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About LinkBacksHey guys, I am 2 days into my academy so far for Norfolk, VA Fire - Rescue. Anyways, I am a pretty large individual, I am about 6'1 270 lbs. I have heard both my instructors talk about me saying " he is going to be a ladder guy". I am assuming that they are saying that I will possibly be assigned to a ladder? Does anyone know why this is? All feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Thread: Large Firefighters and Ladders
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01-12-2010, 07:00 PM #1Forum Member
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Large Firefighters and Ladders
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01-12-2010, 07:02 PM #2Forum Member
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Traditionally big, tall, gorilla types were assigned to truck companies. This was because of forcible entry, overhaul, ventilation, search, where there size was an advantage. Smaller statured guys were assigned to engine companies.
Today this doesn't seem to apply as much as it did times past.“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Leo F. Buscaglia
This place gets weirder and weirder every day...
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01-12-2010, 07:07 PM #3Forum Member
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How large? Like "Hey big guy" or "that SCBA looks like a Tic-Tac on a mouse's back" big...
Just kidding man, good luck.
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01-12-2010, 07:09 PM #4Forum Member
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Ok, I see. That makes sense. Thank you for the insight.
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01-12-2010, 07:10 PM #5Forum Member
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lol. More or so the "big guy".
Originally Posted by FiremanLyman
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01-12-2010, 08:16 PM #6MembersZone Subscriber
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Yeah, too many of us "big" guys wanted to get off the trucks and become real firefighters on the engines! Originally Posted by FyredUp
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01-12-2010, 08:40 PM #7Forum Member
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Yeah, big guys ARE useful for all those things... Originally Posted by FyredUp
Get 4 smaller guys at each corner, smash the big guy lid-first into the door, battering ram!
Put the aerial about 20ft above the roof, let big guy swan-dive off, one-step ventilation.
Even useful on wildland fires. Have big guy dive off a ridge and slide down the hill lid-first, insta-dozer line. >:-D
I joke, cause I used to be a "big guy"... not big-big, but not all that much smaller than the OP. Now I'm one of those almost-lanky guys, where I belong.
If ya wanna be big like Ah-nuld in the Roid Rage days, have at it... but, and I'm sure this'll hurt a lot of butts (particularly of the wider variety), I'm not sure the other interpretation of "big" has much place out on the fireground... :-/My opinions might coincide with someone of importance's POV... I wouldn't know, since I never bothered to ask. My policy is: "Don't ask, don't care."
IACOJ--West Coast PITA
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01-12-2010, 09:31 PM #855 Years & Still Rolling
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Yeah..............
Life is so Easy here.......
BIGGEST Guys on the Truck........
SMALLER Guys on the Engine......
SMARTEST Guys on the Rescue Companies........... 
Been a Rescue Guy almost from Day One.........
Last edited by hwoods; 01-12-2010 at 09:33 PM.
Never use Force! Get a Bigger Hammer.
In memory of
Chief Earle W. Woods, 1912 - 1997
Asst. Chief John R. Woods Sr. 1937 - 2006
IACOJ Budget Analyst
I Refuse to be a Spectator. If I come to the Game, I'm Playing.
www.gdvfd18.com
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01-12-2010, 09:40 PM #9Forum Member
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You DO realize you're kind of a walking enigma don't you Harve?,hehe T.C.
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01-12-2010, 09:43 PM #10Forum Member
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big dumb apes on trucks
medium to smaller smarter guys on engines
hero complex guys on the rescue
I may have some personal bias
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01-12-2010, 09:50 PM #11Forum Member
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SOME?...............Yah think? hehe T.C.
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01-12-2010, 11:00 PM #12Back In Black
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Wait, who's riding in the Fire SUV?? Originally Posted by hwoods
Life is so Easy here.......
BIGGEST Guys on the Truck........
SMALLER Guys on the Engine......
SMARTEST Guys on the Rescue Companies...........
Been a Rescue Guy almost from Day One.........
I am now a past chief and the views, opinions, and comments are mine and mine alone. I do not speak for any department or in any official capacity. Although, they would be smart to listen to me.
"The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list."
"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water."
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01-12-2010, 11:12 PM #13Forum Member
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Wow I've been an Engine guy for a while but just got transferred to the Truck. Iam confused. lol
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01-12-2010, 11:28 PM #14Forum Member
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Originally Posted by JMac73
I warned you about those Steroids...HAVE PLAN.............WILL TRAVEL
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01-12-2010, 11:34 PM #15Forum Member
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You're confused? Try walking in my shoes...I ride on a quint!! Originally Posted by JMac73
“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Leo F. Buscaglia
This place gets weirder and weirder every day...
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01-12-2010, 11:46 PM #16Forum Member
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So you ride right next to the pink tu-tu wearin Quint Faerie hermself, 26? Originally Posted by FyredUp
My opinions might coincide with someone of importance's POV... I wouldn't know, since I never bothered to ask. My policy is: "Don't ask, don't care."
IACOJ--West Coast PITA
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01-12-2010, 11:56 PM #17Forum Member
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I'm sure you don't mean this Quint...
HAVE PLAN.............WILL TRAVEL
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01-13-2010, 12:18 AM #18Forum Member
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Nope but I do consider myself to be a super hero in the fireservice since I am both an engine man and a truckie all rolled into one!! Originally Posted by the1141man
So you ride right next to the pink tu-tu wearin Quint Faerie hermself, 26?
“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Leo F. Buscaglia
This place gets weirder and weirder every day...
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01-13-2010, 12:20 AM #19Forum Member
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Here's a little poem a friend of mine taught me about 20 years ago:
He strides from the engine with a hose in his hand,
He walks with authority he's an engine man,
He relies on skill and not on luck,
Like those wedge headed dildos that ride on a truck!!
My apologies to the most frail of heart for the obvious crudeness of this.“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Leo F. Buscaglia
This place gets weirder and weirder every day...
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01-13-2010, 12:27 AM #20Forum Member
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My head has never been described as "wedge-shaped"...
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