Fire fighters beat the heat

NEWEST FIREFIGHTERS: Danielle Watson-Smith (in the truck) with Josh Hobbs, left, and Barry Romero are the Whangamata Fire Brigades newly qualified trio. Photo/Lesley Staniland

Seven days of theory and physically demanding exercises tested the skills and stamina of
three Whangamata Fire Brigade recruits who this month attained the status of firefighters.

The trio - Danielle WatsonSmith, Josh Hobbs and Barry Romero - underwent tests on hose handling and rolling up, breathing aparatus, ladder use, fire extinguishers, fire behaviour and much more at their course at the National Training Centre in Rotorua.

Included in the seven-day test was a"must-pass"two-day first aid course, behaviour at fires, handling forest fires, what to do if they run out of air, entry techniques and air cooling techniques.

All three found the toughest assignment was entering, manoeuvering through and exiting a smoke-filled tunnel heated to 65 deg Celsius while wearing their heavy uniforms and a full BA weighing about 25kg.

Then later, they were required to repeat the exercise with a partner and, at the same time, roll a 20kg drum through.

Searching techniques - using feet or backs of hands where the possibility of exposed electrical wires created a risk-were also included, as were search and rescue exercises.

"If you're feeling around with the palm of your hand you're likely to grab what you feel but if you use the back of your hand .you'll jerk away from something - valuable, specially if there are live wires around," Danielle said.

Allthree joined as recruits in May last year and waited until this month to do their NTC tests to ensure they were fully prepared.

Danielle said she joined because her flatmate, Daniel Jamieson was a firefighter, "and he made it sound exciting. And it's a good feeling being able to help people."

Both Barry and Josh had had ambitions of becoming firefighters for some time but it wasn't till they both moved to Whangamata, where they were within easy reach of the fire station,that they were able to fulfil those ambitions.

Barry works for Elite Windows, Josh for New World and Danielle for the Whangamata Club. All are full of praise for the generosity of their employers, allowing them to down tools as soon as the pager goes off and rush off to fight a fire, help with lifting medical patients, performing CPR or first aid, attending a crash scene or just washing down a diesel spill.

Danielle, who stands at only 5-feet tall and has been described as "vertically challenged", has found the most difficult tasks are hose handling and even climbing into the fire trucks - especially the older one.

"The hoses are very heavy and the steps up to the truck are a challenge," she says. "Becoming a firefighter has been good for my fitness."

All three will continue their studies. They now proudly hold the title of fire fighter and the next step is qualified fire fighter.

"There's always something new to learn," they said.