The guys from Engine 8 C shift got to partake in some out-of-the-ordinary training on December 3, 2008. Our EMS transportation agency for Mecklenburg County (MEDIC ) called and requested Engine 8 and Ladder 1 to come to their headquarters located off of Statesville Road to help with training of their graduating paramedics.

As part of graduating from paramedic school, MEDIC gives the graduating students a hand-on scenario to see what the students have learned and to be able to put it into use. The scenario that was chosen for students this time was a simulated two car motor vehicle collision with pin-in. The training grounds used for this scenario was a large bay with speakers for sound effects and real life props. The vehicle crash was to take place at night on the freeway so the bay was blacked out and sounds of cars passing by were played over speakers. Engine 8 and Ladder 1 were given the task of removing the patients from the vehicles with Ladder 1’s extrication tools.

As the scenario started, Engine 8’s crew arrived on scene first and took command assessing the situation and triaging patients. Next Ladder 1 arrived on the scene and began extrication of the patients that were pinned in. As Ladder 1 began taking the roof off of the car, their hydraulic spreader had a malfunction so Sawzalls had to be used to make the remaining cuts that were necessary to take the roof off the car. This made the scenario for us even more lifelike because tools sometimes fail in the field, so you have to adapt and overcome to get the job done. As the patients were removed from the vehicles the new paramedics assessed and treated them. The whole time that the scenario was going on, every move was taped and recorded to see how the paramedic students were caring for the patients. All around this was a good training exercise because it gave Engine 8’s crew a chance to use the vehicle extrication tools and work with another CFD company.

Photos from training

As firefighters things can change in the span of a second. We may be eating a meal one minute and the next be on our way to fight a fire. That is part of our job; we accept it. Things can change for us on calls as well. Annually, the fire department as a whole responds to thousands of fire alarms. Most are fire alarms are false calls. Many turn out to be true fires where the fire alarm does its job properly. Tonight’s alarm was something on a completely different level.

We were dispatched to a fire alarm at a location we have been to many times before. The usual cause of fire alarms at this specific location is food left on the stove a little too long. This results in a little smoke in the respective apartment. The typical solution is to clear any remaining smoke out of the apartment and reset the fire alarm. Remember, though, like I said: this was not usual

So the story begins. We entered the building as normal. Two of us headed to the apartment indicated by the fire alarm panel. The other two personnel stood by at the alarm panel itself. What was particular right from the beginning was the large number of people fleeing in great panic. People were trying to shoving us as the hurried out of the main door. Usually, people exit the building in a nice calm manner.

As we entered got near the elevator two men came into the lobby from one of the adjoining hallways. One man was hitting another over the head using a large piece of wood. Blood was flying everywhere. The two of us that were near well into the lobby headed towards our captain to inform him what was happening. He promptly informed Alarm of the situation and asked for them to dispatch CMPD.

Since we were already in the lobby where the assault was taking place we decided to try and assist the man who was being beaten. We had not gotten very far when the man with the stick drew a gun. He pointed it at the other man’s head. We promptly backed away from them just as CMPD arrived. CMPD immediately got the situation under control and had the suspected assailant in custody. We doffed most of our turnout gear and once the scene was secure we went to medically treating the patient.

The lesson we learned is to be ready for anything. Most of the time we will just deal with the same old “usual”, but things can always change.

August’s In-service training at the Charlotte Fire Academy was on quick search tactics on the fire ground. This tactic is known as vent, enter search. This section of training was taught by Captain Hardin from Station 17-B Shift. When the first due engine arrives on the scene and it is confirmed that there may victims trapped inside, V.E.S. (vent, enter, search) is a quick way to get to the possible victims and get them out. Using the burn building at the academy, Eng8ine along other C.F.D. companies practiced doing a V.E.S. drill. First a 24’ extension ladder is raised to the second floor of the burn building and forcefully pushed through a simulated window (a piece of sheetrock). Then the first firefighter in the two man team goes to the second floor window carrying a tool (hook, halligan etc.) and cleans out the remaining “glass”. After clearing the simulated glass the first firefighter goes into the second story window and searches for the possible victims with the aid of a thermal imaging camera. While the first firefighter is searching the room, the second firefighter climbs to the top of the ladder at the second story window to aid the first firefighter in getting the victims out and then brings them down the ladder. A good time was had by all, learning a newer technique that is evolving in the fire service.

Engine 8 responded to a small residential gas leak today.  The call came in off Shenandoah Avenue around 1000 hrs Companies on the box included Eng1ine, Lad1der, Eng6ine, and Hazmat .  Engine 8 arrived first on the scene to be greeted by a CMPD officer who confirmed the leak. The guys off Engine 8 grabbed some shovels and started digging out and had the line crimped before the whole box alarm could arrive on scene. The nearby houses were monitored for any signs of carbon monoxide and Piedmont gas repaired the line.

Charlotte Fire Department’s (CFD’s) Engine Eight was Grand Marshal at Shenandoah Av’s annual Halloween parade this Friday. The turnout was a whole host of Ghouls, Power Rangers, Princesses, and a few Army Men in case things got out of hand. Engine Eight led the procession as the crowd followed as neighbors passed out candy along the way to all of the kids.

Engine 8 is based out of Station 8 in the Plaza-Midwood Community and responds alongside Engine 64.

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2008