[Magdalen] Prayers, please

[Grace Cangialosi]

Update:
Chrissy said it went well—she “messed up” the hose lay, but the captain said they did a good job. My daughter-in-law filled in a few details. Just two members of the class went in with a captain, and the fire reached 900 degrees before they started. She said they burn hay bales or pallets to get it started.
Anyway, the written test is today. Next week they start the EMT training, and since she’s already a certified EMT, she’s looking forward to that!
Thank you for your prayers.

> On Sep 19, 2018, at 11:56 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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 In my experience, now out-of-date: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*
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>