I'm exhausted.
Today, I put in an honest day's work at the Chicago Fire Department training facility. I'm not the newest recruit- trust me, I could never make their cut- but today the folks at the C.F.D. were kind enough to welcome members of the media in for a glimpse and a go at the kind of exercises they perform every day.
Their regimen is certainly rigorous.
We started our day at their scuba facility, where I decked out in a "dry suit" and dove right in.
I can't tell you the last time I took a swim....but peer pressure proved powerful! I had to make it across the length of the pool to rescue a 150 lb. dummy, and when I had to swim him back across supporting him- I began to wonder who was the dumb one... he was bigger than me! Just as I finished- proud as a peacock, I'll admit- the dive coordinator darkened the pool as well as the room. Our swimming conditions were transformed into pitch black darkness- like many of the situations our city's rescue divers face. It was scary, but my solace came in knowing it was simulated.
We then dried out quickly when we put on about 75 pounds of fire protective gear in the July heat. I climbed a five-story ladder, tried not to look down, all the while wondering why the StairMaster wasn't working as part of my workout routine.
The most strenuous and stressful part of the day was entering a dark burning building, oxygen tank on my back, and crawling on my hands and knees. I had to feel my way through the hot hallway....all the while hoping these firefighters had the blaze under control.
They did, and for that I am thankful.
I'll stick to T.V.- exhausted and amazed by the work that goes into protecting this city and the folks that train daily, preparing to make a bad situation a little better.
Right now for me, that work calls for an aspirin.
Kevin Roy of ABC7 and I pulled a dummy into a rescue raft... it was a lot harder than it looks.
I'm feeling thankful for my personal flotation device. My swimming skills fall short of spectacular.
So I'm especially proud of this one.
Randi to the rescue.
No need for a net!
Comments (1)
Wow! I think everyone appreciates our firefighters, and from your small glimpse, we can try to understand how much work, training and courage it takes for them to protect us. Thanks for the story!
Posted by Emily B | July 26, 2008 12:27 PM
Posted on July 26, 2008 12:27