Things I've learned since Volunteering

[FF-Andy]

1. Never overeat. You're guaranteed to go to a ridiculous fire if you're too full.
2. The pager can, will and does wake the dead.
3. Truck sits outside, so I put a rug on my windshield on nights I suspect will frost.
4. People are always glad to see us arrive on scene. Cops have GOT to envy that.
5. I keep a couple bottles of water in my truck. Post fire thirst is CRAZY!
6. I keep a pack of gum in my truck at all times. Death breath is uncool and no time for teeth brushing when the pager wakes the dead.
7. Be smart! Adrenaline will take you to a place where your experience, ability and training can't sustain you...and your Brothers can't save you.
8. Keep socks, pants, shirt and whatever else you might need to throw on beside the bed and ready to go. Forget this, and you're guaranteed to go out that night.
9. Calls always come in threes.
10. Being in top physical condition on the fireground is worth the pain of sprints and weights.
11. Always strive to be the kind of Brother that you'd want to have...and the kind that represents the best of the Fire Service.
12. A set of dry, clean clothes at the hall or in your truck are worth their weight in gold after a big call.


Who else has some tips or universal truths regarding volunteering?

[tree68]

Corrollary for #1 - Never eat more than your mask will hold...

13. If they insist they'll be there for "the big one," they won't be there for that one, either.

[FF-Andy]

Corrollary for #1 - Never eat more than your mask will hold...

13. If they insist they'll be there for "the big one," they won't be there for that one, either.

LOL @ the mask! I've never seen that, but I'm sure it happens somewhere regularly.

And agreed on #13. I've noticed I see the same faces at all our events, structure fires and fund raisers included.

[GhostRider73]

14. If your on a big grass fire and somebody offers to go buy burgers for the crew, always say yes, thank you, even if you just got done eating. You never know how long you'll be out there.

[FIRE117]

#15. Have spare gloves (in multiple sizes: M, Lg., XLG, etc.) on each rig. You never know when your gloves will get soggy and cold and you will need to change to a dry pair.

#16. Every rig going off road (grass fires, etc.) should have a tow rope or chain and clevis w/ pin. You know one truck will get stuck! Spray paint the clevis, pin and safety pin flourescent orange, in case someone drops it in the grass, so you can readily find it.

#17. Keep a suitable size set of booster cables on each truck. You never know when a battery on a rig
will go dead and need a boost.

#18. If a truck does not have a EMS jump bag on it, have several CPR masks, along with medical gloves
on that rig anyway. You may need to give CPR.

[RHB312]

19. Sometimes the reported structure fire is a candle flickering through the window. Sometimes the grass fire covers five acres and is threatening several houses. And you're never sure which it is until you are on scene.

[ff548]

20 Just because some places are paid on call does not mean they are better than every one. We all receive the same training, and also are after the same goal.

21 Just because you may have them fancy lights and sirens on your pov dont mean your above the law and ever other motorist on the road.

22 Even the smallest routine call can turn into the big one in a second. So make every single call you are available for.

[RHB312]

23 For us rural guys-pecan and peanut warehouses and cotton gin fires can't be extinguished-only kept from spreading. And those frustrating fires happen on the coldest, nastiest nights. And sometimes last for days.

[Wolfn]

1. Never overeat. You're guaranteed to go to a ridiculous fire if you're too full.

But isn't it bad luck to die on an empty stomach? that's why I'm always eating.

[tree68]

23 For us rural guys-pecan and peanut warehouses and cotton gin fires can't be extinguished-only kept from spreading. And those frustrating fires happen on the coldest, nastiest nights. And sometimes last for days.

Generally the same for those of us in farming communities. A dairy barn with 2000 bales of hay in the mow will go out when it's darned good and ready.

[FyredUp]

24. Firefighters will look for drama where there is none, so it is better to be busy than not because then there is no time for that type of nonsense. One example is the constant BS of who is better, Paid/Volunteer/Paid On Call. Nothing more than a drama causing waste of time.

[DCmedic1]

25. When someone acts like they know it all and they stop listening/learning they end up dead.

[Bones42]

26. At the firehouse, it's Ok to not like another guy, to argue, to disagree. When the call comes in...all that goes out the window and work together.