Just joined the local Volunteer Fire Department
 

So I've been going to fire calls with my father since I was little and have always wanted to become a volunteer. My wife and I just moved and are planning on staying in this current apartment until we can afford to buy/build a house (atleast acouple of years down the road). So I decided that it was time to join up. It just so happens that our current landlord is the local VFD cheif.

Last night was my first inter-departmental training with the SCBA (self-contained breathing aparatus). We did the training at a maze facility with a 3 level 4'x4' maze with several different levels obstructions and obstacles. Man was that a blast. I've never had so much fun before in my life. We didn't turn the smoke generators on, but the place was pitch black so it would have only added to the effects.

Training started at 6:30pm last night and 5 hours later (4 bottles - for the air pack) and I had made 4 runs (with a partner) through the maze with the course changing each time. By the end of the 3rd run I have found out that I have excersize induced asthma and had to take a puff off of one of the guys inhalers (who also has exersize induced asthma) and all was well. Gonna have to get that looked at by the doc sometime this week.

I start my Firefighter 1 training tomorrow night. A full 78 hours of class time later (end of April) I'll be a full federally certified interior combat firefighter! WOOHOO!!! I can't wait!

This is going to be one of the best and most rewarding things I think that I have ever done before. I have always been into helping others and now I can help them in their greatest time of need (if that need arrises).

Just had to share with all of you!

that does sound like fun, but them real fires wont even be close im sure ;)

congrats to ur good soul

at least u got a fast car to get down to the apt...

can you get the police flashers now??

Cool! Another FireFighter in the club!! (Not me! Being an MP for over 10 years was plenty!)

Good luck and be safe!

Oh I know that a real fire won't be close! I really can't wait though (if you couldn't tell).

True the car is fast, but I live about a half mile from the department in town. Can't really drive too fast on the side streets...

I will be getting an emergency vehicle light for both the b'ville and my truck to warn others when I'm going to a call. It's a must have when responding.

that will be sweet...you need to get pics of that

Congratulations. Your volunteer work is commendable.

I'll probably get these for both. I think that fire emergecy vehicles are blue, but I'm not sure.
Condor Windshield Light

oh i was thinking of the flashers that use your stock bulbs...

They've got those too, I could possibly do that too, but I worry about burning out bulbs.

Here are the head/tail light flasher units:
Head & Tail Light Flashers

I tip my hat to you sir. and may safty be with you and the department.

on a side note.... oh boy, flashing lights :lol:

I hav ea headlight flasher on my golfcart and i installed one for my uncle those things are wicked sweet. but i am obsessed with light and lights and switches and things :-)

I'd probably only go with a flashing headlight kit along with a windshield strobe. Would be cool to put aux strobes in the headlights so I wouldn't have to use the stock bulbs.

Anyone know where I could find some information about adding strobes to the headlight housings?

PM Firedevil

Hes da Glow DUDE

I think 1993SLE or some similar membername also has lots of glow experience... but all i can remember is Firedevil for sure because his name sounds like light.... :roll:

First off, Congratulations! You'll love it. I did and wish I had the time to do more of it.

Second, which department are you in?

Third, Firemen use Blue lights in NY. You need to get a Blue Light Card from your department to legally run it. As for the law, it states that you can only run 1 light fixture in your vehicle. If you get headlight flashers as well, make sure that you get a controller that will allow you to switch them off seperate of the other light. My roommate last year was from Vermont where they allow Vol. FF to run red lights and any number of them and so his car was decked out. Got introuble several times for High beam flashers, as well as running clear/blue and amber/blue in his dash lights. His system was comprised of 2 Dual strobe dashmeisers mounted on the front and rear dash, a Mini-Edge 6 strobe light bar, Highbeam flashers, alternating backup/tail light flashers and a siren. Worked really well, although he only used the dash ones in NY due to getting introuble.

Finally, Good luck with all your training. I am working on getting myself back into Henrietta Fire District after being away on Coop (internship)

I'm in Byron Volunteer Fire Department (Byron, NY). About 30 minutes west of Rochester.

Yeah, I think I finally decided to go with the windshield mounted blue led strobe I linked to earlier. I really don't have the time to go wiring either of my vehicles up anyway. I thought it would be cool to have the strobes in the corners, but I did think it wouldn't be within regs.

I'll probably only buy one for now and just have it with me in whatever vehicle I'm driving. It shouldn't be a problem getting the blue light card.

If you need some ideas or some advice on what to put in your car, let me know. I used to install for the kent sheriff dept. I have some ideas, but yea, let me know. I have some in my B-ville for MP when Im on base, but you wont see them unless I want you to. :wink: :evil: or getting pulled over.