David Simms
As of August 2005, I will be on a Firefighter exchange program, between the New South Wales Fire Brigades of Australia and the Brampton Fire and Emergency services in Canada for the duration of a year.Guvincanada
Travel Blog Posts
February 8th 2006
On the 8th of Febuary ten guys from the Department decided to go snowboarding/sking for the week at Mount Tremblank... read more
Back in Blighty.
Published: April 8th 2006Europe » United Kingdom » England » Greater London » London City
December 12th 2005
In the middle of December I flew over to England for a cuppla weeks to indulge myself in a good old family christmas, (I know hard to believe but the accent gives me away every time). A time in which I stayed with Mum & Dad, hung with Nan & Sharon, caught up with friends that I hadn't seen for years and revisited our old local haunts. It was lovely to see everyone in the lead up to Christmas, I had the good fortune of Mum bringing Christmas Day lunch for all of the family around a few days early, seeing as I had to be at the Fire hall (how very Canadian of me !) over the Chrissy period. Nan and Mums Christmas lunches are the best. ... read more
The Subtle Differences.
Published: January 21st 2006North America » Canada » Ontario » Algonquin Provincial Park
October 17th 2005
The Canadian summer was a lovely affair what with the late dusks, high 20's, bbq's on chad's/"our" 12th floor balcony overlooking Lake Ontario and the city lights with a bottle of Alaxander Keiths (no v.b. or Carlton over here boys and girls) assuming the position. Chad's unit is in a leafy suburb called Mississauga pronounced "miss-iss-sar-gwar",which is situated at least 15 mins away from where all of the gang related turf war shootings happen, which is nice ! Mississauga is located in between Toronto and Brampton, 25 mins by freeway to either. Brampton has a population of 400,000 and is very similar to Wollongong in size and Toronto has a poulation of 3 million and is very similar to Sydney in size, so I suppose you could say that I live in the equivelant of the ... read more
September 11th 2005
On the 11th of September 2005, I had the privilege of being included in Brampton's Fire and Emergency Services Honor Guard, whilst attending the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa. Under the Honor Guards guidance, I was presented with a unique opportunity to represent not only the New South Wales Fire Brigades but Australia as a whole, in a world class memorial service tribute to our comrades that have tragically offered their lives in the line of duty. The flag party usually comprising of the Canadian, Ontario and Brampton Fire and Emergency Services flags, had a unusual International flavor this year, courtesy of S/FF Chris Arthey, Chris had taken it upon himself to scour Ottawa and walk for miles to obtain an Australian flag, to held by myself and to be included in our flag line. ... read more
August 26th 2005
On the 26th of August 2005, I performed my first Canadian night duty on "A" shift at 201 Stn Brampton Headquarters. The shifts are slightly different to Australian ones, the Canadians like us do the 10 hour days & the 14 hour night shifts but it's in different blocks, instead of the Australian system of 2 days followed by 2 nights followed by 4 off, the Canadian ststem comprises of; The Canadian system works along the lines of 5 day duties straight, followed by 5 days off. Then 4 night duties straight followed by 5 days off. Then you work 2 day duties (Monday + Tuesday), then 3 night duties (Wed night, Thurs night & Fri night), followed by 4 days off. Confused...You should try working it. For the first few weeks, at the end of ... read more
August 8th 2005
At o7oo hrs on the 8th of August, I reported to Brampton Fire and Emergency Services Training College, which coincidently is exactly the same as the New South Wales Fire Brigades Training College, (even down to the fact that, 203 Stn is to Brampton, what 13 Stn is to Sydney). Fortunately for me, (unfortunately for my new found buddies), there was a recruit class that was in their last two weeks of their initial 14 week training, so I was tagged on, taking the class number to 8. Our Instructors were Captain Larry Taylor, Captain Mike Clark & Captain Dana Brashaw who even tailored the language in the lesson plans. Thankfully, all Captains took the time & trouble to become bi-lingual for a few days; Station Officer = Captain Station = Hall Operational = On the ... read more
The Verandah Bar Farewell Bash
Published: September 29th 2005North America » Canada » Ontario » Toronto
July 29th 2005
On the evening of Friday 29th of July 2005, I had my farewell bash at the Verandah Bar in the City, it got underway straight after work at 5:30 and much to my supprise, ended up filling the front bar untill stumps, around 11ish, then we weaved our way up Pitt Street to the old favorite, the Edinburgh Castle, to carry on with the lads from 1 "D", who were also having a farewell gathering. The pictures tell a fairly accurate history of events ranging from me being, early evening articulate host...to late night drunken ameoba, being cared for by compasionate friends. As a migrant that has spent a relitively short time in Australia, to be surrounded by such a number of close personal friends, was truly astonishing and a memory that I will always hold ... read more
International Firefighter Exchange Program
Published: October 17th 2005North America » Canada » Ontario » Toronto
July 27th 2005
The philosophy of the firefighter exchange program is to enable firefighters from all over the world to cross boarders, both nationally and internationally, so as they can both study a specifically nominated Standard Operational Guideline from their host fire service. As one of the participants in the International Firefighter Exchange Program between Canada and Australia, spearheaded by New South Wales Fire Brigades Superintendant Marcus Baker and Deputy Chief Gary Largerquist of the Brampton Fire and Emergency Services. Canadian Senior Firefighter Chad Fiegehen and Australian Senior Firefighter David Simms have "traded places", to the effect of fire stations (fire halls as they are called in Canada), accomadation, friends, surf boards for Ice hockey gear, singlets for skiing apparel. This is quite simply my journal of the exchange, not in any way to be reflected upon as an ... read more
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