Local Leaders Get a Taste of Fire Fighters’ Life

Fire fighters face serious risks on the job. They face heat, flames, physical and mental stress, and high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and other toxic risks in the areas around fires. Metro Washington Council president Jos Williams joined DC Council members and local reporters in a "Fire Ops 101 "event hosted by the Washington D.C Fire Department and Fire Fighters Local 36 last October. The politicians and reporters donned full firefighter gear and participated in a number of training exercises that gave them a taste of what fire fighters face every day. Click here to see a video. "This was an incredible experience,” said NBC4 reporter Mark Seagraves. “I recommend (it to) every reporter and council member, so they can fully appreciate what we're reporting on and what they're legislating.” Metro Council president Jos Williams emerged from a smoky crawlspace and said “Your adrenaline is pumping...it's almost like survival (and) instinct (takes over), even though this was (just) practice."

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