What do you keep in you station/duty bag?

[PoolerFire]

I am wondering what all of you keep in your duty/station bag for you shift (i.e.: extra clothes, paperwork, accessories, etc.) I am starting my first full time shift and need to know what to take with me. Thanks in advance.

[Firemedic 61]

First off congrats on getting hired. You've passed the first step, your second step is successfully making it off probation. I don't keep much in my bag because I keep my spare stuff in my locker. You should throw in a second uniform, plus socks, toiletries, a towel and maybe a few healthy snack bars. A couple extra pens, a note pad and shift calender wouldn't hurt either. Make sure that you keep a spare uniform and towel in your LOCKED CAR just in case................

[BoxAlarm187]

I keep everything in my locker, to include spare uniforms, socks, underwear, toiletries, bedding, documents, and the like.

[dortiz6974]

If you are a firefighter where winter is an issue. Pack a small jump bag to put on the truck with you. This bag should have any of the following items. Extra T-shirt, socks, knit hat, extra gloves, sweatshirt. You will be surprised by how quick you will warm up by just changing your tshirt on a extended scene... Keep your eyes open as to what the 20 yr guys may have and you will pick up a lot of little tips and tricks.

[FiremanLyman]

I'm lucky enough to usually stay at my station and not have to travel (backfill) at other stations much. But in my bag are always a second pair of structure gloves and a hood. Nothing is worse than putting on wet structure gloves or a soaked hood.

Other things that need to go with you that aren't always common sense;

-shower shoes (flip-flops) to ward off athlete’s foot in the shower

-always have a few pens, you don't want to reuse one covered in vomit and always need to have one

-bottle of Motrin or Aleve (showing my age)

-bread and milk, because you never know if you are going to get stationed with people who don't want to go anywhere to get something to eat.

[ffbam24]

At the very least; one spare uniform, skivvies, socks, towel, deodorant, toothbrush and phone charger.

Good luck!

[FiremanLyman]

At the very least; one spare uniform, skivvies, socks, towel, deodorant, toothbrush and phone charger.

Good luck!

Assuming he is a probie from the OP, I'd leave the phone and charger in your car. Give the wife / girlfriend / lifepartner the station number to get a hold of you if she / he needs to.

[BSFD140]

I am one our departments part-time/paid on call ff's. We have three stations we rotate through, and as a p/t ff I don't have a locker assigned.

Because of that I keep a spare change of clothes, toilettries, and a towel. I also keep a sleeping bag & pillow for if I am running and staying overnight.

Haven't found the need for anything else.

[mrpita]

As you can see from above, it depends on what you want/need, and can depend on what type of assignment you have - permanent, rotating, floating, etc. It also depends on exactly what you mean by your "station bag" - something to go on the truck with you, stuff to have in station, etc...

As for me, my bag to go on truck (SCBA mask bag) has spares (hood, FF gloves, work gloves) and in winter I'll add a LS t-shirt and ice-grippers to fit my FF boots in case of an extra.

Stuff I always make sure I have access to (usually in my personal truck when I'm detailed out) minor assortment of first aid/toiletries such as tums, gum, deodorant, sunscreen, etc., also at least a spare t-shirt/underwear/socks if not complete change of uni, work jacket if not wearing it, phone charger*, etc.

In my regular station my locker has all my spare unis/dress uni/etc. plus full complement of toiletries to shower/shave/etc.

* - phone; we used to have "fire phones" (station #) and "bell phones" (payphone) but payhones removed due to popularity of cell phones. Would have no problem with rookie using cell phone in strict MODERATION. Tradition has it you never gave out the fire phone # but took all your calls on the bell phone. Fire phone is given to the wife in case of emergency only. (Really, I'm told tradition was the wife would get the fire phone # and the GF got the bell phone#, so the guys knew right away the deal...)

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Four fried chickens and a coke...

[firefightinirish217]

Will you be moving around a lot? When I first got hired I had to move around a lot. That being the case I didn't always have a locker, and I knew i could be moved to another station at a moment's notice if someone called in sick. So, I kept everything I'd need for the shift, 24 hours there, in my bag. I usually kept at least 6 t-shirts, and extra uniform, on a hanger, don't want wrinkle, pt gear, running shoes, a toiletry bag, a ton of socks and extra underwear in case we had a fire or multiple fires. It'll take you a couple of shifts to really get a feel of exactly what you need and don't need, but you'll get it. Also, once you move on up the seniority ladder and get a station, you'll get to stay inone spot for a while and won't have to carry so much stuff around. Good luck, and have fun. I miss it.

[Firemedic 61]

Four fried chickens and a coke...

What if they guys at his station don't like chicken and Coke???????

[len1582]

. . . Tums

[BoxAlarm187]

What if they guys at his station don't like chicken and Coke???????

Give them some dry white toast.

[FiremanLyman]

* - phone; we used to have "fire phones" (station #) and "bell phones" (payphone) but payhones removed due to popularity of cell phones. Would have no problem with rookie using cell phone in strict MODERATION. Tradition has it you never gave out the fire phone # but took all your calls on the bell phone. Fire phone is given to the wife in case of emergency only. (Really, I'm told tradition was the wife would get the fire phone # and the GF got the bell phone#, so the guys knew right away the deal...)

Now that's old school.

For a rookie, try not to carry the cell phone while on duty. It is actually very liberating not to have the electronic leash. I put mine in my mailbox each morning. If you cannot live without it at least keep it on vibrate in your pocket. And stop updating your facebook, tweeting or whatever you can do with a phone now a days. Nothing more annoying than walking into a station and the whole company has a iPhone up to their face... seen that in person, wanted to puke.

[ChiefKN]

Four fried chickens and a coke...

Two turntables and a microphone?

[N2DFire]

I am one our departments part-time/paid on call ff's. We have three stations we rotate through, and as a p/t ff I don't have a locker assigned.

Because of that I keep a spare change of clothes, toilettries, and a towel. I also keep a sleeping bag & pillow for if I am running and staying overnight.

Haven't found the need for anything else.

Pretty much the same here.

I'm P/T and no locker so my "go bag" always has a full change of clothes including socks & skivvies, towel, toiletries, and a small "drug bag" with tums, advil, etc.

Warm weather I'll also keep an additional extra shirt (usually a T-Shirt that doubles as the sleep shirt on overnight tours).

I also carry a pillow / sleeping bag, and shorts for overnight tours as well as any "personal comfort" items (food, laptop, cell charger, ect) that I want for that specific shift.

[LaFireEducator]

I work a day shift in a public education, training and admin capacity, and generally respond on only significant fires, MVAs and rescue incidents.

I keep the following in my locker:

1 full set dress uniform (long sleeve and short sleeve shirts), including dress shoes for unscheduled events requiring formal dress.
1 full set work uniform
2 spare t-shirts
1 additional polo shirt
1 spare pair boots
Rainwear
Showering supplies
Bedding/Pillow for disaster situations where I would be required to stay over.
Hygiene supplies

[LaFireEducator]

Four fried chickens and a coke...

Whole chickens?

[firefightcowboy]

Cheese wiz in a can.