Firefighting UK - Fireman's Diary

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Firefighter X Video's
2007-11-21 18:42:00
Good evening everybody. Back to work tomorrow. These days off go far too quickly for my liking. Well, i'm having fun with the kids at the minute. Santa's coming and the goose is getting fat, as they say. The wife is at work till about 2130, so i've... This is only a quick summary of the content. To view the complete content please visit my website at: http://firefightinguk.blogspot.com

LORRY v CAR - AMAZING ESCAPE
2007-11-19 00:47:00
Hello again to everybody around the world. I am in a fine mood this evening. I've just been looking at the stats for our site. The number of visitors that my Firefighting blog is now receiving, has grown beyond my wildest expectations. There are... This is only a quick summary of the content. To view the complete content please visit my website at: http://firefightinguk.blogspot.com
More About: Amazing , Escape

Posh Passes His Assessment + Safety Checks
2007-11-17 10:47:00
Good morning to you all, I've just got home from my first night shift, and my bones are feeling a little weary after another night at the Fire Station. (Give us our beds back!) When i arrived at work last night, the first person i saw was Posh .... This is only a quick summary of the content. To view the complete content please visit my website at: http://firefightinguk.blogspot.com
More About: Safety , Assessment

Firefighting Recruitment Information
2007-11-16 13:17:00
Hello again readers, For the benefit of all of my readers who are wishing to find out more about the UK Fire Service, and Becoming a Firefighter. I am going to publish an in depth article or series of articles, regarding these matters. So here... This is only a quick summary of the content. To view the complete content please visit my website at: http://firefightinguk.blogspot.com
More About: Information , Recruitment , Firefighting

Smoke Alarms - What You Need To Know!
2007-10-30 21:33:00
Everything you wanted to know about Smoke Alarms .The majority of fires occur when you least expect them - At night.They also spread very rapidly, but the real killer is the smoke.Basically, your chances of survival, if you don't have a smoke alarm to wake you up, are zero.This is because smoke suffocates you, and it does it fast. In fact you are far more likely to die, before the flames reach you.Fires happen to even the most careful of people, and buying a smoke alarm could make the difference between life and death, or at the very least a serious injury. The quicker that you call the Fire Service, the less damage will be done to your home, and your possessions, some of which are impossible to replace, like photographs and family mementos.Having a smoke alarm in your home, should be a natural thing that people do, like having a lock on your front door. So if you don't have smoke alarms in your property already, fit them now - before it's too late.Most Fire Brigades up and down t...

First Day Back - Electricity Box Fire
2007-10-29 22:35:00
Firefighting UK Firefighter DiaryGood evening readers,My leave officially ended today! That's right, I've been back to work.Not a bad day really to be honest. Everybody welcomed me back, which was cool and it then it was straight down to business. The bells went whilst we were checking our equipment - 0905."House Fire - Involving electricity box"I hadn't even got my leggings on, when Johnny Codpiece accelerated out of the engine house."Welcome back" i thought, as i finally got dressed and put on my set (B.A). I was riding with Cyril today. I always have a good laugh when Cyril and I are on the back. We seem to be on the same wave length, and have spent many a night shift, talking about old mates and what we used to get up to. I think it's because we had lived a little, before signing up with the Fire Brigade. In other words, we are "street wise". And not everybody necessarily is?Again though, to be honest, i love my watch. The mix is just right, and i wouldn't change it for the...
More About: Electricity , Back , Fire

Firefighter Recruitment Vacancies
2007-10-27 19:38:00
Firefighter XHello again,Firefighter X here. It has come to my attention that three brigades are currently recruiting at the moment. So i thought i had better tell you all immediately. Right then, the three brigades are Hampshire, Cheshire and West Midlands. Below, i have provided links for you all, so you can visit the appropriate page at the relevant site.Just click on your choice:Hampshire Fire ServiceCheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceWest Midlands Fire ServiceRight, I'm back. I hope every body's well and feeling fine. Myself, I'm rather chipper today.I'm just enjoying the last bit of my leave, before i have to go back and become"Thermal Warrior".I've been taking it easy the last few days. Needed a little time to unwind and relax a bit. All i ever do is work. If I'm not putting fires out, I'm working at home on the Internet. I really don't feel like i get 5 minutes to myself anymore. I took my lad to the cinema last night. We went to see "Ratatouille". It's the new film fr...
More About: Recruitment

Firefighter Videos and Subscriber Feed
2007-10-25 12:59:00
Good afternoon everybody and welcome back.Today, i have managed to get my hands on some Firefighter Video's, so i am going to share them with you all. Please take a look below:What did you think of that?This shows the importance of doing something simple like "footing a ladder"Next we have a few firefighters working on the roof of a building. I am showing you this video to highlight the hazards and dangers associated with working on roofs.Next, we have a horrible fall that happened during a rescue from a house fire. Highlighting hazards once more, this time the risks associated with LIVE carry downs.Ouch! That must have hurt. Thankfully this has never happened to myself.This next video, is a horrible reminder of the power and force that comes from a back draft. This is a Firefighters number one enemy, and one that we train religiously to deal with. Watch this video and you will see what i mean.Here is another example of how back draft could just wipe us out in a flash. This time, i...
More About: Videos , Feed , Subscriber , Subs , Scribe

How to become a FireFighter - Recruitment.
2007-10-22 14:46:00
Good afternoon to you all,Welcome back to Firefighting UK | Firefighter Diary and the personal diary of Firefighter X.Today i have decided to devote my posting to people who are looking for advice, tips, information and general help on recruitment and the selection process. Installed on my blog, i have a stat counter that tells me many things about what you the readers, look at in my diary. Things like how long you were at my site for and what words you typed into your browser to find my site in the first place etc.Well, it turns out that hundreds of you are searching for information on recruitment. Why you would want to do this for a living I'll never know! (lol)With this is mind, i am going to cater for your needs, by posting an article i have spent the last two days writing. I hope you all find it useful and that you find it beneficial in your quest to join the Fire Service.Becoming a FirefighterHow to become a FirefighterI have written this page in order to assist would-be fire...
More About: Recruitment

Rugby World Cup Final Day...
2007-10-20 12:57:00
Good afternoon to you all.Welcome to Rugby World Cup Final Day.England v South AfricaTo drop-kick start your day, i have posted a video below. Take a moment of your day to watch it and remember what happened the last time England were in a World Cup Final.Wow, what an amazing day that was!Below, i came across this picture and just had to share it with you all.A squirrel trying to do "The Johnny Wilkinson" (lol)Well, i don't know about you lot, but i can safely say, that i will be sitting in front of the giant screen in my lounge, with a few tins by my side from 1930 onwards. It should be a great final, and I'm really looking forward to it. So come on Boys, 80 more minutes is all that stands before you and another World Cup victory. Let me know if you're going to be watching it and tell me where you will be for this momentous occasion. I will try and publish a few.It should be a great weekend of sport all round actually, what with Lewis Hamilton gunning for the World Motor Racing ...
More About: Rugby World Cup

Top Video's
2007-10-18 12:25:00
Hello everybody,Today, i have decided to share some of my favourite videos with you all. All of the lads at work have voted the following videos, fit for your viewing.I hope you all enjoy them as much as we do.Firstly, if you have never seen or heard of Mr Pregnant. You are missing out!Next up, i have another treat for you with some amazing soccer skills. Just sit back and watch!Next up, we have a ping pong match in the style of The Matrix. As you know, we play quite a bit of ping pong at the Fire Station, and this video is just fantastic. Take a look!Next, i would like to show you the Worlds Number One Freestyle Breakdancer. - Incredible!Please feel free to post any links you may have to funny videos, using the comments button.I will publish the funniest, for our readers to view.I hope you enjoyed this posting, and i will catch up with you all later.Firefighter X

I'm shattered, thanks to nights.
2007-10-17 20:21:00
Good evening to all followers of Firefighting UK.Firefighter X here again and i am shattered.Just had two busy nights and no sleep. Went to work Monday night for the 1st of the 2 nights, and felt lousy in myself. I've been really tired lately and can't seem to get back to normal. Don't know why, it must be the bug that seems to be going round at the moment. It was nice being back at my home station after my visit out the previous day. All the familiar faces and the normal banter always gives me the pleasant warming feeling of "belonging". My watch are basically my extended family, as we live and breath various experiences together. Some dangerous and some not, and we form close bonds of friendship together. We all keep an eye out for one another and would risk whatever it took, if one of our colleagues was to get into trouble.So here i was back home. We did all the normal start of shift formalities and sat round the table, to see what was being lined up for us tonight. R.T.C. tra...
More About: Hank , Nights

My day on standby at another Fire Station
2007-10-14 23:51:00
Good evening readers around the world.How are you all today? Me, I'm just fine!It is now 2300 on Sunday evening, and everybody in my house is tucked up in bed. Yet, here i am publishing today's diary entry, so that you can all read about what i have been up to today.Aren't i good to you all?Anyway, it's been a strange day for me today, because i have been out on standby. If you still don't know what that that means by now, you need shooting. Where have you been for 3 weeks?It was arranged yesterday. My station received a phone call, asking if we could send one of our blokes over to them, to cover an absence at their station. The way it works is as follows:We keep a list of every ones name on our watch. Then as our lads are required to go on standby, we follow the order of the list, and guess what? It was my turn. When we have to go out on standby for the day, we do get some rewards. Firstly i will be paid 2 hours overtime for having to go. This amount depends on the location of...
More About: Fire , Station

Xmas and Posh's Knee Nightmare
2007-10-12 16:49:00
Hello readers.Today is Friday, and it is my last day off before i have to go to work.I would like to start today off, with a news article that i have come across this morning on Firehouse.com.Emma Gunby, PA Press Association News fileA fireman was charged with causing death by dangerous driving today following a fatal collision during an emergency call.The fire engine was en route to an emergency landing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on January 18 when the accident happened.Derek Kelly, 45, from Huyton, Liverpool died and another man suffered serious injuries after their car collided with a fire and rescue vehicle on Garston Way, Garston.Firefighter David Alex Robinson, 36, from Winchester Drive, Wallasey, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.He will appear before Liverpool Magistrates' Court on May 22.What do you think of this story then?I have known of numerous accidents involving fire engines. I have even been involved in an accident myself whilst on duty....
More About: Nightmare , Xmas

Final night and My Space
2007-10-10 12:40:00
Good morning everybody,And what a fine morning it is. The girl on the weather forecast has just assured me that it's going to be 65 degrees today. Could this finally be the start of our summer? Make the most of it peeps, you know it won't last.I never got the chance to post yesterday,as i had a few things that required my attention to deal with. Yesterday afternoon, i did a little promoting for the blog on My Space . It turned out to be a very interesting way of advertising in the end.I was inundated with people inquiring about my identity. Unfortunately though, we know what will happen if my identity is revealed don't we?If you are reading this now, as a result of meeting me on My Space yesterday. Then "Hello and welcome to Firefighting UK. Thanks for coming to read my diary, and keep tabs on my daily life. We have taken the Internet by storm, and are now pulling in thousands of readers from around the world. It appears that firefighters are a popular choice for the majority of p...
More About: Night , Final

Night Shift 1 - My letter
2007-10-08 13:18:00
Good morning readers,I hope everybody is feeling well today. The sun is shining on this crisp morning, and i am in a fun mood. I don't know why, because i have just finished my night shift. I'm also quite tired and still haven't gone to bed. I shall be heading up the wooden hills though, as soon as i have completed today's posting.So here goes: It was Sunday yesterday, so i was able to leave the house a bit later, as there isn't as much traffic on the roads. It always makes a refreshing change having to go to work on a Sunday, without the usual hustle and bustle on the way in. I was still running round like a "loon" though. I was playing Guess Who with my daughter, and didn't realise the time. Thank God it was Sunday! I had to make a mad dash to the Mother-in-laws to drop the nipper off before going to work. The wife was at work and she didn't finish until half an hour after i start. That would leave nobody to look after the baby, so i had to drop her round the in-laws.On the...
More About: Letter , Night , Shift

School Visit at the Fire Station
2007-10-06 18:32:00
Hello again everybody,Welcome back to Fire fighting UK Fireman's Diary.It appears that thousands of you really enjoyed the pictures and illusions that i posted in my last post. Several of you found it impossible to find the secret images, and have asked for the answers to be posted. So, by popular demand, if you take a look at the posting again, using the archive section on the right to find it. You will now see the answers. I hope you can see them now!I have just finished another busy day shift. I have been extremely busy educating the local school children. The gaffer dropped it on us first thing this morning, in his normal style."Oh by the way lads, 24 school kids are coming this morning"Now, i don't usually mind this. The main reason, is that it is right up my street. I find nothing more rewarding than working with the kiddy winkles. In fact, i sometimes think that i should have been a teacher. We had nothing prepared, and quickly had to decide amongst us what we were going to ...
More About: School , Station , Visit

Time For Some Fun...
2007-10-04 21:33:00
Firefighting UK Fireman's DiaryHello again, I thought it was about time i let you all have a bit of fun.Below are some illusions, puzzles and other interesting things for you to look at.Are there really just flowers on the illusion below?If you don't see the hidden faces, take another look.answer: There are 4 faces (side profile)To the left of the pink flowers at the top, the nose of the face goes into the flower.Directly opposite on the right hand side is another.To the left of the purple flowers at the bottom.Finally, to the right of the purple flowers(nose touching the flowers)What about this one?Increase the distance between yourself and the image if you can't see it.Take a look at this for an arrangement!Can you believe that all of these lines are parallel?I promise you, there is nothing moving on this next image!Remember, get further away to read it clearly.If you struggle with this one above (squint)See if you can find the hidden baby in this picture?Answer: The baby fills...
More About: Time , Some

An Amazing Story of a U.S. Firefighter
2007-10-04 13:05:00
Firefighting UKFiremans Diary Fireman's recovery stuns doctorsHerbert has lived in a nursing home for more than seven years.US doctors are trying to find out why a severely brain-damaged man has suddenly started to speak after nearly 10 years.Donald Herbert, 43, a firefighter, was badly injured in a house fire in 1995 and was deprived of oxygen for several minutes before being rescued. He was in a coma for more than two months, and since then he has been blind, barely able to speak and unable to recognise family and friends. But at the weekend he spoke lucidly with his wife and family for 14 hours.He has since maintained his recovery. Medical experts say it is almost unheard of for patients to recover from such severe brain injuries after so many years. Michael Powel, a neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, in London told the BBC he had not seen anything similar in his 25 years working in the specialty.A news conference on Mr Herbert's condition is ...
More About: Story , Amazing

My days off again
2007-10-03 20:16:00
Hello again everybody,Firefighter X here again. Doesn't time fly when you're running a firefighting blog.It doesn't seem like five minutes since my last posting. Yet again, i would like to thank all the readers of this blog around the world. People are subscribing to the feeds in their droves, and visitor figures have gone through the roof. It's you guys that make my doing this worth while. So keep spreading the word, and tell all your friends and acquaintances about Firefighting UK Blog.You may have noticed that i have added numerous banners towards the bottom of the page. Due to the nature and content of my blog, how2become.com have agreed for me, to show you their products. Their first banner is located at the top of my blog. "How to Become a Firefighter"Click the banner and you will see their amazing product.MAIN PRODUCT FEATURES:• Insider Tips from current serving Firefighters! • How to pass the New National Firefighter selection process• In depth knowledge to prepare...
More About: Days

Finally finished nights.....
2007-10-01 21:37:00
Good evening to you all round the world,I've been exhausted after 2 nights of not sleeping. No explanation really apart from the fact that I'm sick to death of being freezing cold at work, and getting silly jobs through the night.When i say funny jobs, i mean jobs that are of nothing of interest. Routine fires like car fires, fires in the open, skip fires and other mundane stuff that comes about as a result of mindless acts of vandalism by the minority in our community.As for being cold all night, we aren't allowed anything as per usual to cover ourselves during the night. We used to be allowed to have bedding and somewhere comfortable to sleep. Now we have chairs that your granny couldn't sleep in and no blankets. When we say sleep, its just a result of what happens when you are at work and not being called out. In my opinion, the public would get a better service from firefighters that had been allowed to rest.You see when we finish our 2nd day shift (we start with 2 days reme...
More About: Finally , Finish , Nish , Nights

Day 2 - Free Beer
2007-09-29 12:39:00
Good morning readers round the world.Sorry i didn't post the days events last night, its just that i didn't get the opportunity. You see, we stopped at the pub after work, for a few "bevvies" (beverages).I know, but it would have been rude not to. It wasn't something that anybody had planned, it just transpired throughout the course of the day. You see, the day started pretty much how the previous day ended. The "watch" was in fine spirits, exchanging morning banter and laughing and joking. Watch morale is sailing high on our watch, but that's because we have a top bunch of lads. A mix of the young and the old, with none us yet in our 40's. Us older boys help the younger and new boys, and everything works just nice. "The prefect balance".Baldrick was out on standby and chewy was sent to join him over the other side of town. Two down, but but of characters left to enjoy the day. The bells first went at 0945. A flooding at the local pub. (sound familiar?) The boiler had blown up,...
More About: Beer , Free

First Day Back
2007-09-27 22:18:00
Good Evening readers,Tonight's post is a little later than normal, so sorry for the wait. What a great day we have had today. Everybody seemed in a good mood, that was until we went upstairs and found that we had no sugar left. What! How's a man supposed to do a fair days work for a fair days pay, without a brew in his belly. What started as a tragedy, soon turned into hilarity as "Chewy" the big geezer on the watch (i don't think you've met yet) started to pour salt into the sugar bowl.I quickly scanned the kitchen, to work out who was going to be the next unsuspecting victim. Everybody already seemed to be there, damn! No wait a minute, no gaffers yet. "But, they don't have sugar" chirped tasty critter, "but Baldrick does". He was right, Baldrick wasn't in the kitchen yet. Everybody started giggling, but quickly went into "read the papers mode", when Baldrick walked in. First the tea bag, then two spoon fulls of salt. Over to the water boiler, and in with the water. The teab...
More About: Back

My Last Day Off
2007-09-26 16:22:00
Hello readers,Hope you are all well today. Well, it's my final day off, back to work in the morning. I have received numerous comments from you all, again the response has been overwhelming, and it seems that you would like to know more about recruitment and how to join the fire service. Therefore i am going to talk about exactly that.Joining the Fire Service is by no means an easy feat. You will have to prepare yourself for the fact that, from the moment you apply, until you get to start (if successful). It will take about 18 months. This is just an average of course. When i joined it took over 2 years!Firstly, you can't just apply to be one, you have to wait until the fire service is recruiting. What i mean by this is, every 6 months or once per year, the fire service will advertise that it is recruiting. The opportunity will only be available for a very short period. If you miss it - TOUGH, try again next time. From what i can gather, it is advertised in the media and online at...

My Days Off
2007-09-25 14:16:00
Good morning everybody,Today, i am enjoying a lovely day off with my little daughter. The wife is at work and our lad is at school. Time to relax i think.Today i have added a tribute video, to all the firefighters across the Atlantic, who lost their lives on 9/11. As a UK Firefighter, i can say on behalf of us all, that day changed all our lives forever. Over 300 firefighters lost their lives trying to rescue those in danger from the towers. They are the bravest of the brave as far as we are all concerned. 2 weeks ago on the anniversary of 9/11, we all stood to attention at the front of the station for a minutes silence, to pay our respects to our fallen brothers in America. You will never be forgotten! The tribute video, can be found at the bottom of the page.I do however, have mixed emotions about that day. I believe there is a lot more to it, that what you see on the surface. Below i have embedded a video for you all to watch. It reveals discrepancy after discrepancy about the of...
More About: Days

My 1st Day Off
2007-09-25 12:51:00
Good morning readers.What a great lie in i've had this morning. The wife let me sleep in. She usually does when i come off nights, so that i can catch up on my sleep. She reckons i get miserable when i'm tired.Our lad Has gone to school and my liitle princess has her dressing gown on and chocolate biscuit round her mouth. The wife has work this morning. She works part time in a local toy shop. She's says it's so she can have some pocket money, but i think it's because she loves buying the kids toys, and she gets a great discount at work. Put it this way, our kids have everything. It's like Santa's bleedin' grotto here on christmas morning. I wouldn't want it any other way though!.Got to pay a few bills this morning, but i'll do that after i've finished writing todays events. Just to keep you all posted with the way the blog is progressing. It appears that there are thousands of you, that have been looking for a blog about firefighting. I am overwhelmed by the volume of tr...

Day 5 - End of Shift
2007-09-24 13:10:00
Morning readers,I've just got home, after my final night shift. "Home Sweet Home"I'm tired this morning, and I've had a fairly decent night at work. Makes a refreshing change after the "tour" we've had this week. It's actually been quite a good time to start the blog for me. I've had plenty to talk about haven't i?.My daughter has just yelled out "Daddy!", and jumped into my arms, planting a big sloppy kiss on me. I really miss her when I'm away from home on nights. Her cheeky giggle and the climbing all over me with her feet. Most of all though, i miss the wife. The most beautiful woman, i ever laid eyes on. She has a hint of espanol in her blood, and her dark hair, brown eyes and olive skin, are the epitome of beauty in my eyes.That will keep me in the good books for a while. She likes to have a little read of what I'm telling the world. (Thank me later Snips!) - her pet name....Enough waffling.Got to work early last night, even had time for a game of ping pong with "Tast...
More About: Shift

Day 4 - Big R.T.C.
2007-09-23 10:18:00
Morning all,I was on nights last night (14 hour shift), and it was filled with carnage, due to a very nasty incident in the city centre.The incident came through our turn out system just after 2300 hours.R.T.C. (road traffic collision) involving 3 cars in an underpass - persons trapped.Whhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I slid down the pole, closely followed by "tasty critter", who was riding on the back of the truck with me (BA Wearers).The turn-out sheet informed us that 3 appliances had been mobilized to the incident, and a Major Rescue Unit was also en route. The M.R.U. is a large mobile type building that fits on the back of a specialized truck called a Prime Mover, and it is taken to incidents and dropped off there. It contains specialist equipment that isn't necessarily carried on the standard fire appliances. Larger cutting equipment,lighting,generators,giant inflatable airbags (used for lifting), shoring timber,angle grinders and much more. The list would go on and on, so i will sto...

Day 3
2007-09-22 11:30:00
Hello readers,Today is day 3 of my blog, so thanks for coming back and following my life at work.Was running a little late this morning, had a late night and really felt the pinch when the alarm went off. Got to work through the usual traffic in good time though.My bones ache today, i must have slept funny and i don't fancy doing anything energetic today.As soon as parade had finished, the "bells" went off."Fire - Persons reported" was written on the turn out sheet - this is the piece of paper that comes out of the fire cat (printer) with the details of where and what we are going to. This was backed up with a shout down the tanoy!Within seconds we were flying through the doors of the engine house. We are at our ultimate best when we hear the words "persons reported". This tells us that there are people trapped in the fire somewhere. It is at this point, that the truck grows "wings". No messing about, everybody turns into the ultimate firefighter. This is the reason we all joined!I...