Superstitions?

[ENGINE18-3]

I don't know if this has been on here before, but do you guys have any superstitions?
Like for an example when I respond for a run I never say "goodbye" I always say "I'll see you later" or something like that. Another one I have is that when I get out of my gear I always put my hood under my lid and the face shield is always as high as it can go.
So if anyone else is as neurotic as I am let's hear 'em!

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The statements above are my own opinions

FF Greg Grudzinski
Oaklyn Fire Dept.
Station 18-3

[JR95]

After a run I always put my suspenders over my boots and rest my helmet a certain way on the shelf.

[NFDLT55]

Hey Engine-18-3 same thing here--
Never ever say goodbye always catch ya later, see ya 'round see ya in a few see ya later. Never goodbye.
Hood always goes to the inside pocket of my coat, each glove goes into a boot, visor never down except when required and the chin strap never ever ever dangles free, it is either around my chin or wrapped around the back of the helmet. Might sound odd, but I just got into the habbit of doing the above things.

[lumpy649]

I was always told never to wear someone else's helmet... it brings bad luck. Something that was passed on to me as a rookie... it just always stuck in my mind.

[newasstchief]

My first call ever was an MVA. We were cleaning up and washing down. I found a "lucky" dime on the side of the road. I stopped to pick it up just as a car drove right in front of me, way too close. Could have been a real short career. I drilled a hole in the dime and carry it on the key-ring with my station key.

I also have a picture of my wife and son in my lid.

[cyberbleve]

When I was working as a volunteer, the career crew would never let me cook spagetti when it was my turn to cook. Every time I did we got toned out in the middle of the meal.

[postal79]

going to a call i always put my gear on in the exact same order and way, then when i get to a call i redo all the velcro on my side pockets, when back at the station i alway put my suspenders on my boots helmet in same position visor up.....and i always tell my fiance "ill be right back" never ever goodbye
stay safe

[FiRsqDvr45]

I didn't think I did but I guess I have some habits, traditions, or superstitions.

1) Turnout gear is hung in locker the same way after every call. Forestry shirt is on hook with helmet and Gut Belt hanging over it, forestry web gear hangs in back of locker, change canteen water every shift. My work gloves have to be in the coat pockets, fire gloves in respective kangaroo pockets on pants, lineman's pliers, 4 way screwdriver, etc. in radio pocket with portable, yadda yadda.

2)Everytime the incoming emergency line rings I have to tap a kidney just in case.

3) I never tell someone they "will be just fine" no matter how minor an injury. Always have an alternative like, "we are going to take good care of you".

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FF/EMT Jay Ellingson
Newington,NH FD
&
New England Dragway Safety Team (Sundaaayy!)
*N.E.D. celebrates 35 years of excitement as a post-NHRA and current IHRA drag racing venue! Come on by and watch the great action at RT27 Epping, NH(Exit 8 off of Rt 101)*
New England Dragway is the home of the IHRA North American Nationals Sept 7-9 2001
1-877-DRAGWAY
1-603-679-8001

[tc1chief]

I always put my nomex hood on first and pull it down around my neck. I started this when I was a firefighter and now that I am chief and not allowed to go inside on fires I still do this for good luck. About a year ago we had returned to the station after a call and when I was putting my gear back into the locker I could not find may hood. The whole department stripped the station up and down and couple of men was getting ready to go back to the scene and look when someone found it behind the seat in the truck that I was in.

[FF_ONG]

superstitions...yes, now that i look at it, i guess i do some superstitous things i always have my turnout trousers and boots set a certain way...especially at night, with my suspenders right on my boots, i have my lucky "jarhead" d-ring that i still use on my belt today. i also have my gloves hang a certain way on my gear and i tuck my nomex inside my helmet with my face shield in the highest up position. i also have a superstition of completely cleaning my helmet, i have never fully cleaned it and always had a little bit of discoloration to it, something i think id feel unsafe without having.
anyways...
ff ong
stay safe everyone.

[Michelle Latham]

A few days after my best friend Chris died LOD (this March) I went to my Delta Junction fire station to prepair for his funeral. I took his helmet and I sat on our Attack rig and had myself a good cry. For some reason I turned his helmet over and saw something shiny sticking out. I reached in, pulled it out, and had the surprise of my life: Chris had taken a picture of me and him standing outside of a training fire and he had tucked it into his helmet. He always told me that he would think of me and pray for me while I was away at college! He was like a proud big brother when I left. I knew he loved me and I was SO touched when I saw that picture. I actually started to laugh though my tears as I held that picture in my hands!
There's something about firefighters that just bonds us all together like glue!
When I went back to Fairbanks (where I attend college and volunteer and another fire department too) I tucked the picture into my helmet. I won't go anywhere without that picture in my helmet - it makes me feel like Chris is right there with me even when I'm in the darkest places or on a freaky call. If things get rough-and-tumble the FIRST thing I look for when I get back to the station is that picture because I worry that it might have fallen out. I always make sure it's there! And if things get hard or stressfull I peek into my helmet and look at Chris's smiling face and I remember how much he believed in me - and I feel 100% better!
So far that picture has been with me during his funeral,on countless MVA's, training burns, tough training days, and every medical call we have since we always bring our bunkers with us in case we get a fire too.
I think I'll always have that picture tucked in my fire helmet no matter where I am a firefighter.

[This message has been edited by Michelle Latham (edited 05-13-2001).]

[fire1152]

I ALWAYS tell my daughter "Daddy Love Ya, I'll Be Back" It bothers me that I can't tell her when she's at school so I always ask god to tell her for me.

[RS225]

well a new tradition between myself and a couple of other young firefighters is to put helmets on and butt heads before leaving the station. i guess it sets the mood for the call.........................

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...fire fetish???......
...damn right!!!!

[Exp.chief51]

Yeah, I always do the helmet strap thing. It never hangs loose, always around the back brim. Also, my suspenders always go in between my boots. Really don't know why.

[xenophon13]

A big one in my dept is that you NEVER clean your helmet, with the exception of the visor.

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When the defecation hits the oscillation I'll be there.