Blazing through
W By CHARLES LEFEBVRE
hen people think about firefighters springing into action, they have the image of the
firefighter bouncing into his boots, throwing on his coat and helmet, and jumping into, or onto, the fire truck, speeding towards the blaze. This image has changed tremendously over the years, as technology and training have improved to ensure firefighters are best prepared and equipped for any situation.
Mike Kowalski, a seven-year member of the Medicine Hat Fire Department, can tell you about the amount of training he received in the academy prior to becoming a full-fledged member.
“It was very interesting, there was a lot to learn,” he said, listing subjects such as fire behaviour, building construction classes and how to operate ladders.
On the contrary, Fire Chief Brian Stauth and Platoon Chief Al Lannon, who have been firefighters for 26 and 36 years respectively, said their training when they started was limited.
“The younger kids have to know way more than I had to when I came in,” said Lannon.
Congratulates
advances in technology
“When Al started, you would’ve
been hired, brought in and trained, and even at that point, there was a very limited amount of training provided,” said Stauth. “Now, our recruits are hired with their firefighter certification, and the training was far more advanced than it was 30 years ago.”
For firefighters the gear has changed a lot in 30 years, and is much different from when Stauth and Lannon joined.
“We wore long canvas coats, roll- up rubber boots and a plastic fire helmet, similar to what we use today, just with a little less technology,” said Stauth. “Today we have custom- made bunker gear for all of our firefighters and fire officers, which is Kevlar reinforced. It’s a big step up in thermal protection from what our firefighters used to wear.”
Lannon can remember when he started as a firefighter, he wore the gear of a firefighter who had been retired for a couple of years until he got brand new gear, and not receiving his work boots until his probationary period was over.
“It was very minimal when I started,” he said.
The outfit a firefighter wears can withstand high temperatures, and Stauth says now they can show the ambient temperature a firefighter
403-529-2777
www.rodeoford.com OUR COMMUNITIES ■ OUR REGION ■ OUR PEOPLE | 83 Justin Taupert
SALESMAN OF THE YEAR 2012
Rodeo wishes Leo continued success and best of luck in 2013.
41136663•03/26/13
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