LSU FETI

Thursday, our homeschool group went on a field trip to the LSU Fire and Emergency Training Institute.  People come from all over the country to train here at this academy.  It is a 14 week academy.  The recruits stay on campus the entire time except on the weekends in which they are allowed to go home.  During their training, there are simulations for all kinds of situations that may happen in real life.  When they leave the academy, they will be ready for a career as a fire fighter.

We started out in a classroom where the children watched a video that showed what the recruits go through during their training.  Each class has to make a video presentation of their 14 week experience which is set to music.  It was very interesting.  You could see that it is a very tense 14 weeks for these recruits…like boot camp!

After the video, some of the recruits did a 2 minute drill.  They had to get dressed in their entire outfit and equipment in 2 minutes or less.  They made it a race to see which one could finish first.  By the way, this is a drill that the recruits complete every day.  You’ll see in the last picture of this group who won.

 

 

Once the drill was over, the children and adults were able to go and talk to the recruits.  They were able to touch the uniforms and equipment.  All of this stuff adds an additional 70 pounds to their body weight.

You’ll see Emma at the bottom of this group with Mrs. Starr.  She didn’t want to have anything to do with the recruits and she said she didn’t want to ride the fire truck!!   

 

  

This weekend they were having an equipment show.  There were all different fire trucks and engines along with other sales reps. coming in while we were there getting ready for the show.  Some of the trucks were brand new straight from the manufacturer.  You’ll see some of those pics along with other vehicles from LSU FETI.  Also, you’ll see some of the props (real life-size) that they use for training.

 

While we were touring, there was a crew from BASF chemical plant practicing a fire simulation that can occur at the plant.  We got to see part of one burn and see them start another.

 

 

Do you see the pond?  That’s where they get their water supply instead of the city supply.  That would be a lot of city water if they didn’t supply their own.

 

This is a train wreck with train track,  It made me think of the movie, Fireproof.

You can see the BASF firefighters huddled under the covered area after the fire was extinguished.  They are probably going through what they did correctly and incorrectly before they set the next fire.

Abram wanted me to take a picture of him holding his ticket that he had brought with him.  Silly boy!!! 

Tate and Luke like to take a picture together when they are together.

 

This is a ship that is used for training.  The burning going on today was for more industrial practice than practical every day experience. 

These are pictures from the second burning we watched.

 

 

Sarah got carried around by her friend, Martha, and her oldest brother, Cade.

Another truck, watching the burn, and a helicopter for more practicing.

  

This is an extra picture that I took while we were walking.  A plane flew over our head and I snapped it.

More practice vehicles (Abram took the second plane photo.)

   

Smiley Abram and Miriam walking backwards.

    

At the end of the tour, everyone got to ride in a fire truck.  Here are the boys getting ready to ride.  Smiling Asa hanging out during the rides.

Here’s a group shot of Candi and her children.  They were all wearing their LSU shirts for the occasion.

 

Look at Cai waving from the front seat of the truck.  I caught this picture when they were pulling in to park.

 

A group picture of me and my children.

 

Here’s a picture of our group minus some parents who didn’t get in the photo.

This was a great field trip.  Thanks so much to Capt. Crain for hosting us.  The kids enjoyed it and it was very educational too.

You can go to Candi and Tracy’s blogs to see more pictures from this field trip.