Laura007 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 i went on a fire marshall course this morning, the chap doing it was an ex fireman. now, if he said it once he said it half a dozen times " the only way to get used to the extinguisher is to use them" i sat there thinking great when do we get to have a squirt........still sat there waiting..........starting to get a bit fidgity with excitement, but no. sorry but we dont do that in these traing sessions. WHAT!!!!!!!!! they tell you that if it is a small fire and you feel confident enough to tackle it, then have a go. how do you feel confident if you have never fired one before. dont get me wrong, i hope NEVER have have to use one, but it would be nice to no what to expect, seeing as the co2 one make a loud shrill noise when it is used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 oh they take all the enjoyment out of things dont they! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Ooo, fireman? .... was he bald? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura007 Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 Ooo, fireman? .... was he bald? rather oddly he was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 all the cute ones are. It's on their job requirements I think... must be bald or be prepared to shave/clipper hair VERY short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Drat!! And you didn't send him my way!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura007 Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 to be honest, and hate to shatter you dreams, but he wasnt that attractive. also he said udder instead of other alot which made me smirk far to much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lapinou Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 We asked the local firestation to bring a fire engine along to an NCT Tea Party one year - we said it was for the children, but all us female volunteers only really asked them so we got to ogle some yummy firemen. Who did they send but someone who couldn't ever be described as yummy and a woman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 We asked the local firestation to bring a fire engine along to an NCT Tea Party one year - we said it was for the children, but all us female volunteers only really asked them so we got to ogle some yummy firemen. Who did they send but someone who couldn't ever be described as yummy and a woman! first serious laugh I have had today, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I have done several of these courses and we always got to have a go using various kinds of extinguisher before elf and safety realised that it was dangerous and somebody could get hurt learning how to survive an inferno. Since then the European 'must have everything the same' brigade decreed that ALL extinguishers must be RED and therefore the tiny print on them must be READ before you know what kind of extinguisher you are about to use. The Fire safety people now advise you to leave the building as quickly as possible whilst the fire service have to do a risk assessment outside on whether or not it is safe to rescue you. It is counter productive to use a fire extinguisher unless you happen to know it personally and can vouch for its type, and then only if it can help you get to the nearest exit when cornered by fire. The bottom line is, it is never safe to tackle a fire unless you have been trained to do so, and it is no longer deemed safe enough to be trained how to do so. Part of my best and most useful fire training course involved going into a training building at the Fire station which was then set on fire. We all had BA sets and were supervised by Firefighters. We were never in any danger and we got to put the fire out. It was brilliant! We were taught how to get out of a smoke filled bulding as well as how to search one for people as the Fire Service do, all whilst the buiding was on fire. The course was also timed to coincide with the latest intake of trainee Firefighters, we as apprentices in the chemical industry were well impressed with the whole set-up and a few lads asked about signing up as firefighters instead. You missed out there, sorry for the ramble Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 The bottom line is, it is never safe to tackle a fire unless you have been trained to do so, and it is no longer deemed safe enough to be trained how to do so. That was a really interesting post Kev. I work on a site where there is a fire extinguisher every few meters yet I have never been trained on how to use them in the 21 years I've worked here. Having said that, we are subject to all sorts of fire hazards as I work with and around compressed and highly flammable gases, if something were to happen we'd just run away as fast as possible Even the fire brigade draw straws if they get a call from us Sorry you got disappointed Laura - I've always wanted a go at the foam ones - sounds really messy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura007 Posted June 26, 2008 Author Share Posted June 26, 2008 I have done several of these courses and we always got to have a go using various kinds of extinguisher before elf and safety realised that it was dangerous and somebody could get hurt learning how to survive an inferno. Since then the European 'must have everything the same' brigade decreed that ALL extinguishers must be RED and therefore the tiny print on them must be READ before you know what kind of extinguisher you are about to use. The Fire safety people now advise you to leave the building as quickly as possible whilst the fire service have to do a risk assessment outside on whether or not it is safe to rescue you. It is counter productive to use a fire extinguisher unless you happen to know it personally and can vouch for its type, and then only if it can help you get to the nearest exit when cornered by fire. The bottom line is, it is never safe to tackle a fire unless you have been trained to do so, and it is no longer deemed safe enough to be trained how to do so. Part of my best and most useful fire training course involved going into a training building at the Fire station which was then set on fire. We all had BA sets and were supervised by Firefighters. We were never in any danger and we got to put the fire out. It was brilliant! We were taught how to get out of a smoke filled bulding as well as how to search one for people as the Fire Service do, all whilst the buiding was on fire. The course was also timed to coincide with the latest intake of trainee Firefighters, we as apprentices in the chemical industry were well impressed with the whole set-up and a few lads asked about signing up as firefighters instead. You missed out there, sorry for the ramble Kev. i just wanted to have a go with one, like i said i hope i would NEVER need to use one, but i would still quite like a go all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Years ago I did a course where we DID have a go putting out flaming petrol with CO2 extinguishers (which were black in them days). Top tip - never put your hand on the metal part of the extinguisher because it gets very very cold and you can get freeze burns. If your hand is wet it'll stick. I taught science in a lab with a fire extinguisher for nine years without ever being trained in what to do with it. Our drill is: get kids out, shut the windows and door, get out yourself. That wasn't much help when our technician dropped a bottle of concentrated sulphuric acid in the prep room and filled the building with fumes. We got everyone out safely, then the fire brigade, disguised as yellow teletubbies in their chemical suits, came within seconds of spraying it with water (BIG NO-NO ) It took ten very panicky science teachers to prevent them from doing so. I thought they were supposed to consult their hazard info before treating chemical spills???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Well don't want to make you all jealous, but I use fire extinguishers most days, because I am an Extinguisher Technician, It's nothing to get exited about once you have set them off a few times, the foam ones are messy but you are not allowed to empty them in the street any more so there is no mess really, nothing to it at all, all in a days work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Years ago I did a course where we DID have a go putting out flaming petrol with CO2 extinguishers (which were black in them days). Top tip - never put your hand on the metal part of the extinguisher because it gets very very cold and you can get freeze burns. If your hand is wet it'll stick. I taught science in a lab with a fire extinguisher for nine years without ever being trained in what to do with it. Our drill is: get kids out, shut the windows and door, get out yourself. That wasn't much help when our technician dropped a bottle of concentrated sulphuric acid in the prep room and filled the building with fumes. We got everyone out safely, then the fire brigade, disguised as yellow teletubbies in their chemical suits, came within seconds of spraying it with water (BIG NO-NO ) It took ten very panicky science teachers to prevent them from doing so. I thought they were supposed to consult their hazard info before treating chemical spills???? My blood went cold when I read that Surely that is the first thing they are taught about Sulphuric acid I learned it in school chemistry 25 years ago and I still remember it Still if you want a new science block on the insurance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 In Sheffield you could get fireman to come round in their engine to your house to install your smoke alarm. I went on a course for my PhD where I had to know all the types of fire extinguisher to put out fires in my department. Everyone had to go, then take refresher courses online every year. He set off the CO2 one to demonstrate the noise. I don't think they coiuld afford to let people have a go as so many, but I think it would make sense as I would feel nervous about using one for the first time in a fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Many years ago I was a car racing marshall ( you know the poor souls in orange overals that hang aroung race tracks) and got sent on a car fire course as part of my training. I spent a whole day letting off foam & powder extinguishers .............great fun although my fringe was a little frizzled from the heat. My current boss heard about this and decided I could be the fire marshall at work.........as far as I am aware I just have to get everyone out as fast as possible ( no one has ever bothered to tell me exactly what I am supposed to do, even when I asked !) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I'm, fire warden here at work too - nothing too onerous, but I get to do the fire drills - always choose the worst weather though I used to work at a 'big place' in London and they had their own fire department of two ex-firefighters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I'm, fire warden here at work too - nothing too onerous, but I get to do the fire drills - always choose the worst weather though I usually wait until all the guys are at tea break or if I'm feeling really mean wait until one pour soul has just gone into the gents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 There was a fire drill at the sports centre a montha go - I'd just finished circuit training and it was rather cold outside after all that rushing about. the pool was cleared and they were all stood poolside in foil blankets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Pour souls! Whenever I go to the health spa I dread the alarm going - just when you've been smothered in avocado, lemon juice and oatmeal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
