New guy here

[kswartz79]

Hey everyone,

I am as green as they come... I've only ever been in a firehouse a handful of times, let alone volunteer. So needless to say I'm looking for some advice.
I just contacted a local firehouse about volunteering (they're paid and volunteer) through email. Was this a good idea? I noticed someone saying that just dropping in isn't always a good idea, seeing as how there might not be anyone there due to the house being on a call or in the middle of training.

I'm from PA (I live in York, about an hour north of Philly) and I was wondering,what kind of physical requirements are there for volunteer firefighters in PA?

[joelshakmn]

I would suggest contacting the fire chief via telephone. You are more apt to get a quicker response. Our department has e-mail but doesnt utilize it very much. If you can walk/run/swim you'll be fine. When you are in full turnout gear with SCBA and you are soaking wet it will add 100 lbs of weight. If you are in good shape, I wouldn't worry about it.

[thomas15]

The state of PA doesn't impose any requirements re: physical. The individual fire co may impose some physical requirements but probably not. As long as you are in fairly good shape and have not been convicted of crime, you should be ok.

Does the fire co you have in mind have a web site? They may have info on joining there. I can relate to the feeling you have regarding approaching the company for membership. You could also stop in on drill night and ask for an application. Most volunteer FCs need help. I personally always wanted to be a FF but couldn't for time reasons. We moved to PA last year and I didn't know a sole in my new town. I joined to meet people and this has worked out well for me.

I'm 3 weeks from my 1 year anaversery with the fire service. Like you, I was green as grass. I will be finishing PA structural burn session tomarrow and will take the PA FF1 skills exam in November.

My advice to you is take your time. You have a lot to learn. Even with company training every week and over 170 hours of state school training I'm admitting that I have lots to learn and consider myself a rookie for sure. You will probably enjoy it much more if you try to learn the basics first. If someone trys to teach you something you already know, keep quiet and pay attention anyway, they will at some point hit on something you don't know.

I know guys with less time and training then me who are all hot about being a driver or pump operator. Forget it. I have found that is is better to wait to be told to drive this rig rather than ask to drive it. Even if you are a professional truck driver, resist the urge to ask to be a driver. Running the pumps requires skill and training and the pump operator is stuck at the pump panel, away from the fire.

You will find that vollies have strong personalities but big hearts. My guess is that you will enjoy being a fire fighter. There are many things to do and it will take months before you get enough exposure to all of the activities before you can make an intelligent decision on what you would like to specialize in.

Good luck,

Tom

[CAPPYY]

My advice when you do join:

First try to fit in at your new dept. Dont be looking to change things.
Next, tell everyone that you dont know squat and if they dont mind, you'll be askin a lot of questions. One of the most important things you can do to help yourself is to help others...if a guy is pickin something up, help him pick it up, if something gets spilled, wipe it up. If you dont know what it is, ask somebody then wipe it up. Some guy movin a table, grab the other end. Always be lookin to help out and stay busy. Listen to the stories they tell and keep your mouth shut unless you are asking a question and trying to learn. Over time the guys will start to respect your hard work and when you start to notice that they are bustin your chops and teasing you, you are becoming a member.
There are a thousand things to do on the fireground without being a firefighter. Work hard, be safe, and time, experience, and training will lead you to the promised land.

[doughesson]

What they said.
You will find being a volunteer firefighter to be very rewarding.You learn by doing and going to schools and you hope to retain it when you actually need to use the skills.
One good thing is that you'll learn things that the news can't or won't show about an incident.
One bad thing is that you'll learn things that the news can't or won't show about an incident.
If there's ever any problem with learning a task or where something is kept on the rig,do not hesitate to ask.Even if the only one around is the person that was in front of you when you signed up,you can both use the chance to look around and find out yourselves.
I spend a lot of time at my volunteer station and I don't waste all of it watching the idiot box.I also keep where everything is fresh in my mind by opening the doors on the rigs and going over what I find.
You might start off like I did,wondering if you'll ever remember the things that you are shown and the people you are introduced to.
Soon enough,the knowledge will start to jell and you'll wonder what you did before you met some of your new friends.
One other thing.Don't be a knowledge hog.When you go to school to learn a new skill,ask other members what they learned in that school,both before and after you go, and share what you learn over your time in station as well.
The only way the service will retain needed skills is for the ones that work to be passed down.

[kswartz79]

Whaddya know, I drove down to the firehouse and there was a big sign out front with the phone number and the heading said in big bold letters, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! I really gotta get outta my house more often...

I stopped in and filled out an application, also took a tour and checked out the apparatus... the guy I was with even let me put on an air tank and a mask, and I couldnt get the air to pump into the mask, so that was a comical/fun experience.

I sent my mom an email telling her about volunteering and she replied with one that described all the things she thought I could do as a firefighter... none of them involved actually going on a call. I got a kick out of that :)

I got a really positive response after I handed in my application, and the EMT told me theyd be in touch with me. That raises another question though, how long does it take for you to be added on as a member and start training?

Thanks for the advice, everybody. I'll take it to heart and Im already doing what I can to learn.

[Proby1711]

I was wondering that myself... "How long does it take to be taken on?" but I guess it is different with each firehouse...

I am looking to volunteer up here in Scotland, so I will be following your progress, K. :)

Anita xxx

[CAPPYY]

Try to be patient. In some departments your application will come up at their next meeting which, depending on when they hold those meetings, could be nearly a month away. Then if anyone has a question about who you are, it could be tabled untill the next meeting. I think it really helps if you can get to know someone at the station that you can check with from time to time on the progress of your application. If you just sit back and wait, it could be forgotten. Good luck and keep in mind that you are not a fireman until you pass essentials class and attend that first burn session. Untill then you are a volunteer.

Oh yea proby1711, you hit a nerve when you mentioned Scotland. My Clan is from there and I'm damn proud of it! "If its no Scottish, its crap!

[Proby1711]

Hey Cappy... where are your lot from?

I am from Inverness myself... maried with a wee boy, aged 4. :)

Good to meet ya. :D

[kswartz79]

Thanks cappyy, theyre having an open house thing next sunday, sounds like the perfect oppurtunity to make a good impression.

Good luck Anita, Ill keep an eye on you, too :)

[CAPPYY]

Ah probie as I sit here listenin to me favorite tunes on the pipes and drums all I can tell ye is they are from the Highlands. Do not want the world to know me last name ya see. Good luck and God bless the wife and the wee one.

[Proby1711]

Cappy... I AM THE WIFE!!! :D

But I'll let you off... ;) :D

[thomas15]

That raises another question though, how long does it take for you to be added on as a member and start training?

All I can tell you is my experience. My FC has a rule that new members fill out an application and at the next company meeting (meetings held once per month) the name is read at the meeting. Comments are made weather or not anyone knows the canidate and the experience of the person is discussed. In my case no one in town knew me so no one could say anything negative about me.

Assuming all is well, the membership commitee chairman runs a background check and at the next monthly meeting the name is brought up again, the membership chair recomends a vote be taken, then you are in.

So for me, I waited 6 or 7 weeks and it would have been longer because the secretary was on the sick list and didn't contact me. I went down to the FC on drill night to find out what was going on and was told I'm in.

OK, now you are in. On my very first night I was given a a set of used bunker gear (pants w/red suspenders), bunker jacket, structure and work gloves, nomex hood, eye protection, "probie" helmet, temp accountability tags, flashlight, boots. The following week I operated a hand line for the first time.

Four weeks into this adventure, I was given a pager and told I could start going on calls. It was probably 3 or 4 weeks before I actually made it on a truck to an actual accident scene which was a med vac assist for a gun shot victum. Since that first time, the calls have come fast and with regularity.

As one of the previous posters mentioned, you will see things that are not reported in the media. Even in a small town you will be amazed at the things that happen. You will not soon forget your first fatal MVA. Most really serious MVA involve drugs, alcohol and or someone not wearing a seat belt.

Structure fires are another thing. Your first few fires you will not be doing much. You need to know simple things forward and backwards. You will be so excited that you will forget everything you know. Consider yourself ground support and gofer. To avoid being perminatly marked as gofer, attend as many outside classes as you can. Bucks county community college puts on many off site classes at local fire stations throught the state, check their web site often. I believe York County has a fire training facility.

Take PA Essentials in fire fighting as soon as possible. After Jan. 1, this class is going to be 166 hours, take it anyway even though it will take you approx 6 months to complete. It is prerequsite for all of the good classes. If you want to see flames, take essentials class. I cannot stress this enough.


Good luck, enjoy yourself and be safe.

Tom

[CAPPYY]

Oh my gosh...That gives you an idea of how old school I am, makin assumptions that you are the husband. Gave me a good laugh though! Thanks for lettin me off.

[Proby1711]

Oh my gosh...That gives you an idea of how old school I am, makin assumptions that you are the husband. Gave me a good laugh though! Thanks for lettin me off.
No worries Cappy... it feels good to make some cool friends that can take a laugh. :)

[doughesson]

My department isn't like that.We never take on a new member and then put them on a hose team and tell them"Good luck with it.".Not even the Chief's son should get that treatment.My Dad laid wires for the phone company for 32 years.That doesn't mean that I can ramrod an installation job,either.
Our policy is complete the 20 hour in house training first(basic basic training),then you get the turnout gear,pager and an assigned number for your blue probie lid.And you are expected,like I said,to get outside training as well as making at least half of the training meetings held twice a month.
For the first few calls,I spent more time convincing the IC that I really was on the department than I did goferring.
It might take time to be accepted and pay your dues as a member.You'll find that it's worth the effort,even if you decide that this isn't really your thing.

All I can tell you is my experience.
OK, now you are in. On my very first night I was given a a set of used bunker gear (pants w/red suspenders), bunker jacket, structure and work gloves, nomex hood, eye protection, "probie" helmet, temp accountability tags, flashlight, boots. The following week I operated a hand line for the first time.

Four weeks into this adventure, I was given a pager and told I could start going on calls. It was probably 3 or 4 weeks before I actually made it on a truck to an actual accident scene which was a med vac assist for a gun shot victum. Since that first time, the calls have come fast and with regularity.
Good luck, enjoy yourself and be safe.

Tom

[kswartz79]

ok, so different firehouses start you off differently training-wise, I think I get that, but...

this fire company seems to be hurting for donations and volunteers. does that help my case at all? will they hurry me through training or anything like that? Im not trying to rush things by any means, because I understand that I could offend/injure/kill someone by rushing, but I was just curious. the guy almost acted like I was a shoe-in when I went down to fill out my application.

another question I have is - how do the calls work? if you're at work (you're a volly and you're at your paying job) and you get paged, do you go? what if you're sick to the point you cant get out of bed or drunk? Ive already heard some arguments on these forums over that, about firefighters who have 4-5 beers and show up to calls smelling like booze and half-blitzed. I would figure if you're not at 100% you owe it to your fellow firefighters and the accident victims to just stay out of the way. correct me if I'm wrong, please.

thanks for your patience, I hope Im not coming off as *too* stupid. Im soaking up as much knowledge from all you experienced guys and gals as I can. I also wanna add that the more I talk to all of you the more excited I get about starting this adventure! :)

[CAPPYY]

When you become a Volley Firefighter, you go to your employer and inform them of that fact. They should give you a booklet on the rules concerning work and your firefighting. The law, and I'm not sure if its Pa State or Federal, says that work can not punish you for being late or missing work as long as they recieve a letter from the Chief, President, or Secretary of your fire dept. They do not have to let you leave work though. But they can let you go. You have to ask permission.

Drinking- In my opinion, you can go on a call if you are within legal percentages for operating a motor vehicle, .08 in Pa. I think. Dont get to close to the Captain or Chief if you smell like booze because you might get a boot stuck in your a--.

Sick- If you cant get out of bed, you cant get out of bed!

[thomas15]

My department isn't like that.We never take on a new member and then put them on a hose team and tell them"Good luck with it....".

doughesson, Maybe I'm reading too much into what you are trying to say, but it seems like you are throwing some negative feedback my way. First of all, I have been to three structure fires (since joining a year ago) where I actually operated a hoseline. Only one of those (the most recient) could be classified as bigger than a small fire. By the time I went to my first of the three SF, I had well over the 20 hours of in-house training your guys get. So if you are trying to compare your company SOG with my company SOG relative to minimum amounts of training before you can get in to a dangerous situation on the fire grounds, I think you will find that we are on the same page. Keep in mind however, I live in a rural area, very few fires.


Our policy is complete the 20 hour in house training first(basic basic training),then you get the turnout gear,pager and an assigned number for your blue probie lid.And you are expected,like I said,to get outside training as well as making at least half of the training meetings held twice a month..

Some very good fire company's issue TOG right at the start. The thinking is that how or why can you train in street clothes and this topic has been hashed about somewhat on this forum before. OK, maybe in a large fire company or if the timing is just right, it would be possible for a recrute to receive class room training at the start and not need bunkers. This would not work very well in a company that gets 2 or 3 new members per year. We don't have the man power for that kind of instruction. However, my son, just by luck or fate, joined right when there was a 8 hour intro to safety class and 4 hour haz mat class held in sucession by the state, so he received 12 hours classroom before getting his TOG. And for your information, I was given a yellow "probie" helmet and I was never handed a hose and told "good luck" ever.

doughesson, from the tone of you response, I detect that you feel that I wasn't trained enough before being cut loose. I can assure you that this isn't the case. I think I have mentioned that in the past year I have well over 100 hours of in-house training and 172 hours of state fire school training. Thats a lot of training! One of the reasons why I have pushed soo hard and taken so much outside training is so I could be qualified to grab a hoseline at a fire, because without the training I would be sitting on the sidelines and become a gofer which I don't want to do.


Accept my apology if I'm reading too much into your comments, I just wanted to set the record stright.

[thomas15]

this fire company seems to be hurting for donations and volunteers. does that help my case at all? will they hurry me through training or anything like that? Im not trying to rush things by any means, because I understand that I could offend/injure/kill someone by rushing, but I was just curious. the guy almost acted like I was a shoe-in when I went down to fill out my application.

If you join a company that has 100 active members and 50 of them show up for the average call, then it will be longer before you get a chance to perform major tasks at an incident. If you belong to a company that has 30 members and 10 of them show up, expect to get hands on much sooner. I would not expect that the officers would let you do anything that you are not ready to perform while on a call.

another question I have is - how do the calls work? if you're at work (you're a volly and you're at your paying job) and you get paged, do you go? what if you're sick to the point you cant get out of bed or drunk? Ive already heard some arguments on these forums over that, about firefighters who have 4-5 beers and show up to calls smelling like booze and half-blitzed. I would figure if you're not at 100% you owe it to your fellow firefighters and the accident victims to just stay out of the way. correct me if I'm wrong, please.

In PA, you cannot be discliplined if you are late for work because you are on a call. However, I believe that the call has to be before you are scheduled for work. Personally, I do not respond to calls after 6:00AM Mon-Fri unless it is a big one or no one else is responding. Then I call my supervisor and tell him I'm going to be late. This has only happened once in the last year. Your employer does not have any obligation to excuse you once work starts and you get a call, but some will allow volunteers to leave with some or no restrictions. Ask your employer.

My work is 25 miles from home so unless it is a major fire, It will be cleared up before I get to the scene. I keep my pager with me at work but usually I listen to it for info only.

Do not respond to calls if you have been drinking. If you are sick, you will have to make a decision but use common sense.

thanks for your patience, I hope Im not coming off as *too* stupid. Im soaking up as much knowledge from all you experienced guys and gals as I can. I also wanna add that the more I talk to all of you the more excited I get about starting this adventure! :)

Ask away my friend.