[Magdalen] Prayers, please

[Grace Cangialosi]

I imagine most of her work around here will be brush fires and wildfires.

She’s a certified EMT and has had the training for jaws-of-life, helicopter loading and unloading and has unfortunately worked a couple of fatal car accidents. She also responded to one call that turned out to be a friend of theirs and performed CPR all the way to the hospital, but the woman died.
She’s with the Albemarle Fire/Rescue Department and will probably be assigned to the Scottsville squad, which is going from volunteer to paid.
All the fire/rescue companies are having trouble getting volunteers now, which isn’t surprising, given people’s work schedules.

> On Sep 19, 2018, at 11:20 AM, cady soukup <cadyasoukup at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> In my experience, now out-of-date: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*
>>>> 
>>> 
>>