Consulting
Oh, the irony. The archetype consultant wears a suit, hangs around airport lounges, works until 3am to get some charts done and revolves around ROI or the like. There is a specific type which will invariably generate an allergic reaction in me for sheer superficiality.
On the other hand, the field I work in actually requires such consulting services. It’s not as much about selling equipment (although this will ensure my paycheck), but many organisations, whether Fire Services, Military or other safety related company departments, will develop very specific risk scenarios that require bespoke solutions. If a factory or public transport shuts down for some time, there’s a potential economic element to it, apart from personal injury and property damage. Examples of such affected critical infrastrucures are plenty.
So now, there is an increasing part of my work dealing with those specific requirements. For instance, how do you safely lift a tram with a person stuck underneath, that is slanted at 15° and no crane can reach? What kind of damage control set do you put together for specific military and civilian ships? Iron ore mines?
Risk mitigation is the underlying element, but the process leading to a product sale is actually a classical consulting process: listen to the clients’ requirement, do an assessment that is not only technical, but also tactical, and produce a product that not only includes gear but also training and perhaps even a tip or two about tactics.
The bottom line? I am in the Consulting business. But one that includes such occasions as being picked up by a fire engine from the hotel and being deposed there by a VIP tramway in the middle of the night :)
dambusters
Another one crossed off the list: after the Bridge at Arnhem, I’ve finally managed to pay a visit to the Edersee Talsperre of Dambusters fame, or Operation Chastise at it is known. This still leaves a few WW2 places I want to visit, such as the Normandy beaches, Bastogne, El Alamein and Guadalcanal to name a few.
Like at Arnhem, I get a little chill as I try to imagine what it was like then – the sound of Lancasters skimming the ridges and dropping their loads. Here’s a little sim of what it looked like out of the cockpit:
With the difference that the bombing actually took place at night. Looking at the steep hills and embankments around the lake, I can’t helü but admire the flying skills of the RAF crews. This is of course omitting the tragedy that struck people living below the dam, who lost their lives or possessions in the aftermath. Also, more than 50 aviators were killed in an operation that actually only achieved a psychological effect rather than economic or strategic, as originally intended.
It’s actually amazing you can see where the dam was repaired following the damage:
The spot is not only discoloured, it is also missing whatever these holes are good for.
Just to imagine what it looked like with a hole in it:
Anyway, beyond all the war stuff, the entire area is pretty much amazingly beautiful, there is a national park attached and loads and loads of tourists, which is much more nice than chucking bombs on top of each other.
In terms of psychological effect and folklore, bless Carling Black Label:
and
Happy Meat
There’s nothing like happy animals! You Love My Meat!
Life story compressed
I hadn’t realised that this evening’s flights from Copenhagen via Geneva to Munich include the places where I was born, spent my childhood and ended up living. Gives an otherwise naff and tedious end of day a bit of symbolism for all it’s worth.
Also nice to see SAS is still using this old flying junk.
Brother where you bound
Sometimes it just strikes you. Spent the evening on Google Earth looking at all the places in London where “things” happened – such as the place where I first stayed, the place where I met Victoria, Camden, Kentish Town, MS Tatershall Castle…
Whereas one grows a bit older and recognises that the past can’t be relived, it it worthwhile taking a break and thinking about the current situation. We all dream about some sort of path of life. A predefined path does not happen, what matters is to recognise current opportunities and make the most out of them. But there is nothing wrong with looking back and having a serious look at dreams or wishes back then.
Tomorrow I am invited to participate as press in a major excercise involving helicopters and other toys – I suddenly find myself incredibily looking forward to this, simply to be there with a video camera. After all, this is what I learned, and found my purpose in. I am still trying to fully understand how Irakli ’94 would have seen Irakli ’10. Tough one. Honestly I’d problably drop everything to be allowed to do video work. On with it.
Brother where you bound? it was great then. It still is now.
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Welcome
Welcome to Irakli West's personal pages on the Web. I am Danish, live close to Munich in Germany, and run FWnetz, an online magazine and training resource for firefighters. In real life, I am Regional Manager Northern Europe for Paratech, teach Heavy Rescue (it's fun, challenging and serves a good purpose) and try to learn more about USAR. I am a member of the Munich Volunteer Fire Department as well as @fire, a USAR and Wildfire NGO outfit.
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