Keado’s Weblog

Day 6 www.manlyfire.org.nz 10 day challenge

November 16, 2010 at 9:09 am (10 day challenge www.manlyfire.org.nz)

Day 6 and got to sleep in a little later than the past few days _ Tamati from Tv1 Breakfast was due to join us for a live feed but the outside crew got called away at the last minute, so no fame and fortune for us.

Starting time was set at 6:15 and had a nice morning cycle to Z-Pier at the Marina around 5:30 just to see if they had delivered my new launch, apparently it’s still on the way. Two engines this morning from Manly and [I think] Silverdale, bundles of hoses, hard hats and gloves all set out for us. Fire crew got into full battle gear which started some concern amongst the “civilians” as we soon to learn. The full crews had their opening morning drill and the civilians then joined into formation.

First order of business was fire-hard-hat, gloves and 75m hose – time to learn how to roll out a hose. Drop the nose down, foot on, roll up in the air and go.Nose is supposed to stay and roll unfolds as you go – except when I did it the nose followed, not just once! Got the hang of it eventually – not so fun part is having to roll them up again. Few more training bits then onto the fun part of holding a 75kg hose with a water weight of 100kg’s, spraying into the open – boys will be boys..

We had 1 hose to contend with – at last week’s fire, they had 6 hoses combined for a fighting time of 6 hours at the brush fire = respect. Loads of fun and last one was a “joint assault” where we have 5 teams, each on a hose literally shoulder to shoulder joining water streams. This is one tactic when heading into a blaze and teamwork so important – getting low, advancing step by step with soaked grounding as we advanced – Mr Fireman!!!

…and if you live in the Gulf Harbour-Manly surrounding area, please donate to the challengers – $2 is affordable – don’t have a credit card I’ll come around and collect!