What Have you learned Since you've started?

[Engine58]

I was just wondering, what little sayings or quotes have older members told you that you've always remembered since you first started out. Just curious on what some are out there...I havent really had the chance to get told stuff yet but theres a few tips older firefighters have given me on the fireground so I'd know the "certain way" the company operates when they pull up to a fire..

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Andrew
South Amboy, New Jersey
Explorer Engine 6 So. Amboy Fire Dept & Cadet Morgan FAS
"EMTS DON'T DIE THEY JUST STABILIZE"
http://engine058.boltpages.com/southamboyfiredepartmentexplorerpost6/

[mongofire_99]

An oldtimer once told me that regardless of what you did, if somebody besides a brother saw you screw up, act like it was suppossed to be done that way.

[PlattsFire1]

No matter how bad the politics get, the doors go up and the trucks roll out.

Always keep one foot on the brake when going through an intersection.

A dead hero is a dead hero.

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Mike

[PlattsFire1]

No matter how bad the politics get, the doors go up and the trucks roll out.

Always keep one foot on the brake when going through an intersection.

A dead hero is a dead hero.

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Mike

[ALSfirefighter]

Hmmm...Lets see...

When it comes to safety, knowledge supersedes authority....

You go, we go?....nope....you go...you go!!

"We are not heroes, we are professionals" "Heroes, are ordinary people who do extraordinary things"

If someone is new to our truck company, and he says no...you can go up first....take the saw cause he either isn't coming..or aint gonna make it.

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The above is my opinion only, it doesn't reflect that of any dept./agency I work for, deal with, or am a member of.

[ONTFF]

always always always listen to the senior members, and never dismiss an idea because you don't like it

[CaptainCarp]

"CHAOS"

Chief
Has
Arrived
On
Scene
eek:

[FF.1205]

A well respected Lt. I used to work with mentioned to me this one day " When the going gets tough the tougher get going" and it has stuck with me ever since.

Here is an observation I would like to pass on to you "Hang with the FF's that can talk proudly of what they accomplish togather and watch your back of those that brag alot".

Fight like you Train and Train like you Fight.

[Exp.chief51]

"If you haven't screwed up a few times, you haven't done much."

[FFShooty]

Never get off the piece without a handlight and a tool.

FTM-PTB-EGH

[Jolly Roger]

You have two ears, and only one mouth. That means you should listen twice as much as you speak.

You might as well get there in one piece.

You don't do any good when you don't get there.

Do it right, the first time.

What you do in the first five minutes will determine what you will be doing for the next five hours.

NEVER, EVER disrespect the memories of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Use their sacrifice as a learning tool, but don't be disrespectful.

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Let us never, ever forget those of us that have gone before us in the line of duty. Because those brave souls have given all, it is up to us to always keep them alive in our hearts and our memories.

FTM-PTB-EGH
http://www.geocities.com/midamericafools

[Gooch26]

These are just some of the things that I can remember as being a junior. First, keep an open mind, you'll be surprised at what seemingly trivial things that can teach you a lesson. Second, be there for your fellow firefighters and they will be there for you. Third, know where the stuff is on the trucks! I've been surprised too many times to mention with people not knowing where equipment was, and some of them were our officers! Fourth, be willing to listen to and receive constructive criticism, there's almost always some lesson that can either be learned or reinforced from an incident critique. And my last little pearl is this, care for your equipment, your life and the lives of others may depend on it some day. Stay safe and God bless.
Randall Guntrum FF/EMT

If lights, sirens and air horns do not attract the attention of a driver, he or she is too drunk to be assisted by a paint scheme.

[FF_ONG]

Hmmm...some important sayings i have learned....

"risk a lot for a lot"
"risk a little for a little"
"risk nothing for nothing"

"if your face shield on your helmet is melting....leave...its too damn hot"

"safety...safety...safety..."

and the one that gets repeated alot lately since hollywood used it...
"attitude reflects leadership"

ff ong...
be safe out there...

[trumpeter75]

"Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut."

Some of the officers I work with often say "All I plan on doing today is make sure my crew goes home at the end of the shift."

[Michelle Latham]

PROBIE ADVICE
Chris was my deputy chief and my training officer and he put a LOT of time into training "his probies." He died LOD in March. Here are some of the things he told me that I still recall whenever I'm on duty:

"Girl, you always think you are the ONLY one that screws up - but everyone was a probie once and they screwed up too."

"When you respond to a call that doesn't mean you have to drive at the speed of sound. It's better to get there alive then dead. A dead firefighter is of no use to anyone."

"Always slow down at intersections and don't ever be afraid to stop and look for traffic."

"It's perfectly ok to drive slower in the winter time."

"Some firefighters are scared of things the first time around and other firefighters aren't. Everyone is different."

"As soon as those SCBA bells go off it's time to scram - even if it's your partner's SCBA bells and not yours."

"Communicate constantly."

"Don't badger the IC - use your chain of command. Learn all about ICS because that's what keeps the fireground from becoming a confusing mess."

"If you don't know, ASK. A good firefighter will never get mad if you ask them questions."

"Airhorns work for civilians as well as firefighters."

"Always leave the best spot for the ambulance."

"If you are in a firefighter class then make sure you pay attention and take notes. There's always time for socializing AFTER the class."

"Who cares what the others think. It's better to be a safety geek then an injured firefighter in the emergency room."

"Close your eyes and 'see' with your hands. If you try to look around in a fire you will miss a lot of things while you strain your eyes."

"Stay low! Don't EVER let me catch you standing up without good reason."

"If I ever catch you sliding down a ladder there will be two of us going to the hospital: You to get my boot out of your butt and me to get my boot back!"

"If you are driving by kids go slow - they love to run over to the pretty fire truck."

"If you are driving down one of these long straight roads and there isn't any traffic, drive in the center because it will lessen your chances of hitting a moose." (this is a HUGE problem in Alaska!)

"Just because you have the lights and sirens on doesn't mean people will see or hear you."

"Just because you aren't a probie anymore doesn't mean you can treat the new guys like crap. Respect is earned."

"If you honestly think you are going to panic, tell your partner. Once you panic you will be out of control and you will put the both of you at risk."

"Above all, be nice."

"A firefighter needs compassion. Don't ever let your compassion dry up."

"Firefighting isn't all about kicking down doors and putting out fires - it's about loving your fellow man and putting your life on the line for anyone."

"Quit?? Quit?? I don't ever want to hear that word, girl. Remove it from your vocabulary. Firefighters don't quit. They may have to back off for safety reasons but The Q Word doesn't exsist."

"You've gotta know fire behavior inside-and-out because that is the only way you'll know how to fight a fire. So get back to that IFSTA manual and study! I don't want to hear a peep out of you until you've read that chapter." (He was a slave driver! hahaha!)

"I know you can do it - you just have to figure out how."

"Go take a break and then come back. We'll try again - I KNOW you can do this."

"Firefighters NEVER stop learning."

"If you don't have a hose, STAY ON THE WALL!!"

"Don't ever let me catch you going in a fire with your PASS turned off."

"Don't ever let me catch you in a building without an SCBA unless I tell you it's ok not to wear one. It's better to look like a geek then to wind up in the hospital."

"Firefighting is in your blood. Don't ever let it fade away."

"Pray always. God will take care of you."