Video Project1

Two college students took a tour in the Fire Department with an assistant chief in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Saturday afternoon.

Mark LaRose, an assistant chief working in the Fire Department for over a third of his life, gave Julia and I a tour talking about the Fire Department’s history, facilities, and his personal experience.

The Fire department was established on October 31, 1843, with the first house company called “The Torrent.” The department has processed five separate volunteer companies through the town during several decades. Currently, there are 10 full-time employees and 20 paid on-call fire fighters.

The building has two floors, the top floor has both the working area and the bedrooms, and the bottom floor has three fire trucks. LaRose showed a place with some comfortable sofas and a television where they usually relax and hang out. Normally, they go to work, have lunch in the kitchen, then watching the news on the sofa, and do their daily work.

LaRose showed his room, which is shared with his co-workers. On the wall, several photos present the strong and close relationships between him and his colleagues of thirty years.

“Fire fighters are like brothers,” LaRose said.

 When LaRose was pointing to the big and black alarm surrounded by the photos, he mentioned that the alarm brought a loud sound not only in the daytime, but during the night. He also said that he tried to sleep when the alarm rings during the early morning when it isn’t his responsibility. He would like it if the alarm didn’t ring during the entire day.

LaRose then leaded the tour walking down to the first floor and started introducing three different fire trucks, Engine one, Rescue two and the ladder fire truck, also called The Tower.

Engine One contains 12.5 gallons water and Rescue Two has more efficient fire equipment for rescue purposes like vehicle rescue.

I was curious about what fire fighters need to wear on the fire call, so I asked LaRose for the information. He turned to me and asked with a smile on his face, “Do you want to try the uniform on?”

The uniform was too large for me to wear and it was heavy as well. I also put the helmet on and the oxygen bottle on my back. It took a long time for me to put all the equipment on, and finally, I seemed like a real fire fighter with a poorly-fitting uniform.

In addition, before I tried it on, I thought it was easy and convenient for fire fighters to rescue. However, it was beyond my imagination. It was difficult for me to walk and to run. What’s more, it is also hot with it on.

According to this experience, I thought that under a high-stressful, serious and hot situation, fire fighters need to not only wear heavy and uncomfortable uniforms but to protect themselves as well. Also, they try their best to solve the problem and save lives.

“It is our responsibility, and it is our job,” LaRose said.