First Due: Firefighters at Work(Caution, 6 Images)

Absolutely Great stuff. I really enjoy your posts!

I have a paging service that notifies me of all working fires or other significant incidents. When I receive a page, I then put a portable scanner to use. I have been fortunate enough to be allowed nearly unrestricted access and I have enough knowledge of the fireground to stay out of the way and never put myself in a position that could be dangerous. I just got back from a fire now that I found myself suggesting to a Police Officer that he was in a bad spot and should move back a bit. The Battalion Chief who was running the fire was within earshot and patted me on the back and thanked me.

Generally, I shoot with the 70-200 f2.8L IS on my 1DMKII and the 24-70 f2.8L on the 5D. For significant incidents with enough available light, I will take a few with the 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS if given the opportunity.

Cassie, Shakin, eenorton, 26thiboy, getting-started, BottomBracket & PaCiFiSt. Thanks very much for the kind words.

eenorton, I am not a retired firefighter but the son of a 30 year Police Officer who had many friends that were firefighters. As I have said, I am working on a book on the CFD and have done a great deal of research. I have been fortunate enough to gain the respect of many of the Members of the CFD who are very generous with their time and knowledge, always willing to answer even the dumb questions. This summer could be an interesting one because I have been invited to spend time with several companies around the city actually riding on the Rigs. When that comes to fruition, get ready, then we will have some images to look at.

Well your research has served you well here. I appreciate the descriptions and explainations of the jobs and rigs and procedures. And looking forward to your ride-along shots!

Nice PJ work. In the first shot of the smoking apartment window, you can see that the apartment below has suffered the same fate at an earlier date (boarded up windows).
These guys are probably pretty familiar with the drill by now.

These buildings are in some cases 90% burned out. They are currently being demolished to make way for a wide variety of new homes. This particular apartment was supposed to be vacant. It was not. Some of the remaining tenants moved into it because it for some reason not explained.