Training Day

Saturday was the Open House at our local fire department. Chuck was on shift that day so Sean and I stayed at Chuck's and had a day with Lilly. We invited Kyle to come along with us for the Open House because they were training for extrication and would be using the big tools to cut cars. He loved it the last time we took him with us to visit the fire station, so we thought he'd enjoy watching the guys work.

It was a busy day for us. We picked up Kyle and went back to Chuck's for a quick breakfast before heading to the fire station. We got there and they were lifting a car. While that is important work and all, it was a bit slow for the boys. Not much action, and not much to see. Just air being pumped into a special square mat that inflates to slowly lift a car that has landed on its side.

Chuck said they would be cutting the car after lunch, so we headed back home and the boys explored the property until time to go back.

Jaws of Life.

This was more our speed. The guys were scurrying around, cutting the windshield, jamming those Jaws of Life into the door and prying it open.

They use these cutters that cut through the metal so they can get to the patient trapped inside the car.

These cars come from the wrecking yard. The guys train with them, cut them up, burn them or whatever, then they are hauled away and another one gets dropped off for the next training exercise.

It was fun to watch. Kyle and Sean were really well-behaved and paid attention, and we all got to hang out with Chuck while he supervised the training. They were almost finished cutting the car up when a medical call came through. Chuck sent a few on the call and the rest stayed to finish the training.
We bought a few things at the rummage sale, then headed for home to eat some lunch and hang out until time to take Kyle home. We were loving the warm, sunny day.