Only You Can Prevent...uh...Plane Fires?

Last week I got the opportunity to go to our Airport Rescue Fire Fighter Training.
 I got to suit up in full fire fighter gear and pull a hose to put out a fire. The pants were a little baggy, the sleeves a little long, the gloves a little big, the boots a little roomy...but I got it all on. The fire suits are quite restricting; the gear is heavy and it's difficult to see everything. The masks only have a viewing window, and the respirator part sticks out and gets in the way of looking left, right, up, and down. It's hard to see your feet! Plus it's really really hot! It was a mild day, probably about 67 degrees but once you put all those clothes on it feels like 110 degrees out there.
Every time you breathe it sounds like darth vader, do-tseu du-tseu. Then when you put the respirator part into the mask and start breathing from the oxygen tank there is a slight pause and then a rush of air, it's a strange feeling waiting for that rush of air.

ME!

I'm on the right, waiting for my back up

Liquid propane is being shot out of nozzles and then ignited

That's me in the front

We're putting it out!

Almost out! The extra guy on the left is a real fire fighter there to help us out.

I'm second on the hose on the left side now.

The fire will sometimes flame back up and nip at your feet. So that second hose and crew are there for backup to make sure the lead fire fighters are safe. When I was on the front of the three person hose, I kept feeling the hose spray past my ankles which meant I was probably stepping in the fire and didn't even know it. Like I mentioned before, it is not easy to see your feet so good thing we had backup.

It's snowing in September! Jk, the plane is being sprayed by the ARFF truck

See how the right wing is angled down at the ground? That's actually a walkway up into the aircraft. Some of the previous volunteers for this training were able to go inside the plane and fight the fire there, but we didn't have enough time or people to do that. The hoses are really heavy though so I'm kinda glad I didn't have to drag them up that slope into the burning plane. My arms were sore for two days after this; a good bicep workout. It was definitely a fun eye opening experience, I'm glad I did it!

Remember and appreciate your sweaty hard working firefighters!

If you want to know more about SLC ARFF, they are on facebook: HERE. There are actually some pretty neat videos on there with real fire fighters from around the country who come to this fire pit to train. I can't imagine being in that suit on a hot day for hours and hours. Fire fighters perform a difficult but rewarding job, hats off to 'em!

Oh and a thanks to James for providing the pictures.