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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-10-05, Page 4210 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday,October 5, 2005 Tribute to our FIREFIGHTERS 5Eirerantit-gyin O'Rourke up to the challenge By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF DASHWOOD — Firefighting may be a male -dominated world, but that hasn't stopped Dashwood's Darlene O'Rourke. November will mark O'Rourke's third year on the Dashwood and Area Fire Department. A former member of the women's Bluewater Tug -of -War team for several years, O'Rourke was encouraged to try out for a professional fire department in Toronto. While waiting lists make it diffi- cult to get on professional departments, O'Rourke decided to join the Dashwood department and says she enjoys it. "It was intimidating at first, walking into a room full of men," she admits, but adds she already knew many of the fire- fighters and had no problems fitting in. "It's like a family," she says of the Dashwood department. O'Rourke decided to join because she likes to try new things and get involved in the community. Her decision was partly inspired by seeing what firefighters went through during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror- ist attacks on the United States. In addition to her duties with the Dashwood department, including prac- tices twice a month, O'Rourke's interest in her role with the department has led her to take firefighting courses in places such as Gravenhurst and Cambridge to improve her skills. One of the subjects studied included how to react in a flashover situation, which occurs when a room gets so hot during a fire it explodes. O'Rourke also has her DZ licence, enabling her to drive the department's pumper and trucks. "Any extra thing we can do, it helps," she says. O'Rourke has experienced fires on both sides of the fence — as a firefighter and as a victim. In December 2003, she found herself in the ironic situation of respond- ing to a fire call and discovering it was her own apartment building on fire. "It was the worst feeling in the world," she says. The fire destroyed the ground -level apartment. While O'Rourke lived upstairs, her apartment and belongings suffered extensive water and smoke damage, although she was able to save some items, such as pictures and antiques. Because of the damage, though, the building was demolished. O'Rourke says the local fire depart- ments and the community were "very supportive" of her and helped her after the fire. In addition to her own fire, another incident that stands out for O'Rourke is last winter's fire at the Oakwood Inn. It was a long night for firefighters who were working in conditions so cold icicles were hanging off their helmets. O'Rourke credits her employers, Hayter's Turkey Farms, for being sup- portive of the department and allowing her to respond to calls during the day. "Being a volunteer, you have to be ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week," she says, adding that it's impor- Dashwood's Darlene O'Rourke has been with the fire department for three years and describes the department as "like a family." (photo/Scott Nixon) tant she respond to calls during work hours because only a handful of Dashwood firefighters work in the village during the day. As for why there aren't many female firefighters, O'Rourke says it is physically a tough job and some women may be too intimidated to try it out. She estimates the equipment she wears weigh about 50 pounds, and the hoses and other pieces of equipment are additional burdens. "You've got to be physically fit, that's for sure," O'Rourke says, adding another reason women may be reluctant to volun- teer is because of family concerns. On the other hand, O'Rourke says hav- ing more female firefighters could be beneficial to female victims who would feel more comfortable in the presence of a woman A challenge for volunteer firefighters in small communities is knowing the victims they are helping, something that has hap- pened to O'Rourke. In such cases, she says it's important to focus on the job at hand. Firefighter enjoys community service By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF DASHWOOD — It takes a willingness to do hard work, an ability to learn new things with an open mind and an atti- tude of professionalism to be a volunteer firefighter. So says Tim Teeter, who has been with the Dashwood and Area Fire Department for about three years, although he says he's always been inter- ested in it. Shortly after moving to Dashwood, where he lives with his wife Liz and their two children, Teeter met up with Dashwood chief Jim Hoffman, who asked Teeter if he'd be interested in joining the department. After attending the department's annual Firemen's Breakfast and writing a letter to council, Teeter joined the department. A former paramedic, Teeter has a medical background, which helps him in his role as a firefighter. Dashwood firefighters hold practices twice a month, learning things such as using the jaws of life, car extrications and training on other pieces of equip- ment, such as the oxygen tanks. Another exercise is to hold practices mimicking the low visibility circum- stances firefighters face in heavy smoke. Teeter says he also learns from the more experienced members of the department. Teeter enjoys the community involve- ment that comes with being on the Dashwood department and says he likes helping others. He says there aren't many car acci- dents in Dashwood, but the high volume of traffic on Highway 83 in the summer is a constant concern. Of the fires he's attended, last the destruction of the Oakwood Inn Pub last winter sticks out in Teeter's mind. He described the experience as frustrating because firefighters knew they couldn't stop the fire from destroying the pub. "Someone's losing all of their memo- ries," he said. On the other hand, firefighters can also experience the highs of being able to save a person's property, something Teeter has also gone through. As a firefighter, Teeter carries a pager with him at all times. Being on call can We at Dinney's are very proud of our Firefighters Fine F erniture, FYDaring and Window Fashions 467 Main St., Exeter 235-0173 be a frustration for firefighters as they try to juggle their day jobs and family lives with their responsibilities to the department. There have been times when Teeter, who works at Kraft in Exeter, hasn't been able to respond to calls because he has been too busy at work. Being a firefighter is anything but glamorous, Teeter says — during a fire, they'll get wet and dirty and, if it's win- ter, cold. It often takes three hours of cleaning up back at the station after a fire. Firefighters also work at the station on the weekend, checking on the trucks, doing maintenance work and general housekeeping. And in addition to the annual Firemen's Breakfast and boot drive (for Muscular Dystrophy), the Dashwood department tries to get out to local schools during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 9-15). Teeter encourages anyone interested in firefighting to volunteer with the Dashwood department. But be prepared to accept responsibilities at all times of the day and night, he adds. Tim Teeter has been with the Dashwood and Area Fire Department for three years and says he volunteered to be involved with the community. Above, he holds his one -year-old son Raydon. (photo/Scott Nixon) ADVANCED AUTO PARTS & SALVAGE 70081 Ausable Line, Crediton (519) 234-6252 Best wishes to all of the firefighters, it has been great working with you over the years. /THANK YOU` FROM LotLE'3. 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