Nashville Fire Recruit

[tigersfan86]

Do Fire Recruits get stuck on a box when hired?

[CaptOldTimer]

Do Fire Recruits get stuck on a box when hired?

If not they sure as heck should!

Why don't you contact the FD and ask that question of them?????

[tigersfan86]

Im going to call, just was wondering if anyone on here had any idea how rookies got their assignments

[senatobiafire]

Does anyone have any inside info on what the dept. is like? I'm thinking of applying. Is this a good dept. to work for, what are the shifts like, etc. Any help is appreciated.

[zzyyzx]

I wouldn't look at it as "getting stuck" on a box. At least in my area, ambulances are dispatched to anything larger than a dumpster or contained kitchen fire. But what usually happens, since the ambulance is only two people and is out the bays before the engine (and are faster), they are on scene, geared up, waiting for the engine to stop and they pull a line. More times than not, the ambulance guys are on the first interior attack line. If the incident actually requires a rehab unit, the IC will call for a second ambulance. Plus, our ambulance districts are bigger than our engine districts (roughly 1 ambulance for every two engine districts), so you get called out for more calls.

Yeah, you get your frequent flyers and bogus medical calls at 2 in the morning, but you also get some "good" ones (cardiac arrests, MVAs, etc.). And frankly, I'd rather get a few runs during my shift and keep busy than sit around waiting for the tones that never drop. Especially as a probie, there's only so many hours you can clean the firehouse and study the engine compartments. Too much idle time gives you more opportunities to draw attention to your actions, which usually doesn't end in the best situation (even if it is just getting your balls busted, still better to not be in the other guys' sight picture). It's great training, you learn your district and you get to get out of the firehouse often.

[tigersfan86]

I was totally unaware that guys on the box still get to see fire..I sent you an email. I would really like to talk to you more about Nashville.

[zzyyzx]

I guess I should have been more clear. I'm not in Nashville, but another midwest metropolitan area. I don't know how their dept operates, but all the FDs in my area that run their own ambulance service, which are most of them, can (and usually do) also fight fire. Yes, most of the guys get off the ambulance the first chance they get once they have the seniority, but there's also a couple senior medics that bid the ambulance that covers the districts with the most fires. They get the good fire runs and good medical runs. Kind of the best of both worlds.

[tigersfan86]

From what I have been told...Nashville EMS and Fire are seperate...you're either on the box or on an engine...guys on the box dont fight fire.

[zzyyzx]

Interesting... I went to their webpage. Looks like it's kind of structured like FDNY, as separate organizations. Their website is kind of vague, but it looks like their Suppression personnel are basically BLS only (first responder?) and their ALS/Paramedics are run through another bureau.

Are they hired as NFD EMS and stay that way unless they apply into the suppression side like FDNY EMS does or do they eventually get the ability to move over after so much seniority (i.e. bidding)?

In my area, when we complete the academy everyone is a fully qualified FF and EMT-B. And they do both jobs immediately out of the academy. Newer guys, like I mentioned above, are usually assigned to ambulances, but they're usually the first ones to float to another station due to scheduling. In the same week, you could be on an ambulance one day, rescue truck the next and a ladder or engine the following. Eventually, as your seniority builds, you don't float nearly as much, so then you'll stay on your assigned apparatus most of the time.

[tigersfan86]

From what I can gather, The academy is 22 weeks long, 11 for fire fighter and 11 being for EMT. People already EMT's or Medics, their academy is only 11 weeks. What I am trying to find out is if once out of the academy if you could get assigned to an ambulance. I am pretty sure if you are hired as a fire recruit, you won't be on a box but like I said, I am still trying to figure that out. They run a few ALS engines too. But I would bet that is a seniority spot. But EMS and Fire are separate, you don't go back and forth day to day.

[docflip4884]

If not they sure as heck should!

Why don't you contact the FD and ask that question of them?????

That is a **** poor attitude.

Just because someone is new doesnt mean they should be stuck on a box. They should rotate to every assignement (pipe, ladder, box) within their rank. Its reasons like that why you have 5 year guys who don't know the first thing about fighting fire. Typical old school guys talking sh*t who never had boxes back in the day, and are obviously the reason "the box" has the stigma it does. A good fire department will rotate you to all the spots in the house, that way your a well rounded firefighter. Good luck, whatever they do up there.

[CaptOldTimer]

That is a **** poor attitude.

Just because someone is new doesnt mean they should be stuck on a box. They should rotate to every assignement (pipe, ladder, box) within their rank. Its reasons like that why you have 5 year guys who don't know the first thing about fighting fire. Typical old school guys talking sh*t who never had boxes back in the day, and are obviously the reason "the box" has the stigma it does. A good fire department will rotate you to all the spots in the house, that way your a well rounded firefighter. Good luck, whatever they do up there.

Watch what you say skippy.

And don't let my screen name fool you. I have rode the box and everything else that one can ride in the fire service.

If I wanted to know about any fire department, which includes yours, I know how to look up information and also call make a call to that department PIO or Chief or to someone which I know would know the information I was looking for.

[EgressOne]

Capt-
Not sure if you realized but this is a firefighting forum. One can assume that there will be discussion on it, especially considering that the original question was posted in the "Hiring and Employment Discussion." I think it's pretty clear that he was asking a legit question.

Granted if it comes down to it making the call oneself usually gets the answer, but that's why I thought the forum was so popular. So people can ask questions of other peers who possible DO know the answer.

[docflip4884]

Watch what you say skippy.

And don't let my screen name fool you. I have rode the box and everything else that one can ride in the fire service.

If I wanted to know about any fire department, which includes yours, I know how to look up information and also call make a call to that department PIO or Chief or to someone which I know would know the information I was looking for.

First off, Dont threaten me. I speak for myself and my views are my own. As the other guy pointed out this is a forum, if you can't handle other peoples input, then thats too bad. And the bit about calling my Chief, gimme a break. Ill save you a step and give you all the info you need, just PM me. I promise you they could give a damn about your hurt feelings.

Second, I never challenged what you did in the fire service, much less do I care. I'm sure you've seen your fair share and I respect that, however, the idea that all new hires should ride the box is a terrible one at best.

[thanojon]

First off, Dont threaten me. I speak for myself and my views are my own. As the other guy pointed out this is a forum, if you can't handle other peoples input, then thats too bad. And the bit about calling my Chief, gimme a break. Ill save you a step and give you all the info you need, just PM me. I promise you they could give a damn about your hurt feelings.

Second, I never challenged what you did in the fire service, much less do I care. I'm sure you've seen your fair share and I respect that, however, the idea that all new hires should ride the box is a terrible one at best.

Well said Docflip