Culminating Blog Reflection

 The capstone project was harder then I thought it would be at first. With all of the different aspects of the project I felt like it was never going to end. All of the other projects I've experienced throughout my high school year's were no comparison, so I must say this was the most complex and difficult. While completing a numerous number of hours at the fire station, I worked along with my mentor, Captain Todd Real. Together we went on ride along's and investigated scenes while he would explain and let me know what is going on .We worked with other firemen on training and teaching me a bunch of important techniques to use in my future fire career that will be helpful. I always would question a lot of things that way I could  know the correct answer. By doing this I gained a better understanding of what was going on and why it was happening.
     I learned that the fire service uses and really strives off collaboration, Creativity,and  Communication. Without collaboration and communication in the fire service nothing would ever get done.From shift changing's, to fighting a fire they always use these three things. If they don't collaborate and communicate during a fire that fire doesn't get put and they leave the risk of others getting hurt. Creativity in the fire service is very interesting period. Its amazing creative some of the firemen get which I never thought was possible. When planning how to attack a fire it takes a lot of creativity because you have to find the safest way possible to put it out. It takes a huge amount of brain power and creativity to get a job like that done. This is one of the many reasons I am so interested in this career because I like to solve puzzles and be very creative.
     I think overall, I gained a very detailed insight on what a firemen's life is really all about. From all the calls we went on, to the training, and just relationship between everyone their was very inspiring to me. Personally, I learned that some things take a lot of patience and just happen every night. Things need to be kept getting worked at until they are mastered and you feel comfortable about them. I learned that speaking clear and having great communication skills plays a huge role in almost everything. When working in a small group or a big group of firemen it always very important for every single one us to be fully educated on the same things. I gained a lot of knowledge about all of the engines, tools and equipment that are used today. Throughout this process I got exposed to how they test their tools and equipment to make sure they meet all of their requirements.
     When first starting my hours at the station, I had absolutely no idea what was in store for me then on. Being exposed to a completely new and different environment to me was very overwhelming. Learning about all of the specialized tools and equipment that the firemen use was very interesting to learn about. To overcome my fear and discomfort before I got to know the firemen better I just kept asking my mentor a ton of amounts of questions to become more familiar with my surroundings. Every time he would answer one of my questions I would become more and more comfortable. Soon enough it became a lot more easier to communicate with everyone because I finally felt as I was an actual fire fighter and had been accepted to the family. 
 

Final Day Doing My Hours May 4,2014

Today is the last and final day I spent at the station to finish up the rest of my hours for capstone. Its been a great experience and has played a huge impact on what my decisions will be for my future. All the things I've learned and experienced so far have made me a lot more passionate about becoming a actual firemen and being able to save peoples life's. Its kind of cool knowing that firemen and everyone of that nature are looked at as everyday hero's because they do everything. When you need something, they are there in a matter of minutes to help you in every way they can no matter the situation. My visits are always very fun and I always look forward to them. Well anyways today I came in early again today at 9:00 to learn some more cool and interesting things about this career. Today is Sunday which means its the day to clean up the station and take inventory. First we would all have a nice good breakfast, Chirico burritos to be specific. After we were done eating we would clean up are mess and head down stairs to begin are long day. We started off by washing the trucks and cleaning all the compartments on the outside with all the tools and stuff. As we were finishing up cleaning we had to respond to some non-emergency calls and were away from the station for a while. When we did return to the station we picked up where we had left off and cleaned up all the cleaning materials we used. We finished all of that by about 1:30-2:00. After we got ready for some more training.The training objective for today was to learn how to hook up and use a hose. We started off slow as they explained to me how to do everything while I just listened. We worked together to hook the hose up to the engine and then practiced are holding position. I always thought it was easy to just pick up the hose, pull the handle back and just let the water flow but it was quite just that. Their are specific ways to hold and position your body while controlling the hose that way you don't hurt yourself. They thought me to bend my knees, hold the handle out front, hold the hose in my arm like a football, lean forward and open the hose slowly so it doesn't knock me off my feet. We sprayed the water into a special thing they use to recycle the water so its not just wasted. They explained to me how the pressure coming out of the hose can be controlled on the truck and how to do it. Its not hard but just a lot of buttons to remember to push. Good example of how practice makes perfect so that you wont forget when you need to know how to do it. By the time we were finishing up it was already time for dinner. It was a long but quick day but learned so much more and there's still more to it, I just learned the basics. We were done with are training for the day so we drained the hoses and rolled them back up then pulled the engine back into the garage. Now it was time to head up stairs to relax and eat before they went to sleep and I had to go. So of course they treated me once again to a nice dinner.We had some more good detailed conversations about becoming a firemen and some of their stories they wanted to share with me. After dinner they were all getting ready to go get some rest so it was time for me to say my good bye's and  thank you's then take off. Another great day at the station and i couldn't be more thankful. I will be back their soon.

Time logged for this session: 10
Total time logged: 29

My Forth Day At The Station May 3,2014

This weekend will be the last weekend I spend at the station to conclude my final hours for capstone. I will still be following up at the station after these hours are completed but as far as capstone goes these hours will be completed. Today I came in early to get in a couple hours done before I had to take off for work. I was excited to come in today like always. Feeling a little tired and a little stressed out about the project going to the station today really picked up my emotions and encouraged me to focus more on the things that are sill in my control. Today when I got in we had breakfast and then we were off to do some training. Today's training goals were learn what ways we could take on a wildfire on sign hill or San Bruno hill depending on the destination of the fire, the area the fire is in, where the closest source of water is, and the direction in which the wind is blowing. We will need all of those things to determine the way we would need take the fire on and where we would need to deploy are personal shield in the safest place possible. If the fire on the hill is close to a residential area we would need to evacuate all the citizens and remove anything in the general area surrounding it that can and may catch fire. After training we would go back to the station to relax a little bit and talk about what I learned today.When we were done talking, I was off to work.I feel like every time I'm at the station this career just becomes bigger and bigger for me. There are so many things to learn and know about, its crazy. Every time I come in I learn so many new things and stuff that is so interesting. I can/t wait to actually beginning my journey to perusing my childhood dream besides baseball. All I know is that its right around the corner.

Time logged for this session: 4hrs
Total time logged: 19hrs