Knowing My Capabilities

Robert Johnson - Blog 4

Before I step off the last rung of the ladder, I ask myself, “should I be on this roof?”

At this point of time, I had no choice. I took the blunt end of the pike pole and sounded the roof by striking the roof surface, looking for hot spots and weaknesses in the structure. It sounded and felt solid. I peered down at my partner on the ladder and gave her the go ahead signal. She was carrying up the chainsaw. I took my first step onto the roof and continued to strike the surface. I then turned and accepted the chainsaw from my partner, so she could approach the rooftop safely. Once she was up, I handed the chainsaw back to her. We needed to progress up the gable roof to the mid ridge.

Time is our utmost concern, for we have little knowledge of the fire progressing inside. Our goal is to minimize the radiant heat in the house, by opening up a ventilation hole that would release gases. So far there were no warning signs of an unsafe roof. This would consist of melting asphalt, a spongy roof, or smoke and fire seeping out from the rooftop.

We stopped five feet before the mid ridge. The roof seemed stable so we chose our location. On the other side of the pike pole are two fork-like prongs. I slammed the two prongs into the roof and layed down the pole, securing parallel with the mid ridge. This enables me to utilize the tool as a footing. My partner is communicating with Incident Command, to verify all locations of our team. Also informing them that we are proceeding on the opening. She hands me the chainsaw and then anchors herself next to my back leg for extra safety precaution.

My mind is quickly assessing all the side variables. What level is our oxygen at? How many layers of roofing is there? What is the wind doing? What is our second means of escape?

The wind was light and at my back, so this meant that the smoke would push away from me once the hole was made. I turned on the chainsaw and prepared to make my cuts. When cutting, the chainsaw must be in a 90 degree angle. The first cut I made was a vertical cut about 4 feet long, away from my body. Smoke began releasing through the seam. I then proceeded to make a horizontal cut on top about 3 feet. This cut is crucial because beams come in play. I angled the chainsaw at about 45 degrees and lifted it slightly. This was to prevent cutting through the beams, and losing our support. I then proceed to make a second horizontal incision meeting up at the bottom of the first vertical cut. The last cut is a vertical incision, close to us, and would open up the ventilation hole. We needed to adjust our position so that we were not directly within the gases and heat. We stepped back about 2 feet. I then began to make the incision, and could feel the radiant heat releasing. My gloves were warming up fast. Vision was decreasing slightly as I was finishing. The roof patch fell in and the gases and smoke burst out of the house, eager to escape. I turned off the chainsaw and handed it to my partner. She slowly and safely made her way back to the ladder, watching every step. I then pried my pike pole from the roof, and slowly made my way back to the ladder, where my partner was waiting, so that we can progress as a team. I took the chainsaw from her so she could access the ladder, and from there I handed it back. The chainsaw always goes down first for safety reasons. I then slowly accessed the ladder and while taking my foot back off the roof, I said to myself, “yes, I should be on this roof?”

Now that the smoke and gases are released from the house, our team downstairs can easily identify the source of the fire and put it out. Not only are they putting out the fire, they are able to see what possessions they can save and can control the amount of water destruction.

FIRE ACADEMY TRAINING - VENTILATION

For a while now I have been denying my potential and my abilities. I stopped expressing myself, my thoughts, and all that I have aquired. What I mean by this, is that my solitude is the crux of my own denial. I limited my access to learn from others, as well as to provide help to those who may have needed me. In the book Political Paralysis, Denusha Veronica Goska brings up a question that lingers with me. Why do we not honor what we can do? I think about this all the time, and it’s very true. I have the ability to connect. To pass on information or take it in. Why do I fear that? In reality I don’t fear it, I just convince myself not to do it. I put myself back in solitude because it’s easy to be on my own. But I know I am only restricting my own capabilities.

In the story above, I could not have completed that task without the help of another. It is crucial to understand that we cannot do this alone. This last semester at HSU has been an eye opener for me. A reminder that everything is relevant and the importance of having people around you, is imperative. I am done denying my own power.

"Imagination is Power"

Climate change... immediately most of us think of the 'gloom and doom' narrative, politicians in denial, scientists at the forefront of the 'debate', and of course, extinction. Solutions that have been put forward consists mainly of individual consumption decision making. Focusing on the individual and not the social structure behind clime change only places a temporary bandied on the problem, allowing the root cause to remain hidden. In Kari Marie Norgaard's article Climate Change is a Social Issue, Norgaard identifies the difference between our two imaginations. First, the ecological imagination, which is "see[ing] the relationships between human actions and their impacts on the earth's biophysical system." This type of imagination is well developed, especially in our Western culture. On a hierarchy of disciplines, science always comes first, (which remains justified by natural scientists) so it is important for us to notice how the 'hard' sciences are taken more seriously than any other discipline. Next, Norgaard describes the sociological imagination, which is "see[ing] the relationships that make up this environmentally damaging social structure." This type of imagination goes unnoticed by society, where the social and political conversation about climate change remains inadequate. These two imaginations are on two different platforms, creating once again another barrier we must acknowledge.

A recent finding showed that "more Americans can imagine the end of the world than can envision a switch from using fossil fuels or an economic order than capitalism." So the big question we face - "how society can change course," goes unanswered. Yes, we need a more present sociological imagination in order to attempt to answer this big question, but more importantly, we need a holistic imagination. We need an imagination that seeks to dismantle hierarchies of all kind, human domination, and promotes a more intersectional lens. Having a more holistic imagination will also allow interdisciplinary studies to flourish. Embracing this type of imagination will not only bring scientists and sociologists together, but artists, activists, writers, and many others as well. It seems like a big leap to go from a 'room full of scientists' to a room that is open to everyone, but in order for us to challenge the current social structure, we must all have a seat at the table. I can imagine it - can you?

The Power of Hope

Hope is the essence of believing things will get better. This idea that no matter what the odds, there is still something worth fighting for. Even through the most despairing of situations, hope can be your guide. Like the north star is to someone lost at sea. It's when you discover hope, your real journey begins.

Hope is one of the underlining factors that produces social change. The ability to look at a specific situation and tell yourself “I'm not going to give up”. Granted, this is something that is not easy. It takes real strength to stare a horrible, gigantic problem straight in the eyes and say, “I'm going to defeat you, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday because of people like me  your existence will end”. This is the sort of thinking that separates the forlorn from the sanguine.

Heroic figures of social change like Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King all had something in common and that was their hope. They had hope in people, hope in their movements, and most importantly hope in themselves. These legends used their ambitions to transform unjust systems and will forever be remembered for it. Hope isn't only a characteristic but also a tool. Those who use hope, use it to defy the odds.  

Without hope there would never be progression. People would conform to whatever depressing norm suppresses them and never break free. Having hope is the first step to standing against everything that is wrong and taking a step towards what is right. My bottom line is to be hopeful. I implore you try it, use it , and see the sort of changes you make in your own life. Like Aristotle once said, "Hope is a waking dream".

The Significance of "Insignificant" Actions

Scale can be the activist’s greatest enemy. Problems we work to solve, wrongs that we seek to right, and systems of oppression we constantly try to undermine often prove to be so daunting in our minds that we are crushed by an overwhelming sense of despair. In this drive to address large scale—and even global—issues, we tend to overlook the smaller gestures. We devalue day to day actions as insignificant, as unimportant. I want to challenge this idea that, to be significant or to make a difference, we have to be acting on the biggest, most challenging issues.

We don’t have to be “virtue celebrities,” as Danusha Veronica Gosha describes in her piece Political Paralysis. We can exercise our power, and thus make a difference, in ways as seemingly inconsequential as driving someone to or from the market, or sharing a meal with them. It’s time we recognize the importance of “small” actions, because, together, these small actions can change the world. And even if they don’t, I would argue that there is as much value in improving another person’s day as there is in efforts in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. A simple “hello” to a stranger on the street constitutes action, in my opinion. Fostering respect and care for everyone we encounter creates a sense of community and camaraderie. Building a network of shared esteem and trust is the best way I can think of to “make a difference” or incite change.

We ought to stop basing the value of our actions on whether or not we’re successfully solving the greatest concerns in the history of humankind. I want to challenge the hopelessness of mainstream dialogue on environmental issues. Yes, I’ll admit the situation is undeniably dire. But if we use that as an excuse to do nothing, then the conclusion of our story is written for us (apologies for the clichéd metaphor).

Do little things for each other. Eventually, the little things will add up to bigger things. Recognize these actions performed by the people around you. Vocalize appreciation. Prioritize validation. Through these “small” acts we can achieve great results.