The Update

I have not written for a while.  My idea of my role in the fire service has evolved and I couldn't write anything about it until now.

Here is the update on where I am going next.  I will be a cheese maker but not at the farm I was applying to.  That farm apparently had some tough times and was not able to make a move on the job.  So I applied and got a job at another farm working under a very experienced cheese maker.  I will also learn how to make yogurt.  I am excited about this opportunity and it means some security for my family.

I originally started this blog as a way to track my progress as a career firefighter.  It does not seem that this is the direction I am going in.  I have wondered if I should get rid of the blog.  I am realizing however, that life is not as linear or black and white as I would like for it to be.  I tend to be all or nothing about my life. So was the case with my aspirations to being a firefighter.  I am beginning to learn the value of being a small town firefighter.

For a long time I did not like some of the aspects of the small town fire department.  Unfortunately there are firefighters that don't take the job as seriously as I think we all should.  I mean lets be honest, if you rely on volunteerism, are you going to turn someone away?  On a small department you have to take what you can get.  On the other hand there are a lot of good things that come from becoming a volunteer.  I can be a firefighter and have time to pursue other interests at the same time.  I'm sure I'll philosophize more on this in the future, but for now I'm satisfied to be a part of what I already know and to find ways of becoming as professional as I can within the framework of any organization I join.

I have decided to continue to post to this blog.  I am still ADVANCING THE LINE in my own little world of fire service and as long as I keep committed to the work I can create a life within fire rescue.

The Big Plan

Ok so its time to get serious now.  I'm working out.  Fine.  But I've got to start advancing this thing.  So here goes:

The Incident Action Plan for operational period 01-04-10 to 01-05-10.

Objective:  stay awake, keep children happy, establish communications with fire dept. resources in Boston metro area.

Strategy: drink caffeinated beverages, provide children with scheduled schooling and play time (emergency episodes of Kipper may be implemented), use internet and telephone to contact department resources.

Tactics: refer to Unified Command (wife and myself) and IAP schedule.

0740 drop son off at bus stop.

0800 drink coffee.

0830 have a little more coffee.

0900 entertain daughter while placing phone calls to fire departments in boston metro area.

1000 go pee (too much coffee).

1005 call Honda dealer to ensure resource functionality (we need a new computer for our car).

1020 check blog to see if anyone is getting this ridiculous command briefing.

1040 call some more.

1100 do some stuff.

1215 contact support branch to set up supply unit for rehab.  (I'll make some sandwiches in the kitchen for lunch)

1330 play with daughter.

1415 pick son up from bus stop.

1445 make dinner (support branch... yadah, yadah, yadah)

1500 go to work.

Fitness Plan

So I said I would write more about the details of my workout, and here is what I'm doing so far.  I have started a program called couch to 5k.  I'm sure some of you have heard of it, I think its kind of popular.  The nice part of the program is that it can be downloaded as a podcast.  The guy tells you when to run and for how long.  There is also music with it so you can get all fired up.  I have been running for four weeks but I've been repeating week two because of interruptions and a cold I can't kick.  Anyway I'm back in the swing of things and after Sunday I'll start week three!

Here is what the program looks like.  I got this from the Cool Running website.

Week	Workout 1	Workout 2	Workout 3
1	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
2	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
3	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)
4	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
5	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.
6	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.
7	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).
8	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).
9	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	The final workout! Congratulations! Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).

The only other working out I've started is some real basic stuff just to start.  I am trying to build strength in my shoulders, pecs., back, and abs.  I am working with a trainer to learn how to work those areas.

So far everything feels great and I look forward to seeing some results in my strength an stamina.  I am always open to advice so feel free to leave a comment.