Career Tips

[argr275]

I was recently hired on as a career firefighter in South Carolina. I have limited experience as a volunteer firefighter in Ohio where my dad is the chief and my brother is the asst chief. What are some of the things I can do to become a better firefighter and have a long and prosperous career?

[CaptainGonzo]

Keep your volunteer experience in Ohio to yourself... nothing gets probies into trouble more than the statement "at my old FD, we did it this way, etc".

Listen more than you talk.

Be the first one to get up and do committee work.

Be able to laugh at yourself.

[Geinandputitout]

A strong back will take you a long way in this job.

The things that I tell my rookies:

1) Workout everday.
2) Wear your seat-belt everytime the truck starts.
3) Don't ever watch anyone work.
4) If you can't see your feet, you should be crawling.
5) You can't be a brother if your an only child.

[BCLepore]

The First Day

The following article is being reprinted with the permission of the author, Firefighter David Shetland of the Long Beach Fire Department.

The fire service is going through unprecedented turnover due to the Baby Boom generation retiring. Hiring is at an all-time high.
The downside is, we are losing an entire generation of experienced firefighters. Most had military experience; as a result, their work ethic, motivation, and esprit d’corps served as an excellent example for rookies.
With these personnel gone, firefighters with only three or four years experience may be thrust into the unfamiliar position of being the most experienced person on the job – the “Bull Firefighter.” As such, he or she must serve as a role model to new hires.
This information is based on years of instruction that was given to me several years ago by my senior firefighter. I have shared it dozens of times with other firefighters, and it has served them well. Now I will pass it on to you.
I’ll always remember what the drill instructor told me on the last day of academy: “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” Since then, I’ve done a lot of thinking about ways to make a positive first impression – hopefully, one that will last your entire career.
After receiving your initial assignment, you should probably visit the fire station before your first shift. This offers several advantages over showing up the morning of your first day of work. Among them:
• Locating the fire station ahead of time ensures you won’t get there late on your first day because you got lost.
• It’s advantageous to become familiar with the firehouse in advance. Where do you park? Is there a gate and, if so, will you need a key? Will you be issued a station key? Where should you put your turnouts, and what time should you arrive?
• You can talk with the other rookie(s) to learn the morning routine and find out what duties need to be completed before line-up. For example, what time is the flag raised? When is the paper brought in and coffee started? Find out any other special information that may pertain to that particular station, and ask for a tour.
• Don’t forget the importance of becoming familiar with the apparatus on which you will be riding. You are going to be a vital part of that apparatus and its crew. Know it; live it; learn it.
When you show up on this reconnaissance mission, be sure to bring ice cream or another treat with you. This will go a long way with the crew.
When your actual first day of work arrives, it is a good idea to show up in uniform (and carrying donuts). Be nice and early.
The absolute first priority is to find out which apparatus you will be riding on and where. Once you have learned this information, relieve the person in that seat and check over the apparatus thoroughly.
My suggestion is, once you have put your turnouts on the rig, immediately check your breathing apparatus and all its functions. If someone should ask you the pressure in the bottle, you should know it!
Now go through the rest of the rig with the same resolve. Your life, as well as the other members of your crew and the citizens you are sworn to protect, depends on this equipment.
Here is something else to consider: If your fire station has multiple rigs, you should know them all. At a moment’s notice, you just might be temporarily assigned to another piece of apparatus.
Once you have completed these tasks, make sure to get right to your daily duties. Finish them expeditiously.
When the captain calls line-up, be the first one in the kitchen. While you’re waiting for the other members to arrive, straighten up the kitchen and start serving coffee. Be the last one seated, and provide service throughout the line-up.
It just doesn’t look good for you to stand around while a senior member of the crew serves coffee. We’ve all had our “day in the sun,” and now it’s your turn.
Once line-up is done, start working on the weekly duty. Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do.
If at any time a run comes in, make sure you are the first one on the rig. Write down the address and the nature of the call.
It’s not uncommon for other crewmembers to say, “Where are we going, and what is it for?” This is especially true if the department doesn’t have MDT’s. The point is, if they ask and you have the information, it’s Brownie Points for you.
When you have completed your daily and weekly duties, what is next? This is a good time to ask other crewmembers if they need assistance with anything. If they don’t, it’s time to go through the rigs again and again.
What kind of impression will you make if a piece of equipment is requested and you don’t know where it is? You know the answer to that! I can’t stress enough the importance of not only knowing where everything is, but what it is and how to use it.
As a rookie, you’re under the microscope. In other words, you’re going to be scrutinized throughout your probation.
The following are some general guidelines for not only making a good first impression, but also creating a reputation you can be proud of your entire career:
• Introduce yourself to everyone. Don’t wait to be asked who you are.
• Don’t be afraid of mistakes! If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not learning.
• Never give up your tools. If someone asks to borrow them, inform the person that as soon as you have completed your initial task you will be happy to assist him or her.
• Always answer the phone.
• Show initiative – do things without being told.
• Do one extra task per day for your station or apparatus.
• Be seen but not heard.
• If you’re not sure if you should be in full PPE, err on the side of caution and fully suit up.
• Be the last one to bed and the first to rise.
• Prepare completely for drills. Remember, the rest of the crew has heard the drill numerous times. Do everything possible to give them some new information they may not have heard before.
• Always give 110%. You want others to tell you to slow down, not speed up.
• Remember, if they want your opinion, they will give it to you!
A career in the fire service is a privilege - so no complaining about being interrupted during dinner or after you go to sleep. When you are given what you feel is a tough or crummy assignment, remember that you don’t “have” to do it, you “get” to do it. Never forget that!
Being a rookie is not an easy task. The fire service is filled with old traditions and quirky nuances, but if you start with these simple guidelines, you’re sure to create outstanding habits and make a terrific first impression. Believe it or not, you’ll probably look back on your probation as the greatest time of your life!

Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
www.aspiringfirefighters.com

[CaptBob]

What you do when you first start out will set your reputation and follow you throughout your career. If you don't start out on the right foot, they will show you the door. The crew already knows more about you before you show up than you think.

Use these standards during station visits and your interview process to demonstrate you already know what to do when hired:

You're a snotty nose rookie. Keep your mouth shut. Be cordial, friendly and humble. You have no time or opinion until you earn it. You can't force it. That will come with a lot of calls and a few fires.

Cel phones and pagers are causing problems for candidates and rookies. A candidate was in a department academy and his cel phone starts to ring. He told the training officer, can you hold on a minute, I have a call. Yea, right. The training officer told the class the next time he hears a cel phone go off, they were going to play who can throw the cel phone the furthest.

On an emergency call, the BC was trying to raise dispatch without success on the radio. The rookie took his cel phone, speed dialed dispatch and handed his cel phone to the BC. Cute? Smart? Innovative? That's not the reception he received.

Rookies are carrying their cel phones and pagers on duty. Their phone rings, they answer it and go right into cel yell with their friends and relatives. Wives, girl friends and dysfunctional others call all day long with "Important Stuff" and to do pillow talk. Cel phones are ringing in locker rooms. Some try to be cool by putting their cel phones and pagers on vibrate. Even though they might not answer them when they go off, they still pick them up to check the caller ID or the text message. Then when they think no one is looking, they slip off and return the call. THIS IS DUMB! These are not part of your emergency issue.

This will not get you off on the right foot. Big clue here. Leave the electronic leashes off and in your vehicle along with your piercings until a time where all your duties are complete. No matter what you might think and how friendly everyone seems to be, you are being watched! It could hurt you big time.

If you have an emergency situation, ask your officer if you can carry your phone because you are expecting an emergency call.

Call your new captain before your first shift and ask if he wants you to bring anything in. Bring a peace offering of donuts and desert your first day. Home made is best. Arrive early and ask the off going firefighter what you should know at that station. Your new captain should meet with you to outline his expectations. If not, ask him.

Unless you're told differently, put up and don't forget to take down the flag. If the phone or the door bell rings, make sure you're the first one running to answer it. There will be certain duties on each day of the week. Tuesday could be laundry day, Saturday yards. Keep track. Stay busy around the station. Always be in a clean proper uniform. Always be ready to get on the rig and respond.

Check out the gear on the rig each morning. Make sure the 02 gage and the reserve bottle shows enough to handle a long ems call.

Firefighters usually have "Their" place to sit at the table and in front of the T.V.. Don't hog the newspaper. The off going shift has the first crack at the newspaper. You probably have probation tests. Don't park yourself in front of the T.V., you have a test coming up. Stay busy. Know matter what the atmosphere is, you're being watched. "Just because you're paranoid . . . doesn't mean there not after you."

Though you might be a good cook, don't volunteer to cook until asked or rotated in. Make sure your meals are on time. The old adage "Keep them waiting long enough and they will eat anything" doesn't apply here. Be the last one to serve your plate. Don't load up your plate the first time around. Wait to go for seconds.

Always have your hands in the sink doing the dishes after a meal. Be moving out with the garbage and mopping the kitchen floor after each meal.

Learn how to help the officer doing response reports.

Don't tell jokes until you're accepted.

Don't gossip.

Don't play "Your" music on the radio. Don't be a stupid generation X'er and always ask why when told to do something. Help others' with their assignments when you finish yours.

Ask how you're doing. Volunteer for assignments. Keep track of these to present at your evaluations.

Don't start pulling hose and other equipment at a scene until the captain tells you.

Always get off the rig before it backs up. Stand to the rear side to guide the rig. Never turn your back on the backing up rig.

It's not uncommon to move to one or more stations during your probation. At your new station, don't act like you already have time. Unfortunately, you have to start all over again as the new rookie.

You will have an elated feeling rolling out on your first calls. There is nothing like it. It could last your whole career. Enjoy and saver it. You earned it. You're the last of Americas Heroes.

I miss it.