whats it like?

[MANOFSTEEL]

I always wondered what it was really like living a firehouse. I know what I see on tv and that's it. I also know that its probably way different in real life. Share your good, bad, and ugly stories with the rest of us. I'd love to know what I'm getting myself into

[JohnVBFD]

Great place to be. Especially on the nights when beans, green beans, brats and chili are served. Those are the nights that bonds are formed forever.

[popknot]

I hope you were raised w/ lots of brothers and sisters.

You have to be able to get along.

The firehouse can be a wonderful place if you're happy. It can be a miserable place if you're unhappy.

Work on being a team member and resolving conflicts early.

Have a sense of humor and realize, people are different.

Your family at home is just as strange and weird to others as your new family in the firehouse will be to you, act accordingly.

1.) don't ask if they need help, just start helping. Take initiative.
2.) be careful w/ gossip or opinions. you never know who's had who.
3.) be careful w/ gossip or opinions. (get the picture)
4.) Learn the rules, follow 'em. Don't worry about others.
5.) Seek advice from those that truly know what they're doing.
6.) Emulate those w/ admirable skills.
7.) Ask questions, Understand, Perform, Ask for feedback.

[snowball]

If it weren't for the spooning, I wouldn't even go.

[PaladinKnight]

There is nothing that compares to seeing the crew at their best at 0530 each morning rushing for the bathroom.

It is much like living at summer camp, except you get to go home every day or two for a brief visit.

If it wasn't so popular, no one would do it.

Maybe there is something to that brother's keeper thing after-all. I know it can't be the smelly feet or bad breath thing.

[Capt387]

If it weren't for the spooning, I wouldn't even go.

you ain't even right !!! heck might as well add the dual showers!!

[FWDbuff]

What happens in the firehouse, stays in the firehouse!

[Dickey]

I really love it on the last night of the swing we push the beds together.

[rm1524]

If you can't take a joke, you had better learn quick.

[GTRider245]

It is pretty much just like Backdraft and Ladder 49. To the T.

[Capt387]

Not in as much what you are getting yourself into at the FD is if you are married what you are getting your wife into. Recently there was a guy looking at my FD for a possible career move. I saw him and his wife with their latest of 3 children (a infant) out one day and while talking about the application process I looked at the wife and asked how she feels about it because the 24 hr shifts (and everyone would have to agree with me) can be hard on some families because the spouse left at home has a lot more loaded on them. Here are some of the things I brought to their attention.

1. By the time the FF is ready to retire he will have been gone 7 yrs out of 21 yrs
2. a new baby born today the FF will be at work for 7 yrs out of its life by the time it reaches adult hood
3. It always seems in the luck of the draw your shift falls on most of the Holidays and Birthdays

Let alone the fact of if you and your spouse are fighting or such like that it is (as close as could be) like being in Jail. I aint even begun to talk about the Divorce rate in emergency services, remember you are away a third of the time and like I found in a note on my ex's computer "while the cats away". My Dept has 38 people, 16 have been divorced, the last 5 retirees had been divorced also. It isn't just the FD our Pd and EMS have about the same percentages. Let me say this also, it is not always the spouse left at home either.

I don't mean to discourage you by any means but I think you need to see the negative side also, I have almost 24 yrs in and have seen alot. Discuss things with your spouse (if you are married), pray on things and make the best decision for you and whoever is involved