Fire Station 2
While spending time at fire station 2 which is the training center Portland fire and rescue, the most important question, what I wondered about most is what brought the person to the fire service, and why they wanted to be a fire fighter. The answers are as varied as and individual as they fire fighters are themselves. Some people had family who were or are fire fighters; some had medical training and wanted to expand their education and experience;
some liked the
schedule, 24 hours on, 48 off with more time for
family or other
interests; others came for the job security but
overwhelmingly,
everyone said they wanted to help others and
serve the
community.
My ride along days at Fire Station 2 were spent outdoors in the elements. I immediately thought it was the perfect place to decide whether or not you wanted to be a fire fighter in Portland. All day long the trainees in the final stage of training perform a myriad of activities including cutting up faux roofs and junk cars, hooking up fire hoses, are putting out practice fires and getting wet in the cold and wind of east Portland. It was invigorating hungry work.
When I asked around the station what the painting should be about the answer often was: the training tower at sunrise. The tower was the giant to be conquered or tamed and it looms large in reality and in the imagination.
I learned that physical strength and endurance are still among the most important elements to becoming a successful fire fighter.
On my ride-alongs I saw the trainees from station 2 in their black helmets cleaning up after the garage fire or house fire or commercial building fire was extinguished and learned it was both a part of the training and a right of passage, on the job training! From the beginning this is a job you must have great passion for in order to make it though each day with your shift.
Throughout my residency I came into contact with the fire fighters in the white shirts, the training branch of the fire department who have their headquarters alongside Fire station 2. I talked to one officer during my ride along who had just represented the fire bureau at a funeral; had lunch at a double company with the fire fighter who makes commercials for public safety; and another officer who trains fire fighters regularly on updates in equipment and new procedures. It is interesting to find so many different and integral jobs, facets within the fire bureau. <<back
While spending time at fire station 2 which is the training center Portland fire and rescue, the most important question, what I wondered about most is what brought the person to the fire service, and why they wanted to be a fire fighter. The answers are as varied as and individual as they fire fighters are themselves. Some people had family who were or are fire fighters; some had medical training and wanted to expand their education and experience;
My ride along days at Fire Station 2 were spent outdoors in the elements. I immediately thought it was the perfect place to decide whether or not you wanted to be a fire fighter in Portland. All day long the trainees in the final stage of training perform a myriad of activities including cutting up faux roofs and junk cars, hooking up fire hoses, are putting out practice fires and getting wet in the cold and wind of east Portland. It was invigorating hungry work.
When I asked around the station what the painting should be about the answer often was: the training tower at sunrise. The tower was the giant to be conquered or tamed and it looms large in reality and in the imagination.
I learned that physical strength and endurance are still among the most important elements to becoming a successful fire fighter.
On my ride-alongs I saw the trainees from station 2 in their black helmets cleaning up after the garage fire or house fire or commercial building fire was extinguished and learned it was both a part of the training and a right of passage, on the job training! From the beginning this is a job you must have great passion for in order to make it though each day with your shift.
Throughout my residency I came into contact with the fire fighters in the white shirts, the training branch of the fire department who have their headquarters alongside Fire station 2. I talked to one officer during my ride along who had just represented the fire bureau at a funeral; had lunch at a double company with the fire fighter who makes commercials for public safety; and another officer who trains fire fighters regularly on updates in equipment and new procedures. It is interesting to find so many different and integral jobs, facets within the fire bureau. <<back
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