Christmas in Valley Heights

We had an unexpected snowfall on the Valley Heights fire trail this morning. I'm hoping I'll be able to post a picture or two later.

Our RFS training session this morning was on pumps and pumping. We draw water from a creek using a pump into the tanker then pretend to fight a fire. I was pump operator today. It's a tricky business, keeping the water pressure at the right rate, making sure you are sucking water and not blowing it at the right time and vice versa and keeping an eye on the rest of the team to see if the water is being delivered at the right rate. It's an exercise we do from time to time, each time I pick up a snick more.

This morning for the first time in all the time I've been in the RFS we used fire fighting foam. It's used for covering burning oils in car crashes and the like. And it looks just like snow, both on the ground and, if you point the hose at the sky and let it fall, in the air. Two of the fellas took photos on their phones so I hope they don't forget to upload them.

The boys are wishing they hadn't stayed in bed after all.