Unique is a style in firefighting!

I've been thinking about this a lot today... what makes you unique in the fire service? Everyone has an idiosyncrasy, or if your like me you have a few. I know this may sound weird but I carry a pair of socks in my turnout gear; and now I probably have you laughing or thinking that I'm a strange character but believe it or not they can be used for more than just on your feet. However, I can assure you that there sole reason is for my feet, but I've adopted some other uses in the fire service that prove to be handy...



1.) I've used them as a rag before... I can actually say that I've gone through a lot of socks in my turn out gear but they're not expensive, if you buy in bulk that is; and they are great after a fire to use as a rag and wipe your brow (if no rags are available).

2.) I've used this one as well: A place to store my Lieutenants Glasses while he was in a building for safe keeping. Best if the socks are clean! (I've actually lost his glasses once on a fire scene and someone accidentally cracked them, I felt really bad so I adapted and overcame by coming up with a way to protect them while in my pocket and making sure I didn't loose them ever again).

3.) If something falls apart (small pieces of equipment) you can use the sock to store the pieces in so nothing gets lost. (I've used this before for screws that worked there way out of some equipment on a fire scene, I knew if I put them on the tail board they would be a goner for sure, so I put them in my handy dandy pair of socks and they were safe until we returned back to station).

4.) A tourniquet (Band aid Pusher in me) Luckily I haven't had to use this one yet, and hopefully I never will.

5.) If someone cuts there hand and you need a quick dressing before EMS can tend to you. (again Band aid pusher coming out, LOL) And unfortunately I've used this technique on myself; it really helps prevent any debris from entering the wound.

I've used them for more than the above listed but I would be interested in hearing from you and what you could use them for or if you want to share what makes you unique, comment me back and let me know.

P.S.: I don't keep the socks in the same pocket as my gloves either; we have to keep them clean in case they are needed in a medical situation.

“I am a firefighter because…”

"I am a firefighter because..."
It's actually a long story with a huge history lesson thrown in for good measure, but I'll give you the abridge version so no one falls asleep.
It all started for me at 6 months of age...{time travel sequence and a lot of weird music}, my Grandmother was the first female firefighter in the City and she had something to prove; she was out walking me in my stroller one Autumn afternoon when the fire whistle went off, not having a pager she took off running at a full sprint to get to the firehouse to see what the call was; this was to be my first adrenaline stroller ride through the streets of Lambertville.
I can honestly tell you that adrenaline was only a tinsy part of why I became a firefighter; the largest part would be because of my father. The love and passion he has for the fire service is just infectious, his determination to assist in whatever capacity and his drive to improve his knowledge and help inform and teach others are just some of the many reasons why I became a firefighter.
I have excelled exponentially and become the first women to hold every lieutenant position in our Department, I am the first women to drive multiple pieces of apparatus(which I prefer driving over my car)and my greatest achievement so far would have to be my current rank which is another first for the Department. It has taken a while for me to gain the respect I deserve; but you can't expect everyone to be glad that I became Captain overnight. It's been a long hard 5 years and I'm more proud of myself than my Father, Grandfather, Grandmother or Mother combined could ever be in me. It's been a long road and I can't wait to keep going, no mater how many obstacles come my way.

I plan on using this blog to write about the past events that have helped shape my career, the current things that go on (so I don't go mad keeping them inside), the future events and what is to come with the fire service in general. And I know a lot of retired and amazing firefighters that I would love to capture bits of the past and tell their story so that future fire fighters can respect and learn from the trials and tribulations of our crazy firefighting pasts. Hope you check back often!
Stay safe and always remember it will probably still be burning when you get there so it's best if everyone gets there in one piece!