ride alongs

[clintonradloff]

Hello,
do fire departments allow ride alongs. a question?
thanks
Clinton

[Steeda83]

last i knew fdny still did, unofficially..depending on the house

[firetruckred]

Yes they do, but it depends on the area. Visit the local Headquarters and ask to speak with a Capt or Chief. If you have any friends who are Firefighters here speak to them as well, if not first.

I just noticed your from down under so I changed the wording a little. I guess this question is pertaining to the USA? I went on a ride along in Columbia, SC. The BC on shift, along with the crew were great! I knew I wanted to be a FF, this pretty much sealed the deal.

[SIGNAL99COM]

I did a three day ride along in Charlotte a few years ago when I went down there to take their exam. I slept, ate, and rode out of Station 1 for three straight 24 hour tours. I was treated great, had a good time, and met a bunch of great guys. Charlotte has some good people on the job!

[FTMPTB15]

I slept, ate, and rode out of Station 1 for three straight 24 hour tours.

WaaHoo there, ya trying to kill yourself?! You should probably change that sentence to: I slept (for maybe 2hrs straight), ate (but never completed a meal), and rode out of Station 1 (ALL day and ALL night). Well, at least you didn't stay at the busiest house.

[E229Lt]

last i knew fdny still did, unofficially..depending on the house

Sorry, but not anymore.

[grains]

Our department does allow ride along (job shadow) opportunities. In fact when we meet people who express a genuine interest we'll encourage them to come down and spend the day with us.

When they are there, we try not to sugar coat the profession too much. Yes, riding code 3 going to the big fire can be exciting, but of course in reality it is the more mundane and non life threatening calls that are the norm.

Anyway, we always try to impress upon them that this is a great career.

[doughesson]

When I was going through EMT school here in Memphis,we had to do at least one day of ridealongs with MFD to get the IV sticks required.When I got to the house,the ambulance was gone on runs so they told me I could ride the truck if they got any EMS calls.
Having been on a volunteer department back in Kentucky,it was good to jump on a rig and ride again,even if I wasn't going to do anything wearing turnouts.

[allineedisu]

Most large departments have stopped all ride a longs. Too much of a chance that WE do not know you or your intentions, plus the legal department says no we can't cover you if you are hurt. Period!

[grains]

Most large departments have stopped all ride a longs. Too much of a chance that WE do not know you or your intentions, plus the legal department says no we can't cover you if you are hurt. Period!

Which if true, and I'm not saying that it is not, is a real shame. We owe it to our profession to inspire the next generation of firefighters. This is especially true for prospective employees from non-traditional or minority backgrounds.

[Guest]

Pine Bluff

We still do ride alongs. But only at the Central Station. You have to be a Firefighter or in the Fire Academy.

www.PineBluffFire.com

[trailboss2]

I have noticed a lot of fire depts that run EMS are having to stop ride alongs due to HIPPA too.

[grains]

I have noticed a lot of fire depts that run EMS are having to stop ride alongs due to HIPPA too.

Glad you brought this up. Our department has a HIPPA tape that instructs the rider that anything seen or heard must follow HIPPA guidelines (i.e. confidential).

[clintonradloff]

i could email someone at qfrs and see if they allow this but im sure the answer maybe "no" because of legal issues in case someone sues! you get my point here but ill try and get back to you

[clintonradloff]

okay i sendt an email to QFRS. www.fire.qld.gov.au and to the firefighter calender moderator to see if they can help point me in the right direction.