Urbana Fire Department 101: Things You Should Know about The Department and Firefighters (Part 1)

By Xuanyan Ouang

Have you ever noticed the sub-station of Urbana Fire Department which is located at 1105 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana?

I think some might answer yes, but have nothing else to say about it. Just to notice it t when there are fire emergencies or hazardous fires is not enough. Learn something interesting about this division of the fire station through images provided here. And know that they also work during celebrations or holidays. For example, Unofficial Day.

Engineers Do More Than Drive

What an engineer in a fire department can do is not only driving that “fancy” fire truck and blowing the air horn and siren. Drivers in fire department are called engineers. Drivers at Urbana Fire Department also serve the duty as a fire fighter. They may stay in the truck, operate the truck on scene of an emergency, or even go into a fire with all the other fighter fighters. But when there is a lack of rescue force, drivers need to act as a fire fighter under such circumstances.

Lt. Fred Westhoff and Engineer Chad Kingren

As the photos show, fire fighters need to wear gear (a.k.a. Personal Protective Equipment. It consists of an SCBA, pants, coat, hood, helmet, mask, boots, and gloves, etc.) when they are fighting a fire. According to firefighters in Urbana Fire Departments, the totally weight of each gear may reach 60 pounds. They need those gear to protect them.

Weight of Gear

As the photos show, fire fighters need to wear gear (aka Personal Protective Equipment). It consists of an SCBA, pants, coat, hood, helmet, mask, boots, and gloves, etc.) when they are fighting a fire. According to firefighters in Urbana Fire Departments, the totally weight of each gear may reach 60 pounds. They need those gear to protect them.

gear 3 — Engineer Troy Roberts and FF Chad Johnson

Also, they have to take an oxygen tank with them to the fire scene, which is as heavy as 30 pounds.

Masks

Firefighters have to wear those facial masks which protect them from gases. So it’s hard to imagine how difficult it is for them to move around with all the equipment on. At the same time, the smoke filled conditions do not give them any visibility at all.