AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Our Fire Department got called out yesterday for mutual aid to a nearby town that has no hydrants. The local FD has to erect a portable water "pond" to draft out of, and four other Fire Departments in the area responded with everything from tankers, pumpers, to our ladder truck, but the house was too far gone before anyone got there to save anything. The house was down a dirt lane and hard to get equipment into, and there was a 300 gallon propane tank that was a real concern near the house. The couple in the house was elderly, with the husband in a wheelchair, but they both got out safely. A car that they had parked next to the house was also destroyed. It's always sad for a Fire Department to not be able to save as much of a building as possible, but the owners are alright, and can rebuild.

The first sign of the fire

(Download)

The car

(Download)

The portable tank

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

AuntieM, you did a great job on getting those images. I've photographed numerous fires around here. Here's a hint. Burn copies of all the photos you took and bring the CDs to the respective fire departments that were involved. The fire fighters love em. They rarely get photos of themselves working.
--Bob

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I routinely make CDs for the individual fire fighters in our Department that want them (I call those guys the "smoked hams") and this time I made CDs for the other Departments plus the Fire Marshall to help in his investigation. The CDs also catch the guys doing things that they should not be doing from time to time, and thus become teaching aids for more training. I love doing it - everyone has their jobs, and this is mine. Thanks for looking and your kind comments.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

AuntieM, your comment about "catching the guys..." brings to mind many of the fire fighters and water dept. workers constant cautions to watch what they do in public. I understand, but the vast majority of the folks don't.

The normal routine for both fire fighters and water dept. employees is not what they were originally hoping to be doing. Fighting fires, or working in trenches with pipes and stuff. The fire fighters are answer emergency medical calls and the water dept. guys are simply closing and opening valves as a preventive maintenance to make sure they work when needed. Thus, not doing what they really love doing.

No one wants a building to burn down, or a water main to burst. However, when that happens these folks are ecstatic. They are just warned with the abundance of cameras out there now, don't show your excitement. Just do your job.

It's good that you share your photos with the guys. In my case, it helped in not being ordered out of an area and thus better photos.
--Bob

FrodoBaggins Loc: Texas

Sad but stunning shots! That next to last is very well shot with that light! Thank God for our brave firefighters!

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

By "catching the guys" I meant not following proper procedure, or doing something the hard way when there was an easier way to do it. By "catching" something this way, the officers can address the problem right away before bad habits are formed. I have never "caught" any of the guys, either ours or another FD behaving disrespectfully at a fire scene. They are constantly training, and we have three steel containers welded together in an H formation for them to train in, and a training tower that the guys built for rapelling practice that is the only one in our "side" of the county (which is 90 miles from end to end). Living on the coast of NC, we also have a water rescue boat and crew that are certified divers as well, and EMS crews that work hand in hand with them. I am not allowed in the buildings, nor would I want to go inside, especially with my camera, but with several of my lenses, I can get some decent shots. Now I have to get a pair of flame resistant boots, and start wearing my FD pants, even though they are hard to move around in and limit my movements for setting up shots. Ah well, like you said, all the better for not getting ordered out and being able to get some really good photos.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I agree with thank God for our Fire Fighters. After many years of taking photos at actual fires as well as practice burns, I can't imagine how they do their jobs with all the equipment on that they have to wear. I have a pair of Department issued pants that I am supposed to wear. The last time I wore them and got down on the ground for a shot, I could not get back up and had to have a passing firefighter help me to my feet - how embarassing that was. I appreciate you looking at the photos and your kind comments. The later shots were with the sun setting, so I was fortunate to have that background lighting.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

:thumbup: :thumbup:

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Thanks for taking the time to view my post and your "thumbs up."

FrodoBaggins Loc: Texas

👍🏼

merrytexan Loc: georgia

my favorites are #11 of the lone fireman spraying water on the fire and # 13 of the 4 firemen. you did a great job.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Thanks for taking a look and your kind comments. We are doing mostly water rescues now with the tourists going to Cape Lookout Seashore and being stupid. We are going to have a week of over 90 degrees with upwards of 70% humidity. Not a good time to be fighting fires in protective gear.