Group Forums >> Small Volunteer Departments >> New Firefighter at a Vol. Dep.
New Firefighter at a Vol. Dep.
1 post back to top |
Posted 4 months ago I have recently been hired on at a small POC department in the suburbs of Des Moines. I don't really have a discussion, but if anyone has any advice I would be very grateful. Thank you for being fire fighters. I'm already starting to see the treatment is a little different than some other folks, but that's okay, they aren't the reason I'm a firefighter. 10 8. |
397 posts back to top |
| Posted 4 months ago Potatoman, welcome to the Fire service , Iam a Volunteer also 25+ yrs . Just keep your ears open and eyes on a look out ! Watch everyones back and yours too .TRain,train,train. not the choochoo .LOLDo as the Officers ask. and you wil be okay . Just be safe and strong |
98 posts back to top |
| Posted 4 months ago Congratulations! I wish you all the best, & most of all be careful out there!! |
1019 posts back to top |
| Posted 4 months ago learn all you can, and then learn some more. If you are gonna stop learning you might as well stop living we learn from mistakes too so do not whip yourself when you make a mistake, always own up to the mistake and do not make the same one twice. You got to do what you got to do, when you got to do it whether you like it or not. |
150 posts back to top |
| Posted 4 months ago Congrats. Welcome to the Brotherhood. As everyone has said learn learn and learn. You never know enough in this job. If you get the chance pick the ol timers brain to learn from them they are your best resource. When the going its tough the tough get going in! |
6 posts back to top |
| Posted 4 months ago One of my older friends, who I've known since I was in Jr. High, is on my fire department, and soon after I joined he swung by while I was at the station one day and sat me down and gave me some good advice, the gist of it being -- work hard, keep your mouth shut, be polite to but keep your distance from the....well, the people that will drag you down. (After a year and a half, I'm comfortable enough that I have trouble with the keeping my mouth shut, but all in all his advice has served me well. :) ) From my own experience, remember to slow down. Running off half-prepared or missing something isn't worth the saved seconds!!! Don't leave your keys on the bumper of the truck that's behind your locker. In fact, reallly try not to leave your keys or shoes or any of your gear ANYplace besides your locker. :) Wear long socks in your boots - trust me. (One guy I knew took his final FFI & II tests in shorts, w/o long socks...he had scars on his calves from the boots rubbing for months.) Respect your officers, even if you want to smack them sometimes. It's not easy being an officer. ADMIT IT WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW SOMETHING, OR YOU FORGOT. It's okay to make mistakes during training - period, no matter what anyone tells you. Mistakes are how we learn. You know you're being taught by a good guy or gal when they let you make your mistakes and get to equipment failure (within reason, lol!) and don't just baby you through the process each time. Ask questions. Even if you don't feel like doing that duty at the moment, if you know you should be......do it. Put it back the right way. Don't take shortcuts. Check all your SCBA straps to make sure they're not tightened, check the bottle pressure, replace medical supplies you use, etc. etc. (Or whatever your SOG tells you to do and you know what is the RIGHT WAY to do it...do it the right way no matter how tired you are.)
|
|
6 posts back to top |
| Posted 4 months ago Oh, and.....don't ever let anyone make you feel inferior for being a volly rather than a 'real' firefighter. :) That's a load of crock and someone who feels that way probably isn't worth your time. |
59 posts back to top |
| Posted 4 months ago Listen to everyone even the people who seem like complete idoits will teach what not to do or say. when in doubt ask questions although there are dumb questions its better to ask a dumb question then do something dumb and hurt yourself or someone else because you didn't ask. get to know your equipment be able to get anything someone asked for it will take time but that's good the more time on the trucks the better. finally remember the fire doesn't care if you are brand new paid volunteer or a vetren of 20 years so train hard and stand tall everyone is a firefighter just some are lucky enough to get pay check |
