Blogs from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, North America - page 102

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

I'm leaving on a JET plane... Japan here I come! I left Toronto with great excitment, and many tears. I don't do very well with goodbyes, so it was an emotional exit at the airport. There was a group of about 130 JETs leaving Toronto, and some of them I met for the first time with teary, puffy eyes. Quite the first impression! We flew with Air Canada to Tokyo. The flight was long and exhausting! Thirteen and a half hours later, I had eaten two of the same meal, tried desperately to sleep but was totally unsuccessful, and finally hit ground in Japan. When we got off the airplane, the heat hit me like a ton of bricks! Wow! I made it through customs (phew) and was shuffled to a bus. It seemed like there ... read more

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

I've been in Toronto for a week now and have been having a great time. I arrived at Toronto airport with my enormous board bag and my back pack and Peggy (my cousin's partner) was there waiting for me. When she saw my head poking out from behind all my stuff I'm sure she was glad she had brought Adams truck to pick me up. Adam and Peggy live in a beautiful part of Toronto called the Beaches. For my fellow Aucklanders it's a lots like Devonport. Quiet, tree lined streets; pretty, little old houses and it's a ten minute walk down to lake Ontario. Which is like the sea except fresh water and freezing cold. The weekend just been was the Beaches Jazz festival and it was so much fun. The main street gets blocked ... read more

Hey guys! Just trying out the site. I know you guys demanded emails and lots of pictures so hopefully I can update this often enough to satisfy the mom+dad that I am safe and sound as well as satisfy you kids that I have Sam under control. JUST KIDDING! I leave tomorrow and I'm still not packed. Yes, I am procrastinating because I don't have Alia here ironing all of my clothes and packing for me (because I do it wrong...apparently). Love you guys! Thanks for coming out and saying goodbye last night! Jen... read more