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June 4th, 2010
Firefighters conduct drills using Del City apartments
In late May, if anyone had referred to a group of firefighters who intentionally and repeatedly set and extinguished an apartment blaze in 90- to 100-degree heat as fools, no offense would have be taken. In fact, those firefighters would proudly tell anyone that they were indeed fools.
For them, FOOLS is an acronym for the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, which includes more than seven thousand members around the world and is not used in relation to foolish behavior on their part. The chapter in Oklahoma even has shirts and ball caps adorned with the word FOOLS for its firefighting members.
Last week, FOOLS from around Eastern Oklahoma County and the state met at the abandoned and boarded-up former Logan Point Apartments, 481 S. Scott St. in Del City, to start and extinguish blazes. The aim was to study many aspects of how a fire starts, spreads and can most effectively be put out.
Rarely, if ever, are firefighters on the scene of a blaze when it begins. Many exercises involve a 'burn building,' which is usually constructed on a firefighting training campus. It is designed to be repeatedly lit and extinguished for training purposes. Jarett Metheny, a major with the MWCFD and head FOOL at the Del City training exercise, said the opportunity to study how the building material and fire react in an actual building as it burns is an invaluable chance for every firefighter to hone skills, from seasoned veterans to rookies.
"It takes a lot of work to get an acquired structure," Metheny said. "When we do get one, we take full advantage of it."
DONATION SITUATION
Brandon Pursell, DCFD spokesman, said the complex is owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and set for demolition. Use of the apartments was donated by the nation to the firefighters to do what they pleased with the two-story buildings, constructed in 1970.
Throughout the week, fire trucks were on the scene from Del City, Midwest City, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Tinker Air Force Base and beyond the metro area. Firefighters set blazes in the apartment units that had been stripped of furniture, appliances, carpet and wiring. In each, they set up pallets of wood and hay, ignited the pallets and went through specific drills for controlling smoke and fighting the blazes.
"This shows you how a building behaves," Metheny said as black smoke began pouring from a second story window. "In a real situation it helps me predict what might happen next."
FOOL CELEBRATION
Not every firefighter who came out was a FOOL, but the group organized the event and handled the training and supervision. The FOOLS began in 1995, according to the group's website, in Central Florida. Their aim was to celebrate the rich tradition, brotherhood and heritage involved with fire service. Leatherhead " the L in the FOOLS acronym " refers to an old-time leather helmet worn by firefighters, which the group says is the international sign of a firefighter. In addition to tradition and camaraderie, the FOOLS promote ongoing exercises for firefighters to be as well-trained as possible. The group hosts events when possible, like the Del City burning exercise.
At the end of the day, many of the apartment units had been gutted by fire, ripped apart and then doused with water. Metheny said hopefully firefighters walked away with a little better knowledge to aid them in fighting fires outside of a controlled setting where lives and property are on the line.
Metheny said the exercise was also a chance for firefighters to get to know their colleagues in other departments, because introductions are often difficult in smoky hallways when departments work together to respond to and battle blazes.
As firefighters labored in near 100-degree heat May 27, many looked exhausted exiting the smoldering buildings. But once they got out of their gear and found a shady spot to cool down, it was obvious everyone was having a good time.
"It's fun," Brewer said.
photo top Local firefighters set a vacant Del City apartment complex on fire to study and learn from the flames. Photo/Mark Hancock
photo bottom Anthony Davenport takes a breather. Photo/Mark Hancock
For them, FOOLS is an acronym for the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, which includes more than seven thousand members around the world and is not used in relation to foolish behavior on their part. The chapter in Oklahoma even has shirts and ball caps adorned with the word FOOLS for its firefighting members.
Last week, FOOLS from around Eastern Oklahoma County and the state met at the abandoned and boarded-up former Logan Point Apartments, 481 S. Scott St. in Del City, to start and extinguish blazes. The aim was to study many aspects of how a fire starts, spreads and can most effectively be put out.
Rarely, if ever, are firefighters on the scene of a blaze when it begins. Many exercises involve a 'burn building,' which is usually constructed on a firefighting training campus. It is designed to be repeatedly lit and extinguished for training purposes. Jarett Metheny, a major with the MWCFD and head FOOL at the Del City training exercise, said the opportunity to study how the building material and fire react in an actual building as it burns is an invaluable chance for every firefighter to hone skills, from seasoned veterans to rookies.
"It takes a lot of work to get an acquired structure," Metheny said. "When we do get one, we take full advantage of it."
DONATION SITUATION
Brandon Pursell, DCFD spokesman, said the complex is owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and set for demolition. Use of the apartments was donated by the nation to the firefighters to do what they pleased with the two-story buildings, constructed in 1970.
Throughout the week, fire trucks were on the scene from Del City, Midwest City, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Tinker Air Force Base and beyond the metro area. Firefighters set blazes in the apartment units that had been stripped of furniture, appliances, carpet and wiring. In each, they set up pallets of wood and hay, ignited the pallets and went through specific drills for controlling smoke and fighting the blazes.
"This shows you how a building behaves," Metheny said as black smoke began pouring from a second story window. "In a real situation it helps me predict what might happen next."
Each firefighter dealing directly with the blaze had to remain vigilant for personal safety and to ensure the firefighters did not lose control of the blaze. With no lives on the line, they could focus on the fire and not on trying to get people to safety. That came as a benefit to Cody Brewer, a first-year member of the DCFD.
"We can try different techniques to fight the fire," Brewer said. "It's training, and we get to do it, and you're not worried about saving someone's life."FOOL CELEBRATIONNot every firefighter who came out was a FOOL, but the group organized the event and handled the training and supervision. The FOOLS began in 1995, according to the group's website, in Central Florida. Their aim was to celebrate the rich tradition, brotherhood and heritage involved with fire service. Leatherhead " the L in the FOOLS acronym " refers to an old-time leather helmet worn by firefighters, which the group says is the international sign of a firefighter. In addition to tradition and camaraderie, the FOOLS promote ongoing exercises for firefighters to be as well-trained as possible. The group hosts events when possible, like the Del City burning exercise.
At the end of the day, many of the apartment units had been gutted by fire, ripped apart and then doused with water. Metheny said hopefully firefighters walked away with a little better knowledge to aid them in fighting fires outside of a controlled setting where lives and property are on the line.
Metheny said the exercise was also a chance for firefighters to get to know their colleagues in other departments, because introductions are often difficult in smoky hallways when departments work together to respond to and battle blazes.
As firefighters labored in near 100-degree heat May 27, many looked exhausted exiting the smoldering buildings. But once they got out of their gear and found a shady spot to cool down, it was obvious everyone was having a good time.
"It's fun," Brewer said.
photo top Local firefighters set a vacant Del City apartment complex on fire to study and learn from the flames. Photo/Mark Hancock
photo bottom Anthony Davenport takes a breather. Photo/Mark Hancock
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