no longer a probie-traditions?

I'd like some imput about what your depts do once a FF has completed his probationary period. Is it just another day at the firehouse or is there some sort of congrats/ceremony?
We have just recently implemented a new probie policy that gives the probies and ORANGE lid instead of a yellow one. Once he has satisfied the minimun training and time requirements he will receive a yellow lid and will lose the probie title. To just hand over a yellow lid without more recognition seems a little lame, we're wondering what else we could do to make this "a big deal" for our new FFs. Any ideas? What does your dept do?

Thanks all

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Originally Posted by captk12

I'd like some imput about what your depts do once a FF has completed his probationary period. Is it just another day at the firehouse or is there some sort of congrats/ceremony?
We have just recently implemented a new probie policy that gives the probies and ORANGE lid instead of a yellow one. Once he has satisfied the minimun training and time requirements he will receive a yellow lid and will lose the probie title. To just hand over a yellow lid without more recognition seems a little lame, we're wondering what else we could do to make this "a big deal" for our new FFs. Any ideas? What does your dept do?

Thanks all

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They buy the meal. :D

A pat on the back, handshake, and a "congratulations" from the old timers was all I needed or wanted. There's alot more to see and learn after your probation is oficially done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by captk12

I'd like some imput about what your depts do once a FF has completed his probationary period. Is it just another day at the firehouse or is there some sort of congrats/ceremony?
We have just recently implemented a new probie policy that gives the probies and ORANGE lid instead of a yellow one. Once he has satisfied the minimun training and time requirements he will receive a yellow lid and will lose the probie title. To just hand over a yellow lid without more recognition seems a little lame, we're wondering what else we could do to make this "a big deal" for our new FFs. Any ideas? What does your dept do?

Thanks all

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is this a volunteer house or career?

Our probies get green stripes on their helmet. the only way they come off is if they finish probation or they get burnt off. as a union we give them a coin and as a house them make us dinner.

When I got off probation, 3 of us went in togethor and bought the entire shift dinner. granted we only have 7 stations and a minimum staffing of 17. If it was a larger dept we wouldn't have done that.

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Originally Posted by nyckftbl

is this a volunteer house or career?

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Volunteer/ paid on-on call, whatever you'd like to call it :o

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Originally Posted by captk12

Volunteer/ paid on-on call, whatever you'd like to call it :o

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If you have an annual dinner dance, or something like that, its a good time to recognize them...

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Originally Posted by fireslayer1237

Our probies get green stripes on their helmet. the only way they come off is if they finish probation or they get burnt off. as a union we give them a coin and as a house them make us dinner.

When I got off probation, 3 of us went in togethor and bought the entire shift dinner. granted we only have 7 stations and a minimum staffing of 17. If it was a larger dept we wouldn't have done that.

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7 stations and a min staffing of 17? How do you staff your appartatus?

Curiosity, not being a smart *****.

yeah uh well. 6 of the 7 our cross staffed between the engine and aid unit or medic if it's an ALS station with the driver/operator and a LT. the HQ has a 2 man engine and a Medic unit with 2 on it also. plus our battalion chief.

makes for some fun on fires. 4 bottles in a row gets exhausting though:eek:

Here after their first REAL fire, probies owe everybody ice cream.

We make them get cake and ice cream for every "first" imaginable.

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Originally Posted by MassFireGuy

We make them get cake and ice cream for every "first" imaginable.

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I'll second that. first call ever, first fire response (if it's a worker it's double icecream), first time driving, first time pumping on a fire, first time on CPR, anytime a curb is hit driving it's icecream. ect. ect.

It's tradition at DCFD for the probationer to have a semi-elaborate dinner for the house, battalion chief, family members, recruit instructors, etc. I did fresh cut NY strips, steamed shrimp, chicken...etc. It's not a time for the probationer to "cheap out". I spent over $500.00... (Make sure you have a loved one there as a backup to prep and cook in case you are out on runs the whole time... My wife ended up cooking my probation dinner because we only made it back to the house for about 15 min all day... My whole family was there and I never got to see them... my on duty crew ate alone after everyone else left.) No matter what you do, do something because it is the time for a probationer to show his/her coworkers that he/she appreciates the opportunity to be a part of the team...
Andrew
www.boxalarmleather.com

Ice Cream.

Steaks. Good cut steaks.

Ice Cream.

Grilled Asparagus.

Ice Cream.

Marinated Boneless Chicken Breasts, grilled.

Ice Cream.

Red Skin Potatoes, sliced n diced, sprinkled with garlic and butter.

Ice Cream.

Broiled Jumbo Shrimp.

Ice Cream.

Broiled Jumbo Scallops, sprinkled lightly with brown sugar.

Ice Cream.

They buy and prepare a nice meal for the station and they get their helmet shield.

All of our rookies make one hell of a nice dinner for 17 people (our shift). Our last rookie spent a s&*t load of money buying nice strip steaks and shrimp. We tell every rookie that comes in that they should do a dinner or something to show the gang that they appreciate all the things that we've taught them. They dont have to do steaks, as long as they cook it and provide for it, it passess the test. Hell one guy in a different Battalion cooked sloppy joes and tater tots for his probie dinner! But our present to them is usually a good soaking followed by a flour or pancake batter bath!

Not sure what Fairfax Co or Vienna in particular do for Probie-Grad, but back in Malahat, its usually a wet down - as in hose spray from the old guys, because its usually after a pump practice that the final "GO" is given. After that, he gets to buy the first round for the station. Since there is usually a membership of only 15 or so, well you do the math. ;) Although when I got my probie stickers off (ya, orange stripes) it was too cold for the spray down, but beer always flows.......................

I lost the title of probie and gained the title of rookie. Got some handshakes from the old timers and told to sit in the recliner, I was then promptly booted from the recliner as I had no seniority and took my place on the end of the couch where I can't see the TV.

:D

I got hit with a bucket...

Cook a great meal then sit down and hang on for it is a great ride, but do not blink for it will be over before you know it.
I did 33 years with L.A. County Fire and it was over before I knew it.