Thursday, April 25, 2013

Independent Component 2


Literal:
A.)  I joseph Luna, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents thirty hours of work.
B.)  Firefighter Roland Dykes. My mentor was the overseer of the training exercise that I did in order to complete my independent component 2.
D.)  As an explorer, I have done thirty hours of additional training in the fire service. Some of the training included working with heavy machinery such as pick axes, sledgehammers, concrete bits, coring bits, and a jackhammer. We also had additional learning stations where we studied the helicopters, tractors, and fire trucks in the fire department. There was also search and rescue training that we did where we had to crawl in a small contained space underground and perform a rescue mission. We had to put out a live contained fire. We got the opportunity to view the Jaws of Life in action. We also got some experience in cutting line where we had to use shovels, pick axes, straight picks, and Pulaski’s.  We also received training in helping the community because as firefighters, helping the community is a must. We had the opportunity to set up a breakfast event for Easter where we fed the community of Diamond Bar. I also had to try and sell raffle tickets in order to help fundraise for the station. We also had to spend many hours preparing for these events as well as clean up these events as well as the engine and any materials we brought with us. I had to go to special training in order to learn about the dress code in the fire department as well as turnouts.

Interpretive:
Throughout my independent component two I was focusing mainly on the insides of the fire department and the training that is required to become a firefighter. We focus on mainly training in the fire department and that’s why one of my answers to my essential question is to become knowledgeable about training exercises and to train thoroughly to be prepared to fight fires. We did training exercises through my independent component to show the amount of time and training it takes to prepare for a fire. We train for five hours a week, while real firefighters train every day. We also had a full day of training from three in the morning to eight at night where I did the majority of my training for my independent component. It was at the Del Valle training facility. We get to step into the lives of real firefighters where we get to fight live fires, go through small tunnels for search and rescue, and use heavy machinery to learn about the department. We also had to of course wash the engine in order to keep a clean appearance to the community. We had to do a charity event. The reason why I added this into my independent component is because one aspect of the fire service is to keep a strong sense of pride for yourself and the community. You have to be able to interact with people and in a way the events we do is just more training to talk to people and let them know a little about the fire service and to get there compliments for what we do. I have pictures with captions to illustrate the training exercises we did and to back up my hours of experience.



Applied:
My independent component helped me answer my essential question which is; what is the best way to fight an unexpected forest fire, by showing me the proper training techniques in order to fight a forest fire. One of my answers to my essential question is to train and be prepared at all times for a fire to happen. With the triaging that we did, every event we went to was a phone call from a central station and we had to get ready according to that activity as fast as possible because we had to act as if it was an actual call. This helped me understand how the training can help us get ready in no time and show up to the scene and be able to perform. The events also helped me understand the steps it take sin order to fight a forest fire. They really focused on safety and before every event checked our safety precautions, without training, we would not pass the safety tests therefore not being able to participate in the event. It also helped answer my essential question because of the assembly’s that I went to. I had to learn about the different types of tools in my training and engines that the firefighters use. Another one of my answers is to know your equipment toughly so you can get to the scene of the fire quickly and be able to not misuse your equipment. Learning all about the fire equipment helped me realize that knowing how to work a certain piece of machinery can really aid you when fighting a fire. We fought a fire and the majority of the training we do was implemented when fighting his fire. We had to work together and use communication in order to put the fire out. We had to know how to use the hose and take it off of the truck in order to put out the fire; this is an example of knowing how to use our equipment so the fire wouldn’t get out of control. Overall this independent component really helped me understand my essential question better and the answers that I chose because of the examples and pictures and time I put forth above.