Fire Walkers – Camp Borden Fire School – Chapter 2 of 6

Written by Harold McNeill on February 25th, 2011. Posted in Fire Department


Fire Walkers – Fire School – Chapter 2

On July 25, 1961, our group of twenty-three was packed and ready for lift-off, the assigned transport an Air Force, Fairchild, C-119 Flying Boxcar, a supply and troop transport. For troops (and wannabe firemen), canvas slings hanging from the sides of the fuselage, provided a place to sit but little in the way of comfort. Immediately outside the fuselage the roar of the two 1500 hp radial engines made conversation nearly impossible.C-119

With a painstakingly slow cruising speed of 200 mph, it was a long, bladder filled trip to Winnipeg where we stopped for a bathroom break, quick lunch and change of flight crew. By early afternoon we were off for the ten hour leg to Trenton. After a late dinner we bunked down but did not get much sleep that night as we all seemed to be giddy from the long flight and thinking about the new experience that awaited. Early the next morning we left by bus for the final 120 mile leg to Camp Borden.

As civilians we were assigned barracks separate from regular recruits – I suppose the brass didn’t want our rag-tag group of civilians to unduly contaminate their sparkling fresh troops. The accommodation and food was great but we generally stood out like sore thumbs in the mess hall and around the base where all military personnel sported freshly pressed uniforms and spit polished boots. By the sarcastic comments directed our way, it was clear the regulars didn’t view us with high esteem.

From the course overview given over the first few days, it was certain the next several weeks would be hard work, both in class and in the field, as first we studied, then put into practice, the skills required to become top-notch crash rescue fire fighters. The real shocker came on our first visit to the practice area with Corporal Breckinridge, our field trainer.

Corporal Breckinridge – Our Field Trainer

Breckinridge, a man in his early 40s with a soft gravely voice, was easy to like.  He came across as a man who knew his job and who was willing to work hard to teach his batch of raw recruits everything Getting Close to Flamespossible about basic crash rescue fire fighting.  The first lesson – a demonstration of the dangers involved in dealing with a large, fuel based fire that could be expected to accompany an aircraft crash. The demonstration caused many us to wonder if we had chosen the right career path.

In the training area a large steel culvert, modified to resemble an aircraft body, stood in mute silence. After pouring several hundred gallons of aviation fuel inside and around the culvert, Breckinridge lit a thunder flash then calmly tossed it into the pooled liquid.  The resulting explosion was thunderous and flames engulfed the metal mock-up. To a man we backed away from the intense heat and acrid smoke.

Photo: A crew from Cold Lake get a closeup test of their suits in the edge of the flames around the mock-up.  (Photo courtesy of Raymond Birn, one of the trainees from Cold Lake)

Breckinridge told us that with a couple of weeks of practice we would all feel completely comfortable walking into that raging inferno. Assuredly we held doubts but Breckinridge was strong leader who inspired confidence with his words. He then donned his protective gear and disappeared in the raging inferno.  When he emerged (to all appearances unscathed) he summonsed a foam equipped fire truck and the flames were quickly extinguished.Walking into Flames

He then instructed us to ‘suit up’ as a smaller pool of gas was dumped in the training area. After being lit, Breckenridge gently guided small groups though the flames as a demonstration of the ability of the protective gear to prevent our being burned to a cinder. It was only by shear force of will, and the gentle encouragement of Corporal Breckinridge, that we were able to walk through those first fires.

Photo: The Fire Walkers get up close and personal with a gas fire. Early in training handlines were held in readiness as we walked through the flames.  Photo courtesy of Frank Fertich, an RCAF Fireman.

Over the next several weeks we learned the theory and, in the field, how to apply foam, dry chemical and a finely misted spray of water to knock down flames. We were soon able, if not totally comfortable, walking through the smoke and flames in order to ‘rescue’ pails filled with sand. While the fire retardant suits worked well, we had to take care that our wool under garments were properly worn. If not, ‘hot spots’ could easily develop, especially in the boots. When this happened it was not uncommon to see one of the recruits rush to the side of the training area and rip off his boots or other gear that had become overheated.

Fire Protective GearPhoto:  Fire protective gear. Note the fireman does not wear any breathing equipment under the helmet.

One of the challenges of walking into an area filled with acrid smoke was holding our breath while we rescued the sand pails and made a safe exit. Those who could not hold out and tried to catch a breath would find their lungs filled with sufficient fumes to keep them coughing for several minutes. After we each suffered that experience we better understood why Corporal Breckinridge periodically left the training area or class seized by a coughing spasm that would cause him to double over.

Week after week Corporal Breckinridge accompanied each recruit as he taught us to calmly and methodically attack a wall of flames. While each of us had only to enter the inferno one or two times a day, Breckinridge would enter several times. In retrospect, it takes little imagination to understand how this must have affected his lungs after several years of teaching. As starting this series of stories, I now wonder what became of that great teacher. Perhaps through the records at Camp Borden an answer can be found. The man certainly deserved to be honoured for his selfless service to others.

Rest and Relaxation

While most of our time was taken at the school or studying in barracks, at few of us managed to catch an occasional week-end away from the base.  It was my good fortune to have an Uncle, Sergeant Allen Hartley, a tank warfare instructor at Borden, and his wife, my Aunt Marcia Hartley (Wheeler), my mother’s sister, living in Alliston, just eight miles from the base.

Uncle Al and Aunt Marcia would lend us their car and, along with four or five chums, we toured the local hot spots, like Barrie, looking to taste of the night life.  We managed to catch a few concerts (Johnny Cash, The Cascades – both before they became stars), meet a few girls (we could compete with the military as Guy Venne made sure they knew we were “USAF SAC” (a step above the RCAF recruits)) and, even though the drinking age was 21 in Ontario, we managed to score a few cases of beer for our parties.

One trip, on the September long week-end, took us to Niagara Falls and Buffalo.  The reason for traveling to Buffalo was to find a bar where we could legally drink (granted we already had a lot of practice). It was one of those lost week-ends that will be long remembered for having been locked inside the gates of Goat Island (US side of Niagara Falls) with a few other young people we had met in a Buffalo bar and were showing the Canadians the sights. On the return trip, on Sunday, we stopped at a drag race-way just outside Buffalo to see, for the first time, high powered dragsters.

On our way back to the border we still had a couple of cases of beer which we knew we couldn’t take into Canada, so stopped by a construction site and strategically placed the bottles as a surprise for the Monday morning work crew. Hey, those American folks gave as a job (and all those nuclear weapons to protect our country) the least we could do was leave a few beer behind as a thank-you.

While a week-end away were a rarity, it did give us a chance glipse the night life and to see the beauty of southern Ontario as the full splendour of fall colors began to appear.

All too soon our training time came to a close and we headed back to Cold Lake to continue our adventures in the Cold War.

Harold McNeill
February 2011

 

Foam Attack

Camp Borden, Training Area.  Recruit with a handline learns to knock down major fire areas using foam.  Photo courtesy of David Birtwhistle, RCAF Fireman.

Knockdown continues

Camp Borden, Training area.  Under the watchful eye of an instructor, two firemen continue to knockdown flames in preparation for entering to affect a rescue.  Photo Courtesy of David Birtwhistle.

Smoke and vapor

Camp Borden, Training area.  Smoke and vapour
surround to trainees exiting the mockup.

Exit with Sand Pail

Camp Borden, Training Area:  Fire trainee from Cold Lake SAC Base removes sand pail after fire has been knocked down.  Photo courtesy of Raymond Birn, SAC Trainee.  Date on photo suggest film was not developed until several months after return to Cold Lake from Camp Borden.

Fire Walker with Hot Spot

Camp Borden, Training Area:  A Cold Lake SAC fire trainee drops his pail of sand and hot foots away from crash scene ready to remove his mask. It appears he was choking from the acrid smoke or had developed a ‘hot spot’ in his gear.  Photo courtesy of SAC Trainee Raymond Birn.

(1948)

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.