Firefighter

Firefighter

arringnl

32 Years Experience

Goose Creek, SC

Male, 54

Currently serving Jasper County Fire Rescue in south Carolina along with Charleston County EMS.

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476 Questions

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Last Answer on June 29, 2022

Best Rated

Do fire trucks have water IN them, or do you always need to find a hydrant?

Asked by Cassi over 10 years ago

Yes, anywhere from 300 to 1500 gallons which doesnt last long. Generally you have about 4 min of waterflow.

Post-9/11, did you get special treatment around your town? Free meals, free drinks, or even just handshakes and kind words? How long did that last?

Asked by K. Rembold over 10 years ago

Yes, we were treated to cookies and such and a different appreciation for what we do and our familes sacrifces throught out our careers. I always remind my to boys who are  deputy sheriff's that people like firemen better. lol

How badly have you been burned in a fire? What kind of protection from heat do standard firefighter suits provide?

Asked by emily_kessler over 10 years ago

I have managed to stay burn free utilizing my gear, but most of my and our injuries are back injury, falls, of the such.

What does it mean when you see black smoke vs. white smoke?

Asked by Mckenzie over 10 years ago

Black smoke is incomplete combustion from the fire it hasnt reached peak combustion and white smoke is usually seen as extinguishment is being achieved. But certain chemicals can produce the same effects also.

How do you figure out if a fire was arson?

Asked by Gordie30 over 10 years ago

Numerous ways. We can look at the area of what we suspect being the location where the fire started and can usually see a burn pattern which looks like a upside down triangle as the fire spreads upwards. Chemical samples of the debris, Detection K9's are many of the tools that we use. But sometimes due to the amount of damage you can't always tell.

Stupid question but, why is the fire department responsible for getting cats out of trees?

Asked by Grizmatic over 10 years ago

Who else is going to do it. Believe it or not cats will usually come down by themselves. When was the last time you saw a cat skeleton in a tree.

In movies and TV, firefighters run directly through flames, like when they're running in or out of a burning house. Is that realistic? Does your gear allow you to do that?

Asked by slowburn over 10 years ago

No it isnt realistic. Imagine in the summertime during the middle of the day you throwing on a parka put a blindfold on and put a helmet on and go into a perfect stranger house and find the remote control in the living room. Not going to able see much. gonna be hot and stumbling over stuff. Any firefighter that says he doesnt get nervous going in is not a smart firefighter and will get him or others hurt.