City of Ames, IA Where's Brian?, 9 May 2013

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From YouTube: Where's Brian?

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Can Brian complete the physical fitness test that all firefighter candidates take as a part of their interview process?

A

On today's episode of where is brian, we're headed to do some work with the Department. That's been around for a hundred and seventeen years. The folks who work here spend 24 hours at a time at their jobs. It's consistently one of the most sought-after positions in the city. Do you know where I am today, I'm brian phillips? On most days, I work in an office for the aim city manager, since starting here, I've learned a lot about the different jobs city. Employees have many of them.

A

You might see every day, others work behind the scenes to provide quality programs and exceptional service to the community, and that's why I'm here to experience the different jobs the city of Ames has to offer.

A

You never know where I'll go next.

A

Established in 1895, the Ames Fire Department is comprised of three stations that cover a response area of twenty four point: seven miles. There are 55 uniformed personnel on staff and one support staff. Member firefighters have to be prepared to respond to a variety of emergency. In sense. Let's take a closer look at what it takes to become a firefighter.

A

Good morning, Sean good morning, Brian good to see you well before I get started today. Why don't you tell me a little bit about the entire department? Well,.

B

The Ames fire department has three fire stations here in town we've got about 55 personnel, including the secretary and a fire inspector, so we provide fire service and EMS basic life, support to approximately all 59 thousand citizens of the city of Ames okay. So what are we going to be doing today? Well, today, we're going to be going through the physical agility test.

B

We've got a hiring process for firefighter coming up, so we set up the the test, so you'll be able to see some of the different stations, and maybe even do it if you're interested we're going to set up the aerial ladder you'll get to climb the aerial ladder, carry some equipment around pull some really heavy stuff and do a little bit of running a little bit of walking.

A

Okay, so what's the purpose of this test, this.

B

We use this test to determine whether or not people have the physical stamina that's required for this job, and so it test some upper body strength as well as some cardiovascular system, strength, okay,.

A

Well, I think I'm ready to go if you want to lead the way that sounds great. Let's go.

C

Morning, John morning, I'm John Saunders what your name I'm, Brian Philips, so I felt all right. If you want to have a seat. Okay, we already got a copy, your ID and had you sign the waiver correct? Yes, what we're gonna do here is I'll, get your blood pressure and pulse okay, make sure that you're feeling okay to go out and take the test. Alright,.

A

Have any questions.

C

No I think we're all set all right: pet hair, which first name again: Brian Brian, Brian, yeah. Sorry, damn.

C

Alright, if you can't just put your right arm up there for my guy just relax, it.

C

Do you eat normal, ate everything today, yep not stressed out not any more than a little bit of stress.

C

B

C

This thanks a lecture yeah when.

D

You're ever gonna come to the game back through the shop and bring in your ear, monitor and.

C

130 over 76, so is that possible? Oh yeah, yeah, 1, 60, systolic or 110 diastolic would we'd have to maybe have a doctor. Look at your ok ISIL, that's a little time so so.

A

I'm doing ok, you're.

C

Doing? Ok, all right!

C

Ok, to get your pulse real, quick.

C

62, ok, that's good! Why some time nice and.

A

C

It your pulse will be higher when we do that. Ok, all right! So what's the next step, we will go out, get you a gear fitted for a year and get you geared up and then lieutenant tweet will take you through your test. Ok,.

A

C

For me at all, so what's the purpose of doing these tests? The reason we do some medical monitoring is. We want to make sure that you are your blood pressure in your pulse is not too high. We want to make sure that you're going to be okay when you're testing. Ok, if you're hypertensive for your blood pressure is real high or could be, you could have a heart attack. We don't want you to make sure wanna make sure you don't have that it's above 160, systolic or 110 da saag. Well. Take you over the ER.

C

Maybe have the doctor look at you. There are some people that are hypertensive may be on high blood pressure medication, so we'll have them looked at so, okay, all.

A

Right all right, all right.

C

Follow me and we'll get you some gear. Ok,.

C

Ok, we have size, 10 boots, I know you said you wear size, 11 or 12. They run a little wide, so we got you size tends to try those and those pants should be about your size so going to try those on.

C

How do those feel that.

A

Feels pretty good.

C

Go ahead, zip them up.

C

You want them a little bit. You'd rather have them loose and tight okay. So.

A

Yeah I got a little bit of room here. It's.

C

Eric Fazio's pants, so they might.

A

Be a little big on ya: okay,.

C

That feel, okay, yeah. That feels great.

A

C

uh Not a coat we'll try this one see it fits.

C

Again, this is something you want this loose, not tight, so.

A

I'm going to be wearing this for all of zagat's products of attacks take.

C

That way, it just looks like that's going to be two surgeries, so.

A

I'm gonna be wearing all this gear for all the components of the test right. Yes, the.

C

Only thing they'll, add dal and the SCBA for I think it's three stations. Okay, so and that's just a face piece.

B

C

That was a little.

B

C

Again, loose is gonna, be little.

A

B

C

You want to be able to move around. How does that feel feels.

A

Pretty free, okay.

C

For gloves, medium or large.

A

Let's try a medium may be: okay,.

C

Though, to type these, you do want type.

A

Yeah these are lifting and stuff, so you want to make their snug I think this will probably work.

C

The helmet has a ratcheting, strap back, so go I pop it on your head to the right will tighten it. Okay,.

A

C

C

Pop that on I.

A

See you conveniently pick the one with the cam.

C

Yeah I haven't how the camera thought it'd be great.

C

And what we'll do this is the ladder built.

A

So how tight do I want this to be on.

C

Your head, you don't want it too, tight, give yourself a headache just tight enough, so it's snug on there and then we'll just put the chin strap on. Okay, the chin strap will keep it on your heads, okay, how's, that feel it.

A

Feels pretty good, alright,.

C

And let me get the ladder belt on you.

C

Go ahead, raise your arms up. Everybody gets a good luck. Hug.

C

That doesn't feel too tight or anything. No all right, I'll lieutenant tweet will now come and he'll walk you through the rest of tests. Okay,.

A

Great I look. Thank you very much. Welcome all.

D

Right morning morning, Brian I'm lieutenant tweet nice.

A

To meet you I'll.

D

Be running you through this test today, we've had several stations, I'll explain each one as we get to it. If you got any questions, go ahead and ask okay.

A

D

Will not count against you. You've got two tries to complete each station. If you fail on your first attempt, you get a few seconds to kind of wrap your mind around it. Okay, get your breath we'll, try it a second time. Okay,.

A

D

Of the testing is your physical stamina, so you'll be expected to walk with me on my shoulder station the station and with me throughout each drill. Ok, all right! Ok, any questions for me how.

A

Long, do you anticipate it taking for all 10 stations, it's.

D

15 to 20 minutes, ok, we'll just walk through it. A good clip and we'll go ahead and begin today, since we're on TV will do all the inside stations and drills and we'll go outside and finish up. Ok,.

A

But otherwise this is the test, as it would be taken by a firefighter candidate. That's.

D

Right, ok, you could do your civil service test. huh The top scorers are invited to test from a civil service test and those people invited here. This is a pass/fail. Okay, get two tries at each. If you don't pass, then you're out. Okay from here, you go to the interviews. Okay,.

A

So so that's how you pick a new firefighter. That's right.

D

A

Right well, I'm, looking forward to seeing how it's done so I'll follow you I'm ready to go all.

D

Right, good luck: okay, ready! All right: this is the forcible entry station. Okay grab the big bolt cutters over them all the way up, get them firm against the bolt squeeze hard cut the bowl using any technique. You'd like okay, okay, begin.

D

Very good, all right next, we'll go to the equipment. Carry we've got three pieces of equipment start with any piece. You go up the stairs across the hall down the stairs place, the equipment in the silver duct tape box, okay, okay,.

A

D

You have to stop pause lean against the wall, drop, a piece scuff. The paint get start over. Okay,.

A

All right, all right: okay, any piece of equipment; first, yep.

D

Start with any peace, okay, you can use the strap r. You can put the whole bundle on your shoulder.

D

D

Film, this in slow motion or what.

A

D

Good little cross get you on air hose bundle on your shoulder, walk around the inside of the truck and with me, okay, okay, I'm, just walking with you right.

B

D

Okay, all for the camera. Next to be the ladder climb, okay climb to the top a ladder using the rungs, not the rails. Okay, you've got your leather belt on we'll have a safety line attached to you fun to the very top rest. The top rung with both hands pause, go ahead and descend. Okay, all right all right all right outside okay,.

A

All right ready.

A

Okay, we're getting a little high up here.

A

A

Maybe that through the way, half.

A

Running out of ladder.

A

Caught up a little bit there, almost there.

A

We good okay, oh yeah, you can see campus and everything. I can see my house okay,.

D

All right, the next station we use the sledgehammer okay tape, mark Mark's your your hand, placement okay, go ahead and deliver ten blows to each pad on your account. Good firm blows, shoulder forward going.

A

D

D

A

D

All right, let's go to the extension ladder. Okay,.

A

D

Extend the ladder hello and go up any further: you hear the clunk okay, then let it back down hand over hand up okay hand over hand down okay, let's slip through your hands, you got a two handed your chance to do it over okay, okay, ready begin. This.

A

Rope here, yep.

D

Okay, all right very good. All.

A

Right, what's next, we'll.

D

Go to the hos drag okay.

A

So we're just running the hose up and down the street yeah.

D

A

Down the street or down the street.

A

A

A

Good good and down.

A

Okay, well you're lying. That was the toughest thing. That's.

D

A

Okay, coming down: okay, all right good job, I pass you passed all right. Well, huh definitely was a physical test. That's good! I think I was wearing the facio pants for good luck. Fella.

D

Wayne I wonder what I smelled all.

A

Right well, thanks for your time, I appreciate you guys. Let me do the test and all your setup and work and everything, so you.

D

Bad good luck with your interview, Thanks.

A

Yeah well, there's a lot of steps to becoming an eames firefighter, and today we got to see part of that be sure to tune in for the next where's Brian cuz, you never know or I'll go next.

A

Can I go get a drink of water now.

A