist of digging trenches or buring out all the fuel in the area so the fire cant spread.

[davebeers]

good luck brother! Keep water on you at all times and drink till your bloated. The bigger you get the easier it is to dehydrate and overheat.
Oh, and enjoy all that overtime!!!

[Patrick McGuffin]

Thanks Dave! Yeah I think I will probably drike at least 2-3 gallons a day. I like water.

[kara]

wow. be safe out there. i second dave on the water!!

[davebeers]

i just overheated today on a vehicle extrication evolution. Drank 8 glasses of water before we went out there and still went down about an hour into the class. Being muscular and being in confining gear does not mix.
Pat, you'll also find that your air will not last as long as long as the small, weak guys' air will. I go through a 30 minute bottle in 20minutes

[chrisklavette]

i just overheated today on a vehicle extrication evolution. Drank 8 glasses of water before we went out there and still went down about an hour into the class. Being muscular and being in confining gear does not mix.
Pat, you'll also find that your air will not last as long as long as the small, weak guys' air will. I go through a 30 minute bottle in 20minutes
But...being well conditioned (as I'm sure you are) will help you a great deal. We just got back from a bad a$$ fire at a hospital (pseudo clinic due to where we are). The guys who fell out were the guys who just sit around and don't do crap all day.

[Rus Mandery]

Hey Pat, you're a wildland firefighter! Also take some tobasco with you, on about your third day you won't be able to taste anything, and a healthy dose of tobasco makes the mystery meat sandwhiches taste allright. Good Luck! Stay safe, and remember; if a girl looks good in her gear on the fireline, she is a certified hottie! :BL:

[Mike Frost]

Good Luck, stay safe!!!

[Patrick McGuffin]

Thanks everyone. I have to go now.

[Jamie McEwan]

Good luck, bud.