Volunteering From a Firefighters Perspective

The word "volunteer" is described as a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking without pay. Our townships are only too lucky to have such people who reside within the cornerstones of our towns. They volunteer their time, their knowledge, their compassion for life and human nature. They are steadfast, vigilant and have a keen sense of awareness.While there are many types of community volunteers, this writing details an inside look into the volunteer firefighter, specifically one of the Berkeley Heights Fire Department.Being married to a firefighter for some 25+ years, I can tell you that there’s never a time that I don’t pray for his safe return as you never know what a firefighter will encounter as they enter a scene.Firefighters as we know them are trained to determine the scope of a scene and how to safely manage the successful outcome, all while protecting the victim, the property and themselves. 

We see firefighters as brave souls who give of themselves day in and day out, however, there is much to learn about the men and women who protect and serve. Here is an inside look from the volunteer firefighter. Perhaps you will be surprised as to some of the information that follows and ultimately will appreciate those that serve under the Maltese cross.

The following is an interview of with a Berkeley Heights Volunteer firefighter and former chief who has been on the department for 31 years.

Q: Why did you join the fire department?

A: I joined the fire department to be able to help people in their time of need. To bring calm to chaos. My uncle Matt Fornaro had gotten me involved in it when I was young by telling me “I needed to join”, so I did and haven’t regretted that day since.

Q: How many hours of training does it take for a person to become a volunteer firefighter?

A:  The state of NJ requires Firefighter 1 certification which is a minimum of 150 hours. Some towns require volunteers to go to Firefighter 2 training which is an additional 100 hours just like the township of Berkeley Heights.

Q: How many pounds of gear do you wear when you suit up for a call?

A:  Full turn out gear with an air pack is approximately 75 pounds. We use this gear when responding to any type of structural or car fires.

Q: Your firefighter boots are fitted with steel. Why?

A: Our boots have three areas of steel in them. The toes, the shank, which is in the sole, and the shin. The steel helps to protect us from stepping on sharp objects.

Q: What types of safety gear and additions are on your turnout gear to further protect a firefighter?

A:  We have reflective, high visibility stripes on our jackets. We also use a PASS (Personal Alert Safety System) device. When a firefighter becomes incapacitated or becomes trapped, if he does not move for more than 60 seconds, it emits a loud, ear piercing signal which would indicate a firefighter in trouble, thus a rescue team would be sent in to retrieve the down firefighter.

Q: What types of safety tests does a firefighter go through yearly to maintain a safe and healthy volunteer?

A:  The fire department requires an annual physical exam and FIT test. A FIT test makes sure that the face piece of our air pack fits tightly and that our lungs are in good shape. We are also required to have annual refresher courses in basic firefighting as well as new methods of firefighting.

Q: How hot can a typical house fire get inside?

A: Anywhere from 400 to 1200 degrees depending on the type of fire and the contents.

Q: What are the risks involved when entering a house fire?

A:  There are a several.

• A back draft, which is when fresh air is introduced to a hot, smoky fire. It could cause an explosion of fire.
• A flash over, which is when the temperature in the room reaches what they call an auto ignition point and everything in the room catches fire at once, including the firefighters gear. Contrary to belief there is no such thing as fireproof. Only fire resistant. Believe it or not, the manufacturers label inside of our gear states that the gear should not be subjected to open flame. It seems that everything has a burning point, even metal.
• Holes in the floor due to fire burning under the floor that you’re working on i.e., a cellar fire while we’re crawling in the front door. 

Those are just some of the hazards of a structure fire. Just to name a few other hazards, there is electrocution, tangling up in hanging, burning wires. Remember that for a homeowner it is easy to navigate through their own house when it’s dark. For a firefighter who does not know the layout of a house it’s a strange environment to begin with, let alone, going through an unknown house when you can’t see through dark, thick smoke.

Q: Do all the volunteers enter a house fire or are there auxiliary jobs that are just as important to fighting a fire?

A:  No, not all the firefighters enter the house as there are many other jobs to do such as stretching hose lines to the house, performing ventilation by breaking windows if necessary, cutting holes in the roof, placing exhaust fans. Ventilation is for two purposes. First to remove the smoke and to dissipate the heat to help us make entry. There are those that set up ground ladders which can help make access to the house and make a secondary exit in case the firefighter has to bail out of the second floor. Some set up lighting during night calls, some change out air bottles for the firefighters working inside the structure, and many other important jobs to help keep us safe and protected as well as helping to fight the fire. This is why volunteer fire departments are always looking for new members as there are lots of jobs to be done.

Q: What are the dangers and risks when responding to a car accident or car fire?

A:  Getting run over by a car. There are often times when people are so busy looking at what happened, that they don’t pay attention to their driving. This happens especially on calls on the highway.  Actual car fires are very dangerous due to the amount of plastics and toxic materials that cars are made out of now. 

Q: Is it true that a car can explode after an accident like you see so often portrayed on television?

A: Most car explosions that are portrayed on television and in the movies are greatly exaggerated. While cars do explode when on fire, the explosions aren’t nearly as big as you see on TV simply because the gas tank will explode but it’s more like a big pop and then the gasoline pours on the ground and catches on fire. Tires will pop too.

Q: What are some of the more memorable scenes or aided events you’ve done?

A: The most memorable would be the Gollob Analytical Services plant fire on Industrial Road back in 1988 due to the severity of the fire and the unknown chemicals that we faced. The unfortunate fatalities and the evacuation of the downtown area which put my family at risk.  Another would be while my wife was on the Ladies Auxiliary we had a house fire on a very cold winter’s night. My wife and the entire Ladies Auxiliary, which supports the firemen, were standing by at the firehouse waiting for our return and when I walked in, my wife hardly recognized me do to the fact that my entire face and turnout gear was covered in ice from fighting the fire.

Q: What do you find most gratifying about being a volunteer firefighter?

A:  Of course I find being able to help others extremely gratifying and a humbling experience, but there are other rewards that I gain as well from being a volunteer firefighter such as the comrade of the other firefighters, knowing that any one of them would save my back during a call.

Q: Any other final comments?

A: Although we’re called volunteers, we are still required to be highly trained professionals just like a paid firefighter. Volunteering is a gratifying experience especially when you know you’ve helped someone or saved a life.

The fire department could always use more volunteers. If anyone ever has any questions about what we do, how to volunteer or join the fire department, we are always at the fire department on Wednesday nights doing training drills. We’d love to talk to you and answer any questions you may have.

We are located at 411 Hamilton Avenue, Berkeley Heights. You can also visit our website at: http://www.berkeleyheightsfire.com/ If you’re a facebook user, “Like” us by searching, “Berkeley Heights Volunteer Fire Department”.

To sum up this writing, I offer you this “Firefighters Poem” which is a true testament to all volunteer firefighters.

A firefighters life is one big surprise, usually they laugh, sometimes they cry.There's always stress, toil and strife,hoping they are good enough to save one life.Their families understand, when they miss dinner,if they run out of church, don't think they are sinners.Answering a call, is tops on their list,regretting each one they have ever missed.They try and try, but can't make us see,the happiest people, still work for free.Jumping from bed, fighting the cold,knowing what to do without being told.They rush to the station, jump on the truck,depending on skill never on luck.Putting their life on the line for an unknown friend,hoping and praying it won't be the end."The bravest people in the world", the title is fitting,they all do their best, never come close to quitting.Next time you see them, all their lights blinking,Take just a minute, to think what they are thinking.- Poems Author Unknown