1470 & 100.3 WMBD’s news reporter Kristina Leahy accepted the challenge to see if she had what it takes to be a firefighter, by training for a day with the Peoria Fire Department.
Leahy tells WMBD’s Greg and Dan that she wanted to highlight the work that these men and women do daily to help the community.
“I really wanted to broadcast how much effort they put in, by literally putting myself in the suit on a day that was 101 degrees,” Leahy said.
On that hot day, Leahy learned all about putting on the gear worn by firefighters.
“The suit, the air tank, and the mask (breathing apparatus) is an extra 50 to 80 pounds,” Leahy said.
The next step, battling a real fire.
Captain Lore Baxter was by her side, guiding her through the process of what firefighters do when they arrive on scene.
With sirens blaring and lights flashing, Leahy and the crew showed up to a simulated bedroom fire, ready to put it out.
Leahy led the way with the hose, with Baxter right behind, and they marched toward the flames.
Together, they got low to the ground avoiding the smoke, and began spraying water all around the room, extinguishing the flames. The smoke flying out the door, above them, also began to catch fire. Baxter brought that to Leahy’s attention, and together they put out all of the fire.
Once the fire is out, crews enter and inspect the room and rip out parts of the ceiling and walls to see if any hidden parts of the structure are still burning.
Leahy said the experience of fully putting on the gear and going through the motions was very eye opening.
“After only spending a day with them, I don’t even think I scratched the surface. I only nicked the surface of everything they do,” Leahy said.
It’s not all about physical strength to be a firefigher.
“The amount of work that these people do, it’s not only the physicality of wearing a suit that’s an extra 80 pounds on top of you going through a fire,” Leahy said. “But, also the mentality and pushing yourself”.
Leahy was asked if now she would ever consider being a firefighter, but she said “I would need a little more training”.
While someone’s first instinct to fire is to go the opposite direction, Leahy told Greg and Dan that she wasn’t scared.
“Going into it I was very excited,” Leahy said. “Then, I see the room and I see the equipment, and I got nervous. But, I knew I was in good hands”.
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Kristina did more than just put out a fire. Part two is coming soon.
