When is a rookie no longer a rookie?

[JHR1985]

When does someone quit becoming a rookie in your opinon?

[CaptainGonzo]

In my FD, one year on the job, when they pass their probationary period. Then they become the firefighter with the least seniority and have to travel from station to station should their services be needed there for the duty tour.

[mcaldwell]

Generally 1 year around here too. Probationary for two months, rookie until they complete the standard training cycle (1 year long).

But since we are a volunteer dept in a seasonal ski/golf resort community, one can be placed back on Rookie status if they leave for a season, and come back. It usually depends on whether or not they remember anything. ;)

[thejdubb02]

I think if you are a paid firefighter then you are a rookied when you first get hired until you get past your probationary period.

If you are a volunteer or intern... well... i dont know.

I am an intern and was called a rookie until i had my first big car accident with and extrication... so maybe expierence kills the rookie! haah :D

[FFTrainer]

Probationary for 6 months

Rookie/New Guy until someone else joins to replace them! :D

[fireguy919]

We are volunteer. it last 6 month but you keep the title for a year. Althought do have a guy the we have called rookie for the last 5 years.

[doughesson]

When your officers start asking your opinion on a tactic,even if they don't use the idea you posit.
But there will always be people who are rookies in the eyes of their officers,no matter how many years they put it.
Starting off in my volunteer department,you wear a blue helmet until you get the 150 training hours in that are required by Kentucky.Then you are handed a red lid to wear,and expected to take the next scheduled IFSAC skills test.
When does someone quit becoming a rookie in your opinon?

[FyrGuy176]

At my Fire Dept. you are a probie for a full year.

Rookie status is a little more tricky. The lowest guy seniority wise is the rookie. When more that one probie is appointed at the same time, then they are the rookies. If a new probie gets appointed, but is not on you shift, you can still be the shift rookie. If the new probie is on your shift, but at a different house, guess what, you're still the rookie to some of the guys.

The status of a probie is static, whereas the rookie stigma is dynamic and everyones experience is individual!

[DepChief135]

In our volunteer dept you get a red helmet upon being accepted as a member. You are promoted to a blue one once you complete the mandatory state taught basic training program. You are awarded your black helmet after one year IF you are deemed ready for it after an officer review of your activity level and performance.

Red helmet - exterior operations only
Blue helmet - limited interior operations under supervision
Black helmet - interior firefighter

I like the helmet colors because it helps avoid asking someone to perform a task they are not prepared to do.

[FireAndy]

1 year at our department, and you are only off probation after you have your MFR and FF1. (we are a poc department).

[JackTee09]

One year. :) :)

[Buzz363]

Generally probationary periods last a year. At the end of that time you're no longer a Probie but you could very well still be a Rookie. Depends on your knowledge, ability , how you perform on the fire ground.

A good rule of thumb in my opinion is, " If you have to ask , you still are". :)

[hwoods]

We are volunteer. it last 6 month but you keep the title for a year. Althought do have a guy the we have called rookie for the last 5 years.


Couple of years ago, at our annual Awards Banquet, a young man seemed a bit sad about not being named Rookie of the Year. He was heard to say to a friend, "well, there's always next year". :D :D

[Plattsfire2]

6 months probationary. Must pass FF1, HazMat and all that comes with it. Must be able to give detailed equipment listing of all compartments on the trucks, what size hose is on each truck, etc. If none of these are met, it's another 6 months. If still not met, it is dismissal from dept.

[Co11FireGal]

Probationary for 6 months

Rookie/New Guy until someone else joins to replace them! :D

Yep! And if several new people join at round the same time then they all get that status until a new one or new group comes along. It's better to be a "Rookie" than it is to be a "Probie."

Prospective members submit an application and it is then reviewed and voted on at a regular monthly meeting...if accepted the member is on 6 months probation, after which they are voted on for full membership...or not...or their probation period can be extended. Everyone pretty much gets a chance to avoid any discrimination issues, unless there are some SERIOUS underlying circumstances there, or they are not physically or otherwise able to perform the duties of a firefighter...in which case we would recommend that the person join one of our auxiliary groups (Ladies Auxiliary or Fire Corps).

[Rossco]

When does someone quit becoming a rookie in your opinon?


Untill they find ways to make the chief look good. :D

[sbfdco1]

We are volunteer. it last 6 month but you keep the title for a year. Althought do have a guy the we have called rookie for the last 5 years.

We have a perm-a-probie too! :D

[BFDNJFF]

One year but just cause you have that one year does not make you a Mr Know it all. Yah need to get your feet wet a few times before you can step up and throw an opinion up to senior FF'. :)

[TomH1138]

Our department is combination full-time/paid-on-call volunteer. All recruits upon completion of the 5 month fire academy enter probationary firefighter status and are actually called 'candidates' as apposed to 'probies' or 'rookies' even though that's what we are. Probationary period lasts a minimum of six months, up to 18 months maximum depending on how fast you learn the ropes. You are required to know how to drive and operate every single piece of appartus the department has and have a certain amount of drive time fullfilled. Then you are granted full-member status.

All firefighters are also required to be certified EMT-Basics at the minimum and must complete field time and a certain amount of patient contacts before they can be checked off to run as an EMT.

It's a lot of hoops to jump through but it gives our department a great deal of flexibility as far as what people can do.

[TRUCK61]

This is a good subject to talk about so here goes. The probie, canidate or NEW GUY is a new person to your department where as the rookie is the person with the least amount of experience. So to answer the question asked here in my own opinion you're a rookie until the boss and your crew says you're not and sometimes this takes people years or maybe even their entire career till they get off rookie status. So that's my take.

[OSD122]

and sometimes this takes people years or maybe even their entire career till they get off rookie status.

I've seen some people who have claimed to have five years of experience, but when you really look at their knowledge and ability, they really only have one year of experience, five times.

[shvfr4]

Well it depends. Probation is 6 months, but we have very strict guidlines to becoming a full member.

The way I look at it, you're a rookie even after probation is up until you know what you need to do at the majority of calls without having to be told. If you know that you're not certified for an airpack or for interior fire fighting and you get on scene for a working structure...you shouldn't even have to think about going and hooking up the truck to a hydrant or pulling a line to the front door while guys certified for packs are packing up. You aren't a ookie when you know what you need to do and when you need to do it. But that's just my opinion...and according to that...I am still a rookie, I am still learning with every call.

[usafyyc]

Well we're kinda messed up. There's three ways for you to loose your rookie status here.

Easiest way: Some younger troop. Or one of same rank BUT new to the base will bump you out of your shift's rookie pool. This is only acceptable if you've been here for like three plus months.

Not so fun way: You get back from your first trip "down range". Upon return from an actual combat zone generally speaking we'll stop calling you a rookie.
However people who don't deploy with you may not recognize this; as they may not know you were in a combat zone. So it's up to your team to stick up for you. If you're not well liked, then you keep your status.

Dude, life sucks for you: About a year. If the above two don't count, you're both cursed with bad luck, AND, for all intents and purposes useless to the unit. Get out there and go to Iraq. Are you not tired of the gopher jobs we keep giving you?! Jeeze! A blind autistic orangutan could loose his rookie status before you!

And all this is fine and dandy but if you shift bases as a jr. member you get to start ALLLLLL over again.

[IACOJRev]

You're a rookie until you can drink the station's coffee without making a funny face.

[FTMPTB15]

Roughly a year.. but as others have said, it could be longer.

Some people are called Rookies their entire career. :D

[MOTOWN88]

Here in the Motor City its after a year, however dont ever stop being a rookie. Never lose your zeal for the job like you had the day you first stepped into the station, be like a sponge learn something new everyday like you did when you were a rookie.

[ResQDiver77]

I am due to be sworn in to my local Volunteer FD next monday. From my understanding of my department we are elligible to have the "Probie" or probational staus removed after a minumum of 1 year. After that year our station officer can put forth a motion at the quarterly Company meeting where it is then put to a vote. So I guess it might be a good idea NOT to get on my officer's bad side.

[nbfcfireman]

I am in a different situation...the first company that I was in I was considered a rookie for 1 year, however your still called rookieby the old guys. After I had about 3 years in I moved to a different company in the neighboring town, although I was technically a rookie, I was not treated as a rookie and got full status after a few weeks(because I had experience and was an officer at my first company)

[lenny91]

Untill they find ways to make the chief look good. :D

I think I like this one. :)

[StLRes2cue]

............

[doughesson]

It is a good idea.What's the worst that he could do?
Piss off some officers and they won't pick you to make the entry and initial attack.
You won't like just being the go-fer long past time for you to be taking the nozzle.

So I guess it might be a good idea NOT to get on my officer's bad side.

[allineedisu]

As long as there is some one who has been on the job longer, there will always be rookies under that member. I don't care if they hire a chief from the outside, they are a rookie in the department, until they work there and all the senior members retire out.

[ftfdverbenec770]

your still a probie for a year, but your still the rookie til someone is hired after you. thats just the way it is.

[CAPPYY]

IMHO- You are a rookie untill the day comes when you know you are no longer a rookie. I found it happened for me when the sh-- would hit the fan and everyone would look at me with them "deer in the headlights" eyes and I could sense they were looking to me for strength, instructions, help, or leadership. Wasn,t long after that I made Captain. Then there comes the time when you've been there done that a couple of times and some things start to become old hat. Then it hits the fan again and Captains and lieu's got those deer eyes. Next thing I know I'm Chief. However, there are times I still feel like a rookie. What a great business this is!

God bless and pull the ceiling as you go.

[doughesson]

I might only have 2 1/2 years on my department but I still figure that I don't know it all.I plan to quit as soon as I start THINKING that I do know it all.Even I should recognize that I'd be a danger to my company and myself when I start thinking that I've BTDT enough that I don't need to learn anymore.


IMHO- You are a rookie untill the day comes when you know you are no longer a rookie. I found it happened for me when the sh-- would hit the fan and everyone would look at me with them "deer in the headlights" eyes and I could sense they were looking to me for strength, instructions, help, or leadership. Wasn,t long after that I made Captain. Then there comes the time when you've been there done that a couple of times and some things start to become old hat. Then it hits the fan again and Captains and lieu's got those deer eyes. Next thing I know I'm Chief. However, there are times I still feel like a rookie. What a great business this is!

God bless and pull the ceiling as you go.

[PFDTruck18]

I recently visited a volly company that I ran with about 15 years ago. Some of the newer members saw me and were quickly calling me "the new guy". I got quite a laugh out of it especially since after about an hour of this one guy giving me more shlt than he should he was openly slammed by the chief who made him aware that I have more time in that deparment than the chief and have moved on to Philly (not a knock againt the vollies).

More to the point, a rookie is a rookie as long as he only knows what he knew when he left the academy. If you havent learned anything, youre a rookie. If you have learned everything, youre a rookie. "I KNOW" will usually only be uttered by rookies. Being a rookie has nothing to do with time it has everything to do with experience and making the right decisions.

[CAPPYY]

OK DOUGHESSON- You are right about not knowing everything...LIKE HOW TO READ! Where in the world did you get the understanding that I think I know it all from what I said? Yea I btdt on alot of things but it doesnt mean I dont take each and every call seriously. Spend your next 2-1/2 years learnin some manners and improve your reading skills.

[doughesson]

Here's my quote,Cappy.I lived in Missourah long enough that you got to Show Me where I said that you thought that you knew it all.
I didn't.I said that if *I* ever thought that I knew it all,I was gonna quit MY department.Nothing was said about you.


I might only have 2 1/2 years on my department but I still figure that I don't know it all.I plan to quit as soon as I start THINKING that I do know it all.Even I should recognize that I'd be a danger to my company and myself when I start thinking that I've BTDT enough that I don't need to learn anymore.

[CAPPYY]

Just happened to include my entire quote with your comments huh? Horsehockey!

[doughesson]

Sure did.Even quoted myself.Jist to show what words I was referring to.When you figure that out,maybe you'll see why I was saying when *I* intend to quit.When I take things wrong and ignore advice,it would be time to realize that someone could have gotten hurt.Nowhere did I mention that YOU should get out of the service.
I don't know you or what your troops think of you.

Just happened to include my entire quote with your comments huh? Horsehockey!

[CAPPYY]

---ok.----

[DennisTheMenace]

Until you are no longer the junior guy in the house, done your probationary period, AND passed your rookie test, you are a rookie. Sucks to be the last guy hired after a long hireing period, cause that rookie period can end up lasting a long time.

[Adam07003]

When you lose somebody and don't worry about not doing things you learned, but realizing you did everything in your power.

[Resq14]

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(note: replace "cop" with "firefighter", and ignore/change some of the police references... and there you have it.)
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You're Not A Cop Until You Taste Them

The department was all astir, there was a lot of laughing and joking due to all the new officers, myself included, hitting the streets today for the first time. After months of seemingly endless amounts of classes, paperwork, and lectures we were finally done with the Police Academy and ready to join the ranks of our department.

All you could see were rows of cadets with huge smiles and polished badges. As we sat in the briefing room, we could barely sit still anxiously awaiting our turn to be introduced and given our beat assignment or, for the lay person, our own portion of the city to "serve and protect."

It was then that he walked in. A statue of a man - 6 foot 3 and 230 pounds of solid muscle, he had black hair with highlights of gray and steely eyes that make you feel nervous even when he wasn't looking at you. He had a
reputation for being the biggest and the smartest officer to ever work our fair city. He had been on the department for longer than anyone could remember and those years of service had made him into somewhat of a legend.

The new guys, or "rookies" as he called us, both respected and feared him. When he spoke even, the most seasoned officers paid attention. It was almost a priviledge when one the rookies got to be around when he would tell one of his police stories about the old days. But we knew our place and never interrupted for fear of being shooed away. He was respected and revered by all who knew him.

After my first year on the department I still had never heard or saw him speak to any of the rookies for any length of time. When he did speak to them all he would say was, "So, you want to be a policeman do you hero?"
I'll tell you what, when you can tell me what they taste like,
then you can call yourself a real policeman."

This particular phrase I had heard dozens of times. Me and my buddies all had bets about "what they taste like" actually referred to. Some believed it referred to the taste of your own blood after a hard fight. Others thought it referred to the taste of sweat after a long day's work. Being on the
department for a year, I thought I knew just about everyone and everything.

So one afternoon, I mustered up the courage and walked up to him. When he looked down at me, I said "You know, I think I've paid my dues. I've been in plenty of fights, made dozens of arrests, and sweated my butt off just like everyone else. So what does that little saying of yours mean anyway?" With that, he merely stated, "Well, seeing as how you've said and done it all, you tell me what it means, hero." When I had no answer, he shook his head and snickered, "rookies," and walked away.

The next evening was to be the worst one to date. The night started out slow, but as the evening wore on, the calls became more frequent and dangerous. I made several small arrests and then had a real knock down drag out fight. However, I was able to make the arrest without hurting the suspect or myself. After that, I was looking forward to just letting the shift wind down and getting home to my wife and daughter.

I had just glanced at my watch and it was 11:55, five more minutes and I would be on my way to the house. I don't know if it was fatigue or just my imagination, but as I drove down one of the streets on my beat, I thought I saw my daughter standing on someone else's porch. I looked again but it was not my daughter as I had first thought but merely a small child about her age. She was probably only six or seven years old and dressed in an oversized shirt that hung to her feet. She was clutching an old rag doll in her arms that looked older than me.

I immediately stopped my patrol car to see what she was doing outside her house at such an hour by herself. When I approached, there seemed to be a sigh of relief on her face. I had to laugh to myself, thinking she sees the hero policeman come to save the day. I knelt at her side and asked what she was doing outside.

She said "My mommy and daddy just had a really big fight and now mommy won't wake up." My mind was reeling. Now what do I do? I instantly called for backup and ran to the nearest window. As I looked inside I saw a man standing over a lady with his hands covered in blood, her blood. I kicked
open the door, pushed the man aside and checked for a pulse, but unable to find one. I immediately cuffed the man and began doing CPR on the lady.

It was then I heard a small voice from behind me, "Mr. Policeman, please make my mommy wake up." I continued to perform CPR until my backup and medics arrived but they said it was too late. She was dead.
I then looked at the man. He said, "I don't know what happened. She was yelling at me to stop drinking and go get a job and I had just had enough. I just shoved her so she would leave me alone and she fell and hit her head."
As I walked the man out to the car in handcuffs, I again saw that little girl. In the five minutes that has passed, I went from hero to monster. Not only was I unable to wake up her mommy, but now I was taking daddy away too.

Before I left the scene, I thought I would talk to the little girl. To say what, I don't know. Maybe just to tell her I was sorry about her mommy and daddy. But as I approached, she turned away and I knew it was useless and I would probably make it worse.

As I sat in the locker room at the station, I kept replaying the whole thing in my mind. Maybe if I would have been faster or done something different, just maybe that little girl would still have her mother. And even though it may sound selfish, I would still be the hero.

It was then that I felt a large hand on my shoulder. I heard that all too familiar question again, "Well, hero, what do they taste like?"

But before I could get mad or shout some sarcastic remark, I realized that all the pent up emotions had flooded the surface and there was a steady stream of tears cascading down my face. It was at that moment that I realized what the answer to his question was.

Tears.

With that, he began to walk away, but he stopped. "You know, there was
nothing you could have done differently," he said. "Sometimes you can do
everything right and still the outcome is the same. You may not be the
hero you once thought you were, but now you ARE a police officer."

Rick Monticello of Somersdale PD, New Jersey

[rjtoc2]

Many firefighters associate the term "rookie" with a certain amount of time (or lack thereof) on the job. There is an old saying in my department... "you can have 20 years of experience OR one (1) year of experience 20 times". I've worked with awesome firefighters with less than 5 years on the job and I've worked with 30+ year captains who I would no more trust any further than I could throw them. To answer the topic question... you are a rookie UNTIL the firefighters you work with say that you are NOT.

[firefighter2454]

In my department you are a rookie for 1 year from your start in the service we do take lateral tranfers and for the guys with years on and fires under their belt your just the new guy who gets half the sh-ty jobs for their 6 month probation. Now with that said the rookies who can't seem to get the hint after a year they will be a rookie until they get their sh-t straight.

[chuckbrooks]

In my old department, one of my Captains still carried the nickname "new guy."

Kind of like calling a big guy "Tiny'

[XRaysJL]

If you have to ask, then you're still one. Or like many of you say, you're one until you're collegues say you're not. I'm with a small volunteer department. We don't see much action thank goodness (Because it means soeone else's life is falling apart). It may be several years before I'd concider myself past the rookie stage.

[DonSmithnotTMD]

http://www.brotherhoodfilm.com/site.html

[hwoods]

When does someone quit becoming a rookie in your opinon?

When He/She grows up, which leaves a large percentage of us (me included) remaining as rookies forever. :D :D :D

[MarcusKspn]

You are a rookie until you quit acting like one!

[Kamododragoon]

In my dept, from what i know and i can't confirm this because i am a Rookie. Your a probie when first enter the dept until ur cleard to ride and run calls by the chief. When your cleared to ride on calls from the A-chief and chief, your a rookie or a probie for one year based on if you have your fire/ems certs already. You stay probie/rookie for a year until the chief clears you as a regular member. We have the helment system,
Red helments = Probies and Rookies. You stay red hat for one year until the chief clears you

Leather helments = Regular members. After your cleared by the chief, you get a leather helment and are considered a regular member

In my dept, Probies and rookies call officers, capt and above by rank, Lts we call them by name. You don't get to call people by their first name unless your one year period is up.

[cuevas623]

You are definetly a rookie until you are mature enough to handle a lot of responsibility and until you can make a gut decsion and stand behind it. I don't think you and put a time period on it. You are until people can trust you enough to be with them under any circumstance. I am in the military and we have the same thing " bootcamps" as we call them are the new guys! they don't have a lot of experience. them like probies need to be taught that the real world is a lot different then boot camp **** hits the fan and all your trainging goes out the window and you need to be able to act on instinct! that is when you are not a probie anymore!

[tecrsq]

One year from the first tour with a crew, and no probationary problems.

[bbergg]

in my department you are probationary for a year but usually reffered to as one of those rookies until another class starts training.

[jonnyirons2]

Rookie? What are we? Cops?

[jonnyirons2]

Rookie? What are we? Cops?