[Magdalen] Prayers, please

[cady soukup]

In my experience, now out-of-date:

Our controlled burns were generally out-buildings or old houses that a
landowner wanted destroyed. The fire department trainers would examine
and strategize every element: structural soundness, where to place the
fires (the "controlled" part of the controlled burn), where to place
observers/helpers, each of whom had a live fire hose ready. Since it
was in full gear (helmet+tyvek headcover+facemask and compressed air
tank+ full boots+farmer-john-overalls+coat+gloves), the sheer weight
of the gear ends up being heavy and limiting, especially hauling a
live fire hose (some crawling, some walking, some climbing).

It's intimidating, but after all the training and rehearsal to get
there, it's not overwhelming.

We ended up doing far more brush fires than house fires (they are
their own form of difficult, with heavy water packs and unrelenting
procedures after-the-fact to ensure that all hot-spots have been
doused), although chimney fires were a constant, too. Usually the
chimney fires were not devastating, depending on the house
construction. Unfortunately, given our rural area, once a house is
truly on fire, it tends to be all-consuming by the time the
(all-volunteer) fire trucks and fire fighters arrive on scene. Those
are really difficult.

Locally, firefighters and fire trucks are also called out for traffic
accidents for human-power (extrication and lifting), traffic control,
and vehicle extrication, if needed. That's a whole different line of
expertise.

Cady

On 9/19/18, Jay Weigel <jay.weigel at gmail.com> wrote:
> The "controlled burn" is just that. She'll have lots of support. I wouldn't
> do it either, but I have lots of respect for those who do. I have a friend
> (female) who's a paramedic and firefighter and I wouldn't do the second
> half of her job for anything, but she loves it. Keep that verse from Isaiah
> in your mind.
>
> On Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 10:10 AM Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I’m not questioning that she knows what she’s doing. So do all
>> professional firefighters, but fire is still dangerous—and unpredictable.
>> We had to evacuate from a forest fire when I was six, so maybe I’m just
>> overly paranoid.
>>
>> > On Sep 19, 2018, at 9:44 AM, Marion Thompson
>> > <marionwhitevale at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > Knowledge is power and Chrissy knows what she is doing.  Be not afraid.
>> >
>> > Marion, a pilgrim
>> >
>> > Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>> >
>> > From: Grace Cangialosi
>> > Sent: September 19, 2018 9:43 AM
>> > To: magdalen
>> > Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Prayers, please
>> >
>> > That's reassuring, Cady--thanks.  (Of course, you also go into dark
>> caves,
>> > which would be just as terrifying to me!)
>> >
>> >> On Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 9:41 AM cady soukup <cadyasoukup at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Been there, done that, learned a lot, survived & thrived.
>> >>
>> >> Prayers anyway.
>> >>
>> >> Cady
>> >> EMT, W-EMT, Firefighter II  -
>> >> all prior to starting a family ...
>> >>
>> >> On Wednesday, September 19, 2018, Ginga Wilder <gingawilder at gmail.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> Prayers for Chrissy that she will safely and brilliantly accomplish
>> this
>> >>> unimaginable exercise.  Thank you, Lord, for first responders.
>> >>>
>> >>> Ginga
>> >>>
>> >>> On Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 8:59 AM Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
>> >>> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> My granddaughter Chrissy, who is 24, is in training to become a
>> >>>> professional firefighter. She’s been volunteering with the local
>> >>>> fire/rescue squad for about five years, but there have been limits
>> >>>> on
>> >>> what
>> >>>> she’s allowed to do.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> The training has been grueling, but so far she’s been doing well.
>> >>>> Today she will go into a controlled building burn for the first
>> >>>> time,
>> >>>> something I can’t even imagine. She’ll be evaluated on her
>> performance.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> We’re all just a little nervous. I find the whole idea absolutely
>> >>>> terrifying. So I’d like to ask for your prayers. I’m not sure what
>> time
>> >>>> this is going to happen.
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Grace Cangialosi
>> > Ruckersville, VA
>> >
>> > *"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with
>> great
>> > love."*
>> > *St. Teresa of Calcutta*
>> >
>>
>