Anybody ever haerd of/witnessed this? [Archive] - Firehouse Forums

wishooter

02-07-2007, 01:42 AM

Myself and a few other members of the volunteer department where I am a probie were discussing the test that we had taken that day for a medium-sized career department in our area which consisted of two shifts. Well, it was brought up that some guy at the early test showed up in a brand new turnout coat. Has anybody ever been to a test and seen anything like this? Or do you think that any of the number of the chiefs may have possibly made some note of this on the test? Anyway, I just thought that was a funny story to share and I would see what you guys all thought about it.

Mihlrad

02-07-2007, 01:52 AM

If i were the chief and saw a guy show up, most likely trying to be impressive. I would take it as he was a noob, had the money to buy the coat, and did to try and impress. Id rather see someone with a coat as dirty as it gets. That person is prolly alot more passionate about the job, and has more experience then the guy with the money to buy new gear just so he can dress to impress.

adam18

02-07-2007, 10:23 AM

I guess I need more info.

Dosent your volunteer department issue bunker gear to each firefigher, even if just training.

the image that poped into my head first was a guy coming to a WRITTEN test wearing a turnout coat, and if thats the case then it sounds a little strange to me. In my head I would be thinking WHACKER, and does he wear it while going to the grocery store?

If it was a training burn test, then I wouldnt have no problem with it as long as the gear was approved by the cheif ahead of time, to allow him to inspect for approval by insurance. If I had the money I would buy my own gear just for the fact that the current gear I have is uncomfortable and stiff at times. Hopefully as each fire and each washing (one thing I think is most important for gear) it will loosen up a little.

nmfire

02-07-2007, 10:32 AM

Umm. Did you think maybe the coat was new because that is what he was given? For all you know, he has been a firefighter for 10 years and just got a new coat because his old one was damaged? Not everyone with a new piece of gear is a newbie. And even if they are, who cares?

KeithA8

02-07-2007, 11:21 AM

Wishooter,
You need to clarify that days events:
What test? Written for a job in that dept?
Did anyone else have gear on? And why?
Was this an agility?
Was it a practical exam?

All we as readers know is that you went to a test and some guy had a new turn out coat on. Not enough info! Paint us a picture.

jccrabby3084

02-07-2007, 05:03 PM

Like some of the previous posts, some more info is needed, but if this was a written test, the No...I never heard of it.

No....I doubt any chiefs or test administrators made a note of it on the test. Possibly a mental note like "what a tool" or something, but they can't make a physical note on the test. That would be unfair and subject to lawsuits either by that person or someone else. You can't mark a candidates test because they stood out in the crowd.

I'll agree with the post who asked "does he wear his coat to the store?"

wishooter

02-07-2007, 06:39 PM

Sorry for not clarifying...yes, this was a written test, nothing more.

callaway75

02-07-2007, 07:36 PM

I'm surprised he wasn't laughed out of the room. He sounds like the king of all whackers..

pletch

02-07-2007, 09:33 PM

I've been in the service for five years, and now again a proby for i moved to a dumb state and have to requalify for my classes. anyways, i keep my gear clean almost brand new clean, so i look good, and its safer, they have proven that dirty gear kills, so it may be funny, buy i know who ill trust.

adam18

02-08-2007, 10:04 AM

And I'll agree 100% that keeping your gear free of soot is a great measure of prevention. I think what we are all in shock about is the fact that HE WORE IT TO A WRITTEN TEST, not the fact it was, or looked brand new. I just cant see any reason why someone would do this, but then again he probably had two hoods on, so it was ok. (inside joke for some)

Jonnee

02-08-2007, 11:30 AM

Maybe is was very cold there and he wanted to stay warm??

Makes no difference what an applicant wears as long as they are dressed.

I get a new coat and trousers when mine are worn and can't be reparied. Even wearing a new coat after 20 years I get questions, but I come back with I needed a new coat, so be it.

doughesson

02-08-2007, 12:40 PM

So what if he did?I wasn't there so I can't ask the guy why he wore a coat to a written test.
Must be nice to never do anything that others find hilarious or fault with.Tell me how you do that because I still make mistakes that my friends find amusing.

adam18

02-08-2007, 01:46 PM

I definatly found it amusing, thats for sure.

SPFDRum

02-08-2007, 01:55 PM

Don't worry at every career test, there will be some yahoo there with some type of whacker gear thinking the personnel department will see it and give them a leg up. It don't work, even for a smaller department like St. Paul gets 2000 testers, and they don't care if you showed up on foot or horseback. As long as you are on time and have what they require.
Though the turnout coat is just asinine.
So what if he did?
Doug, in St. Paul, the city still owns the gear and the SOP's a pretty explicit on how and when it should be worn. If you own your turnouts, I'm sure it's ok to wear them out and about the town. Just don't expect me not to laugh at you.:rolleyes:

XRaysJL

02-08-2007, 03:26 PM

I showed up at my test with brand new gear. As I went through my class I was borrowing someone else's gear because my department had ordered me my stuff but it hadn't arrived. And as luck had it, my new gear arrived about 4 days before my test date. So I have to say that I did the same thing. At least my helmut had already gotten dirty.

adam18

02-08-2007, 03:53 PM

XRays, this guy showed up to the WRITTEN test with the coat on. You didnt take your written test in full PPE did you?

CaptainGonzo

02-08-2007, 03:59 PM

20 years ago, I worked as an evaluator for a couple of civil service CPAT tests.

One guy showed up for the CPAT wearing a suit and tie... I have no idea what he was thinking...

callaway75

02-08-2007, 04:56 PM

"You didn't take your written test in full ppe did you?" Adam, that was too funny.

XRaysJL

02-08-2007, 07:41 PM

Ooops, I thought that y'all were talking about the hands-on practical test.
Whheeeewwww!!!! I wasn't no where near that bad, I just had my hospital type scrubs on because they fit better underneath the PPE's then jeans do.

ElectricHoser

02-08-2007, 09:04 PM

New gear can mean lots of things.
Probie.
Whacker Buff (bought own and it'll never go in a structure).
Replaced worn out set.
Recently cleaned, which we should all do when it gets too dirty.
Dirty gear can mean lots of things.
Probie (handed down).
Whacker Buff (rescued from dumpster behind station).
About to be replaced, waiting for delivery or budget approval.
About to be cleaned, but gotta finish the shift.
AND Idiot who thinks dirty gear makes him look experienced.
Making judgements about a person wearing gear in any condition is frequently foolish unless you have all the facts, unless the stuff is grotesquely filthy and the wearer sports wraparound sunglasses and NO FEAR stickers on the helmet he baked in his mommy's oven to brown it up. :eek:

Still, I agree with the original thought..... wearing turnouts to a written test is pretty damned silly. :rolleyes:

DocVBFDE14

02-08-2007, 09:52 PM

When I took my written exam, I was fully encaspulated in my bunkers. Brought along an extra long coat and 3/4's just in case I needed them. As soon as the proctor handed out the exams, I was sure to get down on my knees and get under the desk to ensure I stayed low. Realizing I was not getting the full experience, I turned my flash hood around to better take my firefighting test in a firefighting enviornment.

I am sad to report though that I failed. It seems I didn't get any marks on the answer sheet. The good side is, with all the little lead bubble marks on my turnout pants, it made it look like I was using a Partner saw on a roll up door

CaptainGonzo

02-08-2007, 11:29 PM

Mihlrad

02-09-2007, 01:57 AM

Maybe he wears the clean gear as his casual clothing and his dirty gear is at the firehouse?

callaway75

02-10-2007, 01:09 PM

clark918

02-11-2007, 01:11 AM

Maybe is was very cold there and he wanted to stay warm??

I'm guessing this guy might be talking about the Madison test last Monday. If he is, then actually it was really cold. haha With the windshield it was around -30 degrees or so. All of the schools in Madison(except University of Wisconsin) were closed that day. I actually wouldn't doubt if that's the reason he wore it.

DocVBFDE14

02-11-2007, 09:47 AM

LOL, Good one Doc! I must now go and clean my keyboard of freshly spewed coffee. Did you stop at all green lights and remember to wear two hoods? I sure hope you had your spare bottle, some of those tests can be long!!

No but it was rough manuvering with the bottle. Come to think of it, I dont even think I finished the exam. My mother started telling me it was time to get out, her remote access/GPS sensor in my Compass device told her I was down to 50% in my bottle. So Command told me I had to vacate the test site. If my low air alarm went off I would have been stuck with dishes and the trash for a week. Without my allowance

doughesson

02-12-2007, 02:10 PM

Doug, in St. Paul, the city still owns the gear and the SOP's a pretty explicit on how and when it should be worn. If you own your turnouts, I'm sure it's ok to wear them out and about the town. Just don't expect me not to laugh at you.:rolleyes:

I was on a vollie department but members could buy their own.Y'know,one dirty,nasty set for fire calls and another perty set for "dress occasions"like a school where they were teaching a course.Never knew anyone that was so gungho that he wore it out and about,though.
But then,I did know kids in school up through the 8th grade who'd bring a lunch box for registration day.