Clicks in the Firehouse

[trizahler]

I have been on two years, worked hard, kept the mouth shut, and been welcomed by all in my department.


Problem: There are three main groups and they dislike each other.


Clicks if you will... I thought I would not find this in the fire service, where teamwork is key.


Anyone else experience this? I am so totally confused, I'm sure I'm just not seeing something here, being that I have only been on for two years.

I am sure there is a comprehensible and legitimate reason for this situation.

If anyone could please explain or share experiences.

I'm specifically speaking of a twenty-five-person station that is paid-on-call.

Thanks In Advance.

[WBenner]

Clicks are every where. Our Department has 3 groups as well.
1) **** and Vinegar - The Guys who love the job are good at their job and hated for it. Always striving to be better at their job.

2) Good Ol Boys - The guys who have been in 20 yrs or more hate the new Fire Service and methods. But guys you can go to because of their experience. Do a lot of bitchin but hard workers.

3) Calender Boys - The guys and gals who thought firefighting was wearing a T Shirt an getting the title Hero when in fact they are best left at the hall because the useless on a scene. These guys consist of the boys who kiss more *** and Suck up to the Good Ol Boys.

No matter what click your in on a Job the attidudes are left at the hall if not youll know about it very quickly.

Just do your thing..Dont kiss no *** and DO YOUR JOB. If a click dont like yah. Who cares..

[RspctFrmCalgary]

I believe the word you are looking for is "clique", not "click".

Clique ...

clique
One entry found for clique.


Main Entry: clique
Pronunciation: 'klEk, 'klik
Function: noun
Etymology: French
: a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons; especially : one held together by common interests, views, or purposes
- cliqu·ey /'klE-kE, 'kli-/ adjective
- cliqu·ish /'kli-kish/ adjective
- cliqu·ish·ly adverb
- cliqu·ish·ness noun

Click ...

Main Entry: 1click
Pronunciation: 'klik
Function: verb
Etymology: probably imitative
transitive verb
1 : to strike, move, or produce with a click <clicked his heels together>
2 : to select especially in a computer interface by pressing a button on a control device (as a mouse)
intransitive verb
1 : to make a click
2 a : to fit or agree exactly b : to fit together : hit it off <they did not click as friends> c : to function smoothly d : SUCCEED <a movie that clicks>
3 : to select something by clicking -- often used with on <click on the icon>
- click·able /'kli-k&-b&l/ adjective

[STONEREMS]

I believe the word you are looking for is "clique", not "click".

Clique ...



Click ...

Well, there you have it!


We have these groups as well:

1) **** and Vinegar - The Guys who love the job are good at their job and hated for it. Always striving to be better at their job.

2) Good Ol Boys - The guys who have been in 20 yrs or more hate the new Fire Service and methods. But guys you can go to because of their experience. Do a lot of bitchin but hard workers.

3) Calender Boys - The guys and gals who thought firefighting was wearing a T Shirt an getting the title Hero when in fact they are best left at the hall because the useless on a scene. These guys consist of the boys who kiss more *** and Suck up to the Good Ol Boys.

[FlyingKiwi]

Something tells me you will find these categories wherever you work in whatever job.

Now what was it that told me that.

Oh, yeah, experience.

Move to your own drum, make it loud enough to get ahead, but not so loud it draws enemy fire.

[lifestar]

HI

I am n firefighter and paramedic in south africa and believe me "cklicks" play in any service around the world.Being in the service for two years you have to know your house by now, and adapted to your situation ALWAYS remeber the reason why you became a fire fighter "we chose to be there" Ive seen to many good fire fighters leave the service because of clicks.Talk to them and just be your self. The next time they go in to a fire or intubating a pt you must be the one to be counted on

cheers

[beachffgirl]

Same here

Clicks are every where. Our Department has 3 groups as well.
1) **** and Vinegar - The Guys who love the job are good at their job and hated for it. Always striving to be better at their job.

2) Good Ol Boys - The guys who have been in 20 yrs or more hate the new Fire Service and methods. But guys you can go to because of their experience. Do a lot of bitchin but hard workers.

3) Calender Boys - The guys and gals who thought firefighting was wearing a T Shirt an getting the title Hero when in fact they are best left at the hall because the useless on a scene. These guys consist of the boys who kiss more *** and Suck up to the Good Ol Boys.

No matter what click your in on a Job the attidudes are left at the hall if not youll know about it very quickly.

Just do your thing..Dont kiss no *** and DO YOUR JOB. If a click dont like yah. Who cares..

We have the same situation in our department. I dont consider myself a part of any of them, and because of that receive little respect. Do what you are there to do, and do it well. Learn every opportunity you have and show up all 3 groups.....

[WaterbryVTfire]

Correct me if I'm wrong...

but aren't there cliques in every (un)organized group(s)? Best, thing to do is not align yourself with any sepcific one.

[KEEPBACK200FEET]

There are cliques everywhere. While I have them at my station, I choose not to get involved in any clique. While they are playing around and gossiping, I'm trying to learn and become a better firefighter. You'd be suprised how much better you'll be on a fireground.

[XRaysJL]

Cliques / Clicks

trizahler26:

As you have read these, you should understand that "Cliques" will be just about everywhere you go. I work in radiology (X-Rays), I'm a volunteer firefighter. In all the hospitals, prison (Worked as x-ray), imaging centers, and even at my own volunteer department they all have "Cliques" in common. I've even noticed it at other fire departments that I train with (For better mutual aid relationship, and to help keep my own skills up).

I'm guessing it comes from peoples natural tendency to be with people who are just like themselves whether it be jocks, geeks, nerds, ect. But the principle is the same. This is how "Cliques" form and expand just about everywhere you go. It's human tendency.

You are right to do the best you can to avoid them. In my humble opinion (We all know what they are like and that everyone has one): Stay friendly everyone regardless of the "Cliques" and learn from the experience they are willing to offer but don't let them draw you into them and make you start taking sides. I say this because to completely avoid them may give them the attitude of you don't like them.

[RESERVEFORNOW]

We too have these "groups" in my department. I don't want to call them cliques as that word has a negative connotation to it and that is not how I view the groups in our department.

There are groups which generally associate with each other in and out of work. These guys have a lot of common interests and seem to share and enjoy many of the same values and passions for things. In and out of work I see similarities within the different groups and I see the people with whom I feel I more closely aligned. I don't believe it is a bad thing to realize these differences. Now it could be that our situation is nowhere near as bad as some of you and that may be why it doesn't seem a big deal to me. I could also be being naive about this, as I am very new to the fire service.

In every other aspect of our lives we surround ourselves with people of like values and like interests. As long as it doesn't get in the way of our professional duties I don't see that in our profession things should be any different.

[BRiceTFFD]

Cliques

I have been on for just over a year now. There is always going to be groups of firefighters who have more in common and seem to get along better. The great thing I have witnessed, is that no matter the clique we all come together on the fire scene.
This is where it counts. So my advice is to be yourself and do your job, learn from others. It will all come together when it counts.

[trizahler]

Thanks All!

I understand now, thanks for the replies. I guess I just though that while at the firehouse we could transcend our personal lives, interests, goals, ambitions, and attitudes

to

talk, act, train, and work as a team wether we are in the firehouse or out on a call.

I just figured firefighters were a complete team and you leave all those other things I mentioned above at the door of the firehouse and pick them back up when you leave.

Well, I will heed all the good advice I have read here and continue to keep my mouth shut, work/study hard, and be sure never to align myself with anyone one "clique"

[tbonetrexler]

"clique" has such a negative conotation. I am a member of a so called "clique".

We dont think of ourselves as one, but we are called one. We are all freinds who hang out at the firehouse together and run calls together and enjoy what we do.

We are called a "cligue" by some of the older members, but we really arent. Anybody can hang out with us, we talk to everybody, and get along with everybody.

This is just to inform that not all "cliques" are negative. If you have a group of freinds who you like to hang out with, just do it, dont worry about what others call you.

[mcaldwell]

If the clique(s) is starting to create tension in the hall, then it is up to the leadership to fix it.

We have them; by age, previous relationships, and experience to a lesser extent (i.e. probies/rookies vs senior men). I have seen no tension or inefficiency caused by them. It is just part of the natural social environment. I can't sit and talk for an hour with a 19 yr old anymore about how they got wasted on the weekend, but I can talk with the older guys about a home reno project or family matters.

When the tones drop, it all goes away and they get the job done. I would expect nothing less.