The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Suzi Blackman and Pat Vorreiter share some nervous laughter while preparing for the exercise.

Fired Up

Hot new program teaches residents about public safety

By Natasha Collins

The thump-thump-thump of their hearts was the loudest sound audible in the darkness. A shroud of black smoke hid anything farther than three inches away.

And then, in a corner, an orange glow appeared. It grew and climbed the walls, finally washing the room in an eerie illumination that fascinated and terrified at the same time.

The heat rose: 500, 1,000, 1,500 degrees.

Layered in protective suits, the cadets found the ladder that would lead them outside. With a push, a door gave way to safety. Mission completed.

"It was really scary," said Councilwoman Pat Vorreiter, a trainee in the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety Community Academy Course. "My heart rate was going so fast. I was on my hands and knees, the floor was wet and I had no idea where I was going."

Fifteen residents--including councilmembers Vorreiter, Fred Fowler and Manuel Valerio--participated in the Nov. 19 fire drill. The exercise was the first in what officials hope will be many classes that will help residents learn what public safety officers do on the job, said Commander Gil Candelaria. During the 12-week course, participants learned how to drive emergency vehicles at high speeds, handle evidence and shoot a gun. The finale of the course was participating in a live burn.

"This course has given me a real appreciation for public safety officers," said Linda Kilian, vice president of the Sunnyvale Elementary School District board. "I understand now why they do what they do."

Talking and laughing nervously as they dressed, the cadets soon learned the fire equipment was a lot heavier than they expected.

"I can't move very fast in this outfit because it is so heavy," Vorreiter said. "If this was a real fire, the whole town would burn down if I had to fight it."

Candidates were alarmed as the breathing apparatus was placed over their heads. When the valve is turned, it takes less than a second for air to reach the mask. But for a moment the cadets felt they could not breathe.

"I was a bit worried there," Fowler said to the firefighter assisting him with the mask. "There was no air at first, and I felt like I would suffocate."

Firefighters quickly grabbed a fire hose as Vice Mayor Valerio rushed out of the burning building. Steam rose from Valerio's shoulders as the water hit his body. He hadn't caught fire, but was heating from the inside out. The room had reached such a high temperature that as he began to sweat, steam was produced and his skin began to burn.

"It was the same stingy sensation as sitting on the beach and your shoulders get sunburned," Valerio said as he placed ice packs on his shoulders. "Sitting in there wasn't too bad. It was the heat that was really bad."

The fire suits have an impermeable layer so no moisture can get in, but at the same time moisture can't escape.

"We don't have summer outfits, so we do lose people sometimes because they get too hot," Lt. John DeBattista said.

The next class is expected to begin next fall and will meet on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m.

"We have had countless requests to attend the course," Candelaria said. "We hope to be able to accommodate everyone who is interested."

Those interested in attending the next class must fill out an application and meet certain criteria to be chosen. Only 15 people will be selected to participate in the next class. For more information about the Community Academy, call Lt. David Diaz at 730-7196.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, November 26, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.