{"id":4777,"date":"2012-01-26T17:15:00","date_gmt":"2012-01-26T17:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-long-beach-firefighter\/"},"modified":"2012-01-26T17:15:00","modified_gmt":"2012-01-26T17:15:00","slug":"a-day-in-the-life-of-a-long-beach-firefighter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-long-beach-firefighter","title":{"rendered":"A Day in the Life of a Long Beach Firefighter"},"content":{"rendered":"

1:45pm | <\/strong>As a documenter of life I’ve found people would rather document only the easy and glamourous parts of life. So I’ve set out to document the intricate parts of real people’s lives, the struggles, the risks and the things that matter. In this instance I had the pleasure of spending 24 hours with Bryan Wade, a Long Beach Firefighter.<\/span>    <\/em>
 <\/span>  <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>
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\"\"
7:30 am January 17th. <\/span>
Long Beach CA.<\/span>
Firestation 11.<\/span>
I arrive and get settled into what would be my home for the next 24 hours.<\/span>
<\/span><\/em>
\"\"
Nearly immediately after I got there, a call came in. We were off to a fire. Bryan (the firefighter I would be following for the next 24 hours) had to rush in his gym shorts without shoes due to the urgency of the call.
<\/em>      <\/em> <\/em>  <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>\"\"
Less then two minutes to change out of his gym shorts, barefoot and a t-shirt into full protective fire gear, including breathing apparatus, mask, boots and gloves.<\/span>
<\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>\"\"
Bryan jumps from one side of the engine to the other to get into the proper gear. This moment could only be described as amazing.<\/span>
<\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>      <\/em>\"\"
From the time Firestation 11 received the call for the fire until this moment Bryan is carrying 100lbs of hose was precisely 2 minutes 44 seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Art Valdes Fire Captain (red helmet) directs the battle against the house fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Charles Hakopian rushes to bring a ladder incase roof ventilation is needed.<\/span>
 
\"\"
The Apartment is searched and secured while others work to put out the fire. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
8:39am The fire is contained<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
After the fire is put out, Bryan ensures that there are nothing left in the walls, headboards or floor that could possibly restart the house on fire.<\/span>
 
\"\"
Because of the insanely quick response and the skill level of this team of firemen the fire was contained to only one room. A matter of minutes and this apartment would have been burnt to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
 
\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
Firefighter Engineer Willis checks the gauges, engine RPM, water pressures and monitors the truck for optimum performance.<\/span>
 
\"\"
After the fire is put out, Bryan Wade walks through the entire apartment to inspect and double check for any additional issues.<\/span>
 
\"\"
The captains talk. Art Valdes(right) speaks with co-captain Frank Grimes and works on filing the report. Frank mentions here to notify the Red Cross that this family may be at risk of being displaced.<\/span>
 
\"\"
Bryan further investigates the fire and cause.<\/span>
 
\"\"
The fire was started inside the closet and at this point I’m not sure how it was started.<\/span>
 
\"\"
On to the next call<\/span>
 
\"\"
Bryan shares a laugh with Fire Captain 11 over the headset<\/span>
 
\"\"
Back at the station crew cleans up, refills breathing apparatus and prepares for the next call<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
9:59am: Quickly on to the next call, another house fire.<\/span> <\/span>After the fire had been contained, Bryan does a search of the home.<\/span>
 
\"\"
It ended up being an oven fire. Quickly put out and on to the next emergency.<\/span>
 
\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
10:20am: Part of the everyday fire station duties. Bryan does his part in keeping the area livable.<\/span>
 
\"\"
10:37am The daily briefing.<\/span>
 
\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
11:09am Bryan inspects a building in his district to make sure it passes all of the fire codes.<\/span>
 
\"\"
Bryan and I heading back from a call. I was given “A Valdes” jacket to help bystanders identify me as being part of the team for the day 
 
\"\"
11:30am: A ladder assist. To help law enforcers locate evidence in a crime. <\/span>
 
\"\"
Police recover the evidence, a revolver that was tossed onto a Long Beach home while the suspect fled. Suspect was caught a few blocks away.<\/span>
 
\"\"
12:34pm Stopping by a local grocery store to pick up produce for lunch. Each firefighter pitches in $15 a day for the 3 meals that are cooked by different people in the station each time. <\/span>
 
\"\"
Back at the station, Engineer Willis inspects the Fire Engine he drives.<\/span>
 
\"\"
2:21pm The view from the top of the Fire Tower and training facility for all of Long Beach.<\/span>
 
\"\"
Walking through the test facility with Bryan Wade.<\/span>
 
\"\"
 
\"\"
Bryan demonstrating the correct way to cut vents on a roof with a chain saw.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
<\/span>
\"\"
The Fire Station 11 team with Long Beach <\/span>Battalion Chief <\/span>Greg Henry and Dutch visitor Flinn Deen (far right, in black).<\/span><\/span>
 
\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
3:28pm Captain Frank Grimes gets set for the drill.<\/span>
 
\"\"
Plans are quickly given to 3 teams of how they will be fighting the set-up fire.<\/span>
 
\"\"
 
\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
Performing a drill<\/span>
 
\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
This image explains it all. These local heroes enter deadly situations every day, and do it with courage and strength. 
 
\"\"
Bugbee mans the door for the fire drill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Bryan’s helmet shows the heat of the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
4:29pm Heading back to the station to change and eat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
6pm: Before we’re able to eat dinner, we leave the food on the table & we’re off to another call.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
A house call, with complaints of chest pains<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
Inside the truck, Bryan sets up the patient for the ride to the hospital. (Patient’s identity hidden for privacy purposes.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
6:30pm: Bryan sets up for the next call with his gear right outside the door of the engine he puts back on his more comfortable tennis shoes.<\/span>

<\/span>
In the background the quick release ventilation system that attaches to the muffler of the truck has just been attached. This is huge in protecting lungs from harmful gases in the station.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
7:44pm: Called onto a city bus for a seizure victim. This call impressed me at the skill level of the team and how they were able to handle a tough patient.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Quickly transports the patient to the nearby hospital. This gurney may be the best tool I have ever seen. Smooth rolling, hydraulic movements and incredibly stable. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
9:27pm: A fall victim is rushed to the hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
10:00pm: Tiller Ladder rear driver and Fireman Engineer sets up his area before getting some rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
10:02pm: Bryan heads to his small room to try to get some rest after a long days work. Above his bed there is a custom alarm system that wakes him up only if his Truck is called upon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
3:00am: FireStation 11 is called to assist in a DTS (Delirium Tremens Symptoms)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
3:15am: Bryan and Charles wash up and head back to their rooms to rest. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
A photo of Firestation 11’s call zone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
<\/em>
After spending 24 hours with Bryan and his 10 firehouse mates, I am blown away by the commitment and bravery of each of these firemen. The teamwork and skill level that each person showed was unbelievable. It takes a strong and courageous human to be able to work through some of the things these men see everyday. Problem solvers at their finest. It was an honor to have been apart of 1 full shift. <\/p>\n

I will never look at a passing firetruck the same again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As a documenter of life I’ve found people would rather document only the easy and glamourous parts of life. So I’ve set out to document the intricate parts of real people’s lives, the struggles, the risks and the things that matter. In this instance I had the pleasure of spending 24 hours with Bryan Wade, a Long Beach Firefighter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":69820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_html":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-4777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hi-lo","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4777"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4777\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4777"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=4777"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=4777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}