Can you want to learn too much?

[CDFDEngine7]

Ive been a member at my firedepartment for five months now and have learned more in those five months then in all the years of school........But i want to learn more i pretty much kno the trucks in and out not saying i kno it all but i go throught them every drill night.........im looking for any books on firefighter 1 2 firefighting in general, just any thing to read up on and learn more replies would be greatly appreciated.......thank you

[ntmd8r38]

Can you want to learn too much?

No, but you can try to learn too much, too fast, patience grasshoppa

[summermist21FD]

im looking for any books on firefighter 1 2 firefighting in general, just any thing to read up on and learn more replies would be greatly appreciated.......thank you

IFSTA Essentials of FF 4th or 5th Edition.
Don't remember the latest ones.
Or Subscribed to Firehouse Magazine if you haven't already.
They have alot of great articles on training, fire appartatus, etc.
Or looking up basic stuff on your internet server.


Good Luck, Stay Safe, and Happy Holidays!

[backsteprescue123]

There is NO WAY that you can learn too much. Like others have said, try and get your hands on an essentials book, talk to older members of your dept, read Fh mag, and read posts on here.

Good Luck.

[Catch22]

Nah, why do you think there are guys out there that are firefighters/paramedic/auto rescue tech/rope rescue tech/confined space rescue/cave rescue/haz-mat tech/investigator/inspector/instructor/etc...... Just don't learn it so fast you forget what you learned before (I know people like this, and more certs/training).

Tip: You're doing a dang good thing learning your truck and equipment (wish my explorers would do more of it), but learn about your truck and about the equipment. Can you tell me the nozzle settings on each nozzle and what they're pre-set at? What flows each straight stream tip flows? What different things you can do with the haligan? What all a TIC can do, and it's limitations? How much stroke is allowed on the air brakes before they need adjusted? (You'd probably be surprised how many drivers dont know)

You're on the right track, keep going. And remember, don't back off the school work, either. Remember that stuff is going to help out in the future (writing reports, pump calculations, etc). Just because "have learned more in those five months then in all the years of school," don't neglect school. I doubt you will, but just throwing it out there.

[CDFDEngine7]

Thanks everyone for posting

Dont worry im still keeping up my school work I keep a GPA over the 90s well the problems is at my firedepartment there is alot of tension with older and younger members the vote on chief just past and most people were upset because older members that dont do any thing at all are still issued a vote so i ask ask much as i can for books and packets and about the nozzles and about the amount that can be pumped in so much time.......most of the things ive learned are from two or three people they are probably the best members in the house so i guess ill just stick to them...........thanks all and stay safe happy holidays

[dragonfyre]

There's no such thing as learning too much too soon. There is a problem if you try to show up the older members with your knowledge vs their experience.

In 32 years in the fire service I've seen many juniors who go to a class and then try to teach the older members what they just learned. They sometimes forget that the senior members have already had the class.

Also, it's better to know (not kno) (also passed, not past) how to type in these forums. This isn't IM and you'll get people to take you more seriously with proper spelling and puncuation in your text.

[ChefMatt]

I Need help with fire tech term paper please....

Dear Folks,

My name is Matt and i am a fire tech student here in northern california.I recently recieved my Emt-b certification in August. In January 2007 I'll be attending the Roseville regional fire training academy here in beautiful Roseville California. I am currently taking Fire tech 100.
I am writing a six page thesis paper on the role of technology in the Ems and or fire industry. Can anyone suggest some information, websites or publications on specific aspects of how technology enhances these industries. Any other suggestions you folks might have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt Nobriga [email protected]

[bellcord]

Hello everybody. My name is Amber and I have been a junior firefighter for my town since september of '06. When I first joined it was just to see if I liked it and if being a firefighter was something I really want to do. Now that I've had a few months of training and have had the opportunity to participate in a burn house including manning the nozzle to put out the fire and going into the building with my own crew, I am in love with firefighting. I just want to learn more and more and I just can't learn fast enough. We only have training once maybe twice a month if we're lucky and for me that is not enough. I want to learn more. I know that experiance is one of the best forms of education and listening to the scanners etc. during calls can also help however I just want to learn more. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I could read or do to learn more about firefighting? Thank you kindly.

With all due respect,
Amber
(aka bellcord)

[LtTim556]

Hell son I've forgot more about firefighting than you'll ever learn. LOL Have heard that one a few times early on. I have been doing this job nearly 30 years and I still learn things. There is a quote from George Bernard Shaw I love and use often, "Satisfaction is Death..."
If you think you know it all, you don't. You will find people who know a lot and are good firefighters but the real good ones admit they don't know it all. They also like to pass that knowledge on to the younger ones because they know they won't be around forever. The only problem with some of the younglings is they want to know it all now. So take heed from some of the replies that say don't learn it too fast. Remember what Vince Lombardi once said, "Practice dosen't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect." He was a bit of a loon but one great coach.

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Hell son I've forgot more about firefighting than you'll ever learn. LOL

I've highlighted the key part of that statement.

[huntfire130]

I have to say that I am very happy to hear that young individuals are still joining the volunteer dept's. I, for one, joined a vol. dept at 12 years old, turned firefighter at 18, LT at 19, Capt at 21, and Asst Chief at 23. I quit the volunteer dept at 23 and became a paid (ALL are professional) firefighter, and am now a LT there.

Having given my background I believe I am in a position to help these young individuals on this subject.

First off go to any and all training activities offered, even at other dept's or state associations. This not only will give you more training oppurtunities but will also introduce you to the fire service leaders in your area and state that may or may not be a part of your dept.

Second always listen to war stories of the experienced members. The guys I work with will tell you that I love story time. Truth be known you can pick up on a lot of things by listening to what worked or did not work on certain incidents.

Third don't get a bad or know it all attitude. People will help you alot more if they like you, and bad attitudes dont help in that dept.

Fourth book learning is great, just remember. The authors of the books are giving their opinions or experiences, doesn't mean they will always work well for you or your dept.

If you have any questions and I might be of assistance my email is
[email protected]

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE NEW YEAR.