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I've been watching videos from The Bravest Online, mainly to pass the time at work, but I then noticed a very important similarity in most of the videos.
The majority are of the Houston FD, and the guys are definitely pros and see a lot of action. I started watching closer to see their tactics, but due to safe camera positioning, interior shots are rare. So I started watching the exterior work, and it jumped out at me.........
I never see the engine rolling on to the scene at excessive speeds, nobody jumps off the truck and starts running around like they do in the movies, and there is no John Wayne Superhero with a riding crop yelling orders and slinging spit while cussing at the world for being so dumb.......
The firefighters get off the engine in a rapid but safe manner, grab their hose or tools, and you can tell they know EXACTLY what their expectations and responsibilities are. They then WALK with the hose or tools to the scene, sometimes do a quick size-up between the hose team members, and then disappear into a swirling mass of fire and smoke. Out of the corners you see bunkered and unbunkered people helping to move hose lines, pull slack, move obstacles, etc.....without having to be told. It is instinctual and deep seated in the back of the brain as "this is what I have to do".
True professionalism.
I mention this because, as a volunteer on a small dept with infrequent calls, I tend to get excited and have to slow myself down at times. The knowledge of what to do and how to do it is there, but the experience and confidence is a long way off. The HFD definitely have that main difference.
I guess my point is this for any new people watching videos or looking at photos.....
Sometimes it is not the obvious you should be looking for, but the more subtle, and extremely important, things.
The majority are of the Houston FD, and the guys are definitely pros and see a lot of action. I started watching closer to see their tactics, but due to safe camera positioning, interior shots are rare. So I started watching the exterior work, and it jumped out at me.........
I never see the engine rolling on to the scene at excessive speeds, nobody jumps off the truck and starts running around like they do in the movies, and there is no John Wayne Superhero with a riding crop yelling orders and slinging spit while cussing at the world for being so dumb.......
The firefighters get off the engine in a rapid but safe manner, grab their hose or tools, and you can tell they know EXACTLY what their expectations and responsibilities are. They then WALK with the hose or tools to the scene, sometimes do a quick size-up between the hose team members, and then disappear into a swirling mass of fire and smoke. Out of the corners you see bunkered and unbunkered people helping to move hose lines, pull slack, move obstacles, etc.....without having to be told. It is instinctual and deep seated in the back of the brain as "this is what I have to do".
True professionalism.
I mention this because, as a volunteer on a small dept with infrequent calls, I tend to get excited and have to slow myself down at times. The knowledge of what to do and how to do it is there, but the experience and confidence is a long way off. The HFD definitely have that main difference.
I guess my point is this for any new people watching videos or looking at photos.....
Sometimes it is not the obvious you should be looking for, but the more subtle, and extremely important, things.
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