Think you have it bad?

[NJFFSA16]

It could always be worse. Consider this soundbite from an Albanian firefighter:

Pashtrik Xerxa, Fire Fighter:
"Due to the high temperatures, most of the mountains and forest of Western
Kosovo have been burning over the last few days. The main reason we can't intervene is the presence of thousands of landmines, leftovers from the war and we don't have any helicopters or planes to stop the fire."

[MFDExplorer51]

Hmm, around here we have landmines, but they are of the dog variety.

That's a shame though.

[firechick76]

As if the job wasn’t dangerous enough! Now they have to watch out for unexploded land mines. That’s really too bad though.
People don’t think about the long term effects that leaving that stuff lying around could have. My Dad was in the Army based in Germany in the late 60’s and he said that there were some real bad forest fires there and in France and they couldn’t do much about them due to all of the mines and such left over from WW2. War (or the remnants of) doesn’t end when a truce is called and the troops go home…

Stay Safe,
Janelle

[Armyfirerescue]

Ahh yes, well...I'm sure I could add at least 10 stories to your "you think you have it bad" thread. I will just add a few though. These were all experienced by me and other select individuals from my unit...

1. You are dispatched to a brush fire, you arrive and start fighting the fire, you are then informed that the checkpoint you came through (maybe a half mile away) is taking enemy fire, you come to find out later, that the fire was started by a trip flare. (used so the MP's can see if someone is sneaking around the camp at night)

2. You are starting huge fires with huge piles of brush and trees, fueled by JP8, outside of a secured area, with only two or three other people out there to provide protection.

3. You preform a vehicle rescue, with three medics, and three rescue personnel, a set of jaws and an o-cutter. (In a combat zone, in 130 degrees, while wearing body armor, helmet, carrying a weapon)

If anybody would like to hear more, especially all the times we've gotten called for brush fires, then hear the familiar sounds of 155mm mortar rounds cooking off. (Bring a change of underwear) Just let me know!!

Stay safe,

Matt

[Quigger]

ah the lovely landmines...well really landmines arent the problem the problem is those who put them there didnt market in on a map and picked them up after the war or conflict is over. Matt sounds like u have tons of fun over there out on calls. stay safe

[MalahatTwo7]

I spent 6 months on the Island of Love.. er I mean Cyprus, in Nicosia mostly. Doing the line patrols through the city buffer zone was always an eye opener, there are many shops, offices and homes that are still booby trapped with hanging grenades and hidden mines. That was bad enough..... I can't even begin to think what it would be like during a fire scenario.