Or, does this happen to Batman?
Here I was, last Thursday, March 18th, having viewed over an hour of
To fight crime and fires, a superhero needs a working belt
PowerPoint, grasping the subtleties of P.A.S.S. (Pull the pin, Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, Sweep the extinguisher from side to side). I knew the fire triangle: Oxygen, Fuel, Heat, and that if you break one side of this triangle, the fire goes out. I learned that you should never fight a fire alone, always have an escape route, make sure there is no falling debris, and make sure the fire extinguisher is rated to handle the fire and that the fire is not a large one. I even learn about overhauling a fire, that is, making sure it is out, many times by stirring the ashes.
We then took a bathroom break before assembling outside at a site where we would take turns putting out a small fire. I walked into the bathroom my head full of newly minted knowledge. I did my business, which did not involve loosening my belt, and then I exited, ready to tackle this last portion of the evening’s training, to take the next step in my CERT training. And then my pants started to sag. The more steps I took, the further it dragged down. I reached down to feel what was the matter and discovered my belt had broken. Snapped off at the buckle, the belt buckle gizmo dangled from one end of the belt and the frayed end of the belt dangled from the other.
Now, it’s definitely hard to fight a fire, even one contained in a small galvanized tub—and even with a partner, 5 firefighters, and the rest of the CERT class hanging around—when you’re trying to hold the extinguisher in one hand and a handful of the waist of your pants in the other.
I had to wonder if this happens to Batman. Does his utility belt ever break? Do his caped crusader pants ever droop?
Will there be CERT training on what to do in case of this emergency?
Inquiring minds want to know.
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