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As we approach another fire season across the country/world, many new firefighters are finishing up their red card classes for the first time. Do any of you grizzled veterans have any tips, tricks, or interesting stories for us "FNG"s? Thanks.
-steve
Get a good pair of boots ( Whites ) and take care of your feet.
As wildfire season is here for some, for others it will soon be here faster then you know it.
Start running now, start slow and work your way up. Harder you pratice now, when your on fires you will not be huffing and puffing.
Also if your dept does not have brush gear, ie nomex shirt and pants, maybe think about getting a pair for each guy. You will last longer while pulling hose or cutting line.
Keep gatorade or something on the engine or crew transport for after the fire is over to get fluids back in the body.
Also maybe as a crew, if you work on a fire dept, one day go out and cut line with eachother, to see how you all work, and who likes what tool. If you run with a crew of 4 have one guy on a saw, two on a pulaski, one on a combi or shovel as drag.
If going out for more longer runs, IE 14 days. Just make sure you have enough socks and teeshirts. Some good foot power is good too. nothing like getting to camp only to find out you only have 3 pairs of socks.
If you need gear some good links are:
www.nationalfirefighter.com
www.hotshield.com
www.truenorthgear.com
www.drewsboots.com
www.eaglegear.com
www.firecache.com
If you are fortunate enough to be assigned to a large western fire, be aware that temperature ranges could very well be in the low 30s at night...and range up into the 80's during daylight hours. Much depends on your elevation.
Invest in good boots, bring extra socks, extra canteens or a hydration system. HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!
Keep your feet dry...and take care of your equipment. You're going to depend on it for the duration of your assignment.
Bring a disposable camera or two......you're going to want some photos to show the gang...when you get home!
Pay attention, ask questions, get answers......remember your fire orders and:
Lookouts
Awareness
Communications
Escape routes
Safety zones
It's interface training time again, and this one drives me nuts.Quote:
Originally posted by NJFFSA16
remember your fire orders
I have yet to find one new volunteer who can remember any of the Ten Standing Fire Orders, The 18 Fire Conditions That Shout Watch Out, or LACES for more than ten minutes after the lesson ends. :rolleyes:
There has got to be a way to simplify that.
In the end I usually fall back to put the wet/brown stuff on the red stuff and don't get burnt. It usually begins to really sink in sometime during the second or third year. :)