Fire Brigade practice -- joint exercises with the Brigade and the Guard

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin's face appears for a few moments in the frame. He grins. ]

Welcome to the Hadriel Fire Brigade and City Guard joint training exercises! This will be the first event of its kind, and we expect to have more them in the future. All are welcome! -- Brigade members, Guard members, and any Hadriel citizen who is interested in joining the Brigade. But you don't have to promise to join in order to take part. You are welcome if you are merely considering it, or simply interested in learning more about how to deal with a fire. You may also ask questions via the network, if you are not able to make it to this event but want to talk to somebody about the Fire Brigade and its functions.

[ He starts panning his phone camera around to show all the activities that are taking place along the north shore of the reservoir and nearby. ]

As you can see, we have built two fire engines, and we are giving the participants a chance to learn how to handle them. The first is a ladder truck and the second is a tanker truck.

[ The ladder truck is tearing around the curves of the nearest road, it's driver and riders whooping and screeching with glee. You can hear them all the way to the spot where Curufin is standing. ]

As you can see, the tanker truck is parked and we are practicing putting out a fire.

[ The tanker truck is parked beside a large wooden shack that the participants put up last week, and have now set on fire. Glowing orange and yellow flames sweep upwards from its roof. Unlike modern fire engines, this one contains its own water tank, since the firefighters do not (yet) have access to the city's water mains. The firefighters have already attached the hoses to the tank and opened up the valves and are trying to douse the flames. ]

And over there, we're running some practice scenarios that involve rescuing people from a burning building.

[ The view shifts to the disused, unoccupied spire next to Spire Two. People are running multiple flights of stairs, huffing and panting, with laughter and curses. They then descend, lugging the rescued "victims," carrying them on their shoulders. A group of people outside are waiting their turn to run up multiple flights of stairs to rescue either an actual person who has volunteered to be the rescuee or. . . a store dummy. They have a number of these doll-like objects on the lawn, and people have to carry them back up again periodically, as they run out of them upstairs in the spire. Good exercise for your calf muscles, that's for sure! -- whether you're carrying the dummy or one of your actual buddies. ]

And over there, we have a little tailoring operation set up. We're all going to need protective gear, including fire-resistant clothing, and there is a logbook for you all to put your names, sizes and measurements down. Somebody will be there to help you take your measurements if you don't know them.

[ Shot of a table with book, pencils and pens, tape measure, and cheerful helper. ]

And last but not least, here's our pumping station on the riverbank, where we get the water to fill the tanker truck's tank. There, also, is the building we are currently using to house the fire engines, and in which we are also building a second tanker trunk.

[ View of the waterworks building on the edge of the reservoir. You can't see the machinery inside, but you can see an open bay on the side away from the river, where the firefighters must park the tanker truck and screw the hoses into the apparatus inside and activate the pumping mechanism in order to draw up water from the reservoir and fill the truck tank. The second tanker truck, which is still being built, is parked outside of the firehouse. Around it are scattered tools and equipment, and people are working on it.]

And here's everybody's favorite activity -- the lunch table! As I said, everybody's welcome, including those who are just looking for a square meal at the moment.

[ View of the buffet table, which is really loaded. On it is also a stack of brochures with a description of the Fire Brigade and how to sign up. Somebody who can answer questions will be there as well. ]

If you're here in person, have fun and don't break a leg! But if you do, the first aid station is over there. [ Pan to another area by the water, where a table with first aid supplies is found, and somebody who can help. ]

If you just want to make inquiries or comments by phone, that's okay, too. I or another firefighter will reply.

Enjoy, everybody! And learn something new.

[ OOC: Feel free to post your character into any of these scenarios, or make up one of your own. Put something in the subject line to indicate which scenario it is. Examples: driving the firetruck, putting out fires, rescue operations, protective clothing tailoring, pumping station & machinery maintenance, building the second tanker truck, lunch table, first aid station. Or, like Curufin says, it's okay to talk to the firefighters by video or text. This is also a mingler, a free-for-all, so tag around if you like. The purpose of this net post is for the firefighters and Guard members to get together so that they'll all be on the same page when the real fire occurs, and for the firefighters (and Guard members, and interested parties) to do some rehearsing of their skills.

If you want to sign your character up to be a member of the Fire Brigade, you can go directly to this site, where there is information about the firefighters. The signup sheet is on this page. If you have any OOC questions to ask, contact Haze at tangyminx or PM me at so_dark_a_road. (I'm logged into Curufin's journal every day, so I'll get your message quickly.)

In case you haven't seen Hadriel's September Rundown, the mods have planned to BURN UP PART OF THE CITY on September 14. So now is a good time to join the Brigade! Or for that matter, the Guard. And because that is happening so soon, feel free to just post your characters in here with short threads or single comments. There'll be plenty of firefighting "for real" in just five days! ]

Comments

[action] Firetruck Driving/Maintenance

[onlyanautomaton]

[The culmination of the fire brigade's efforts has not yet been attained, but the amount of progress they have made with limited materials and members with varying levels of mechanical knowledge has been admirable. Almost two months has given Oscar more than enough time to familiarize himself with all of what their firefighting operations would entail as well as the finer details that make up the mechanisms involved.

The joint training exercises have begun. The ladder truck in particular has his undivided attention for most of the day. He sets about preparing it before each person has their turn at the wheel and checks everything over once they are done with it. He takes pride in what they have accomplished; he will ensure these vehicles receive ongoing maintenance. These engines--like any engine--will serve their function perfectly given the engineer responsible for their servicing does so with diligence. He knows that to treat a vehicle with care is to be rewarded with positive outcomes and outstanding performance.

Curufin and the others can rest assured their fire engines are in good hands.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ It's been a short period of time in which to get everything together, and parts of the project need a lot more work. Still, they have arrived at a point where it's possible to see it all coming together. If they had to fight a fire today, they'd be skilled and equipped but a little unorganized, so it's high time they came out for a dress rehearsal. Curufin is proud of the team and their efforts.

Oscar has taken charge of a considerable amount of the work of getting the vehicles ready to roll out, and Curufin is very pleased. He still grabs a wrench from time to time, but today he leaves most of the maintenance work in Oscar's capable hands.

At this moment, he is getting ready to take the wheel himself, and he smiles at Oscar. ]

You have this truck purring like a kitten!

[onlyanautomaton]

It was not without considerable time and effort, Curufin.

[After performing one last cursory inspection of the vehicle's perimeter, Oscar stands by the driver's door.]

Are you familiar with the controls?

[action] Lunch table

[claritatis]

[Ignis sits down with his back to the table, and takes off his glasses. It takes a moment for him to find a clean part of his shirt to rub the smudges of dust and dirt off them, and he takes a few minutes on this task before he puts them back on his face.

The morning had been made up of hard work, and the young man shows it with the smell of smoke on his clothes, the dirt on his face and hands, and the weary slump to his shoulders in those moments between sitting down and when he decides what he'll set his mind to next. Firefighting had never been something he had needed to train at, but he'll lend his hand to it here as well as the next person - after all, he didn't sign on to the Guard for show alone.

He leans his elbows back against the table and exhales a slow breath. Everything here holds some measure of interest to him, as far as being reliable is concerned, but for now, he needs a moment... and perhaps something to eat.]



ooc: up for prompts p. much anywhere else too, if you'd rather!

[bythewaves]

You look very tired, my friend.

[ For a change, Maglor isn't trapped under something, or wandering in dreams! But although he was at the rescue earlier there is no smell of smoke to him now as he silently appears at Ignis' elbow ]

[claritatis]

[It makes a nice change! Ignis smiles faintly up at the elf and chuckles softly, leaning back to stretch his legs out in front of him.]

I dare say I shall feel better after a good meal. [He quips.] Won't you join me?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin stops to get a sandwich and a cup of coffee. He's noticed how active Ignis has been in this event -- he's spared no effort, and Curufin finds that admirable. ]

Ignis! I'm grabbing some food. Want me to get you something?

[claritatis]

[He meets Curufin's eyes - another elf, it seems he's met several of them now - and pushes himself up to his feet with a small sound of exertion. It isn't that he's unaccustomed to hard work, but he is realising that this place has started to make him soft.

Joining the Guard was a fine plan, in that case.]

I shall accompany you. [Ignis says, making a small gesture for Curufin to lead on.] Not that I doubt the talent of whoever supplied the food, but I think I'll prefer to look at it before I put it on my plate.

Maintence, lunch

[farmboyjedi]

[Luke is in the bay with the engines when they're shown, working on some of the machines. He is finding out that there are differences to the things he worked on back home, but it's not hard to pick up, either. Sometimes, he falls into working as he would on his lightsaber, allowing himself to reach out with the Force to visualize layouts and get things into place. It's not as advanced as the galaxy's tech, but he's happy to be doing something to help.]

[He also enjoys the lunch...he's always had a thing for trying different foods, due to Tatoooine fair being so limited and basic. Sweets are his biggest guilty pleasure, and he's sure to have at least one or two during the meal. He's also glad to meet others showing up to help here.]

Maintenance

[so_dark_a_road]

[ When Curufin is finished announcing this event to the public, he puts his phone away and comes to the pump house to see how Luke is doing. They've both spent time working on this part of the project together, and he has been enjoying watching Luke work and learning a little something from his methods. He's particularly fascinated by the way the jedi knight can visualize the insides of the machines simply by reaching out with the Force to get a true image. ]

It's almost as though you have an x-ray machine in your head!

Re: Maintenance

[farmboyjedi]

[Luke chuckles, having to nod at the comment.]

I guess that is a way to look at it. I did have to get used to a few differences in things, but it's helping me to get the hang of things fairly quickly.

(Action) First Aid station

[loveathousandyearsgone]

[Here's one elf who'd rather stick to the sidelines in terms of actual battle if he can avoid it. Elrond's no stranger to war, but he's worked hard to become the healer he is now. He figures there are plenty of defenders at this point, though he's still prepared to step in to lend a hand there as needed.

He has a number of burn creams prepared, along with bandages, healing ointments, bandages, and water all ready for any number of injuries or ailments that might be brought his way. When he's not tending to someone, he'll be watching and listening. Observing is just one point to wisdom, after all!]

(Action) :3

[handofsilver]

(He will have company. Celebrimbor can fight and rescue others as need be, but he is slower than others. Until he is called upon, he will enjoy seeing Elrond. Who can blame him?)

Little Star... (He approaches with his staff in hand, resting a hand on Elrond's shoulder lightly.)

aww

[loveathousandyearsgone]

[The thoughtful look on the half-elf's face changes to a smile and he stands to pull his cousin into an embrace. He doesn't linger though, pulling back to study Celebrimbor.]

You move better now, it gladdens my heart to see.

[bythewaves]

[ Shyly, at some point, a shadow comes to visit ]

Busy as always.

[loveathousandyearsgone]

[Best shadow. He invites Maglor to sit with a gesture beside him.]

Never too busy for you, ada.

[utulien_aure]

Just how many injuries are you anticipating seeing today?

[Fingon idly inquires when he stops over. Because wow, Elrond, you came prepared.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin comes up to Elrond with a smile and a burn to be dressed. ]

Thank you for coming, Lord Elrond! [ He'd rather just call him cousin, since Elrond is actually his cousin Turgon's great-grandson, which makes him Curufin's cousin three times removed, as a genealogist would say. Or nephew, since Elrond is also his foster-nephew, through Maglor. But Curufin is still being rather formal, as offering formal respect is one of his ways of dealing with the still unresolved past. ]

Singed my arm. Do you have some healing ointment? [ He fell against the burning shack when his foot got tangled in the fire hose. He's lucky he's strong and spry, and was able to scramble away quickly, and so has no worse injuries. ]

[bythewaves]

He is here because his brothers are here, although he mostly stays far away from the fire.

Mostly, he's by the First Aid Station, watching and keeping Elrond company, although he knows enough to be put to use, if any injuries do rock up. He actually started off down by the Pumping Station, eyeing the equipment curiously - he has his own way of working with water, although he hasn't tried to see if it will answer to his songs, here. He does, at one point, participate in the 'Rescue', too, but there's something about him, that close to fire (He doesn't flinch, or hesitate, but there's something about him that speaks of fear, or grief, maybe). Anyone watching him close enough might see him snuff small flames that come too close with a Song, however.

[castintofire]

Where Maglor went, Maedhros would follow, keeping his brother company even when they fought flames. He wouldn't let his family face it alone ever again. Eventually he'd snag his brother and guide the way to the food. "We should eat, Kano."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin has been watching his brother. He sees him snuff the flames with Song, and he lopes up to him with a grin on his face. "I saw that!" he exclaims, in a teasing voice. "There are some people with strange powers in Hadriel, but I think you must be the only one who can sing a flame to sleep!"

Rescue operations

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin is trying out all the scenarios himself. When it is his turn, he runs up the stairway in the unoccupied spire, his feet clattering loudly. In the room designated for the rescue, there are several store mannikins lying around the floor, representing people who have been overcome by smoke and are unconscious or semi-conscious. And as well, there may be an actual, live person or two who are here as volunteers to help make it more realistic! Curufn looks around, grabs a store dummy / live person (depending on who he reaches first), hunkers down, grabs him/her by an arm and a leg and slings him/her bodily over his shoulders in the traditional fireman's carry position, rises to his feet, and carries the victim down the stairway. ]

Rescue

[requiemshark]

[Weirdly enough, Ephemera remembers a lot of this stuff from the fake-world the gods sprung on them not too long ago. Back then he'd been without scars but a real live firefighter, saving cats out of trees and all. Which is weird. He's dealt with fire in the real world - which is a weird-ass sentence to be working through - but usually that involved napalm or exploding ordinance.

But he's bored and fire is exciting. So he's practicing in full armor; carries, moving through smoke, HUD running diagnostic scans the whole time. His armor is heat-resistant up to a point, but even that has limits.

One of them being that he's way too heavy to work on a building with a weakened structure, a fact his HUD won't stop blaring.

Good to know, he supposes.

He stops for a break, tugging his helmet off to get some water.]

Well, this is fun.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin wasn't a firefighter in Pleasant Valley, strangely enough, when at the time he was putting a lot of energy into the Brigade project, in his "real life" in Hadriel.

He's pleased to see his fellow Guardsman here. Ephemera is a warrior with, obviously, many bonafides. Not to mention, some high-tech equipment, which always helps!

Down at the base of the disused spire they are using for the rescue practice, they meet while seeking a drink of water. Curufin is hot and sweaty, but quite happy with the way things are going. ]

I find it so. [ Grin. ]

It's good you didn't fall through the floor with all that armor!

[braveoff]

[ Drake's taking a break himself, having been drilling for hours now. Working the hoses and running up and down the stairs with as many live bodies as he could get, not trusting the dummies to be accurate enough. He's sweaty and streaked with soot but smiling, the coat of his protective gear hanging open while he cools down. ]

It kinda is. [ He agrees warmly, tossing Ephemera a bottle of water. ] You sure wearing all that is the best idea, though?