Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company
By STUMP MARTIN
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
ROCK SPRING, Ga. — Walker County Fire and Rescue Chief Randy Camp said he has been burned three times fighting fires and he has been on three calls where a firefighter died.
“I had to go get the family of one of the firemen that died fighting a fire,” he said. “That was a difficult situation.”
But those experiences didn’t make it any easier when one of his firefighters, Leslie Edwards, 25, was burned seriously last week when a porch collapsed as he fought a house fire.
Chief Camp said a firefighter tries not to think about the danger of the job.
“I guess you always know that it can happen to you, but it’s something you don’t want to think about,” he said.
When the front porch collapsed outward and trapped Mr. Edwards, the chief said, Lt. James Yearout dived in and injured himself as he dug his comrade out.
“Like James told me, there was no way he was leaving Leslie behind,” Chief Camp said.
Mr. Edwards remained in Erlanger hospital’s burn unit after two skin grafts on Friday.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press sat down with Chief Camp to talk about the dangers of firefighting. The former lieutenant for the Atlanta Fire Department said he fell in love with firefighting as an 18-year-old volunteer during his first call.
Q: What type training do firemen go through to learn to overcome tough situations when rescuing victims or fellow firefighters in danger?
A: Walker County Emergency Services tries to simulate “real-life” situations in a controlled environment inside our live fire training containers with firefighters training with smoke and heat. Firefighters practice search and rescue techniques and are taught search patterns. Firefighters are also taught self-survival techniques similar to those delivered in the Georgia Smoke Diver program.
Technology is now playing a role in search and rescue. Thermal imaging cameras are now being used to locate persons inside structures. Firefighters also are taught bailout techniques using ropes, fire hose and ladders.
The self-contained breathing apparatus Walker County Emergency Services recently received through the Fire Grant Act are equipped with personal accountability safety system devices. If the firefighter is trapped or downed and does not move for one minute, the alarm will sound and will continue to sound until the firefighter is rescued.
Q: What is the biggest fear of a firefighter?
A: What I hear the most is their concern about their ability to perform in stressful situations. I have heard many firefighters say what they fear most is the day they respond to a structure fire and can hear someone screaming and they can’t get to them.
I was working as a firefighter assigned to an engine company and my crew pulled up on a structure fire where the resident had attempted to escape the fire and was trapped at the burglar bars located between the fire and the outside. Our crew pulled a hose line to protect the lady while another crew entered to the structure to reach her. While the crew was entering the structure, the fire flashed over and we were unable to save the lady. There are still times when I think about that call. You do all that you are supposed to do, all you are trained to do, and sometimes still the effort is not enough.
Q: When so many firefighters died in rescue efforts in New York during 9/11, did firefighting become more or less popular?
A: Both. The public realized how dangerous the job is and gave the job the firefighters do more respect. Before 9/11, citizens who saw you in a restaurant may come up to you and pat you on the back, but after 9/11, citizens were flagging down waitresses to get your check or calling fire headquarters or sending cards just to let you know how much they appreciate what you do for the community.
At the same time, because the public now recognizes the inherent danger in the job, fewer people seem willing to take the risk to become a firefighter, moreover a volunteer firefighter.
Q: Do firefighters talk about their fears?
A: Some do and some don’t. Many firefighters look at the job as being a macho image. However, divorce rates among emergency services is high, and that is part of the reason critical incident stress debriefings were implemented. ... Many times, family members and friends are unable to relate to or understand the stress placed on the emergency responder.
Q: What do you say to your firefighters when one is injured or lost?
A: If a firefighter is injured on the scene and is transported for treatment, subsequent arriving units do not discuss the injury. The crews have to focus at that point on the job at hand -- extinguishing the fire. Later, crews are briefed on the injury and the condition of the injured firefighter. ... We will analyze the accident to learn how we can prevent a similar situation in the future.
If a firefighter is trapped or unaccounted for on a fire scene, it is a very different situation. The crew will sound “emergency traffic” followed by “Mayday” three times. This will activate the Rapid Intervention Team. The RIT team’s sole purpose on the scene is to stand by in the event a firefighter becomes trapped or disoriented and needs rescue. All efforts are made to take care of the firefighter, and then crews have to return to their original job of firefighting.
Q: What attracts people to want to be firefighters?
A: Most have a desire to help others. They want to do a job that is respected and is something they can take pride in doing.
Q: As a veteran fire chief, what piece of advice do you share most with your firefighters?
A: The best advice I give our new members is to follow our core values. Honesty and integrity, regardless of the outcome.
The pursuit of excellence, through continuous training and planning. Unwavering commitment to our community.
To inspire each other through pride in our organization, which is a belief that people are the strength of the team.
Finally, what I try to emphasize to new members is this: As we rise to meet the new culture on the horizon, we hold fast to the truth that on all levels we need to become champions.