12 things a new firefighter should know

[st120emsofficer]

I am putting togeather a new F/F intro sheet
and with it i would like to have what are the first 12 things a F/F
should know ( taught )
Think back when you were new and give your ideas or if you are new ,what do you want to know ( if you even know )

thanks
david

[FyredUp]

I know this may not be what you are looking for but here goes anyways.

1) You have 2 ears and one mouth. Listen at least twice as much as you talk.

2) Don't be told to get busy. Do it on your own. There is always something to do.

3) Know your assigned rig. Know every piece of equipment on it. Know where it is. Keep the rig and equipment clean.

4) Training and learning in the fire service don't stop until you retire.

FyredUp

[CALFFBOU]

I just covered this a couple of days ago.

NEW FIREFIGHTER AT THE TRAINING TOWER

NEW FIREFIGHTER IN THE STATION

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by CALFFBOU
I just covered this a couple of days ago.

NEW FIREFIGHTER AT THE TRAINING TOWER

NEW FIREFIGHTER IN THE STATION

I was just about to say the same thing, Bou.......

Me and Mini-Me got your back.........

[42VTExplorer]

Awww, I'm starting to miss the ole'

"Pardon me sir...but I think we're all over here!" Line...Who was it again that said that?

[Firefighter1219]

Weruj...

[CALFFBOU]

Originally posted by firenresq77
I was just about to say the same thing, Bou.......

Me and Mini-Me got your back.........

Thanks bro, I love you. But for Mini-Me....ummmmmm....
I just cant...He freaks me out. And steals my food at
night when I sleep.

-Bou

[42VTExplorer]

Originally posted by Firefighter1219
Weruj...

I really did know who said it..I was just trying to tease 77 and Bou a little.

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by CALFFBOU


Thanks bro, I love you. But for Mini-Me....ummmmmm....
I just cant...He freaks me out. And steals my food at
night when I sleep.

-Bou

He also cleans himself with your toothbrush, but lets put all that behind us.........

[CALFFBOU]

Originally posted by firenresq77
He also cleans himself with your toothbrush, but lets put all that behind us.........

I just cant. Mini-Me sneaks into my house, eats all of my
food, makes a mess then goes through all of my Playboy
magazines, then leaves. He is just a messy freaky little
goof and I might have to sit on him.

[Weruj1]

ROFLMAO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[42VTExplorer]

I might have to sit on him.

Watch out! He may want you to slide down the "firepole"

[CALFFBOU]

Yeah, maybe not the best choice of words. Mini-me just
wants to get me down.

[CaptBob]

What you do when you first start out will set your reputation and follow you throughout your career. If you don't start out on the right foot, they will show you the door. The crew already knows more about you before you show up than you think.

Use these standards during station visits, your interview process, and as a new rookie to demonstrate you already know what to do when hired:

You're a snotty nose rookie. Keep your mouth shut. Be cordial, friendly and humble. You have no time or opinion until you earn it. You can't force it. That will come with a lot of calls and a few fires.


Leave the electronic leashes off and in your vehicle, along with your piercings, until a time where all your duties are complete. No matter what you might think and how friendly everyone seems to be, you are being watched! It could hurt you big time.

Unless you're told differently, put up and don't forget to take down the flag. If the phone or the doorbell rings, make sure you're the first one running to answer it. There will be certain duties on each day of the week. Tuesday could be laundry day, Saturday yards. Keep track. Stay busy around the station. Always be in a clean proper uniform. Always be ready to get on the rig and respond.

Check out the gear on the rig each morning. Make sure the 02 gauge and the reserve bottle shows enough to handle a long EMS call.

Firefighters usually have "Their" place to sit at the table and in front of the TV. Don't hog the newspaper. The off-going shift has the first crack at the newspaper. You probably have probation tests. Don't park yourself in front of the TV; you have a test coming up. Stay busy. No matter what the atmosphere, you're being watched.

Although you might be a good cook, don't volunteer to cook until asked or rotated in. Make sure your meals are on time. The old adage "Keep them waiting long enough and they will eat anything" doesn't apply here. Be the last one to serve your plate. Don't load up your plate the first time around. Wait to go for seconds.

Always have your hands in the sink doing the dishes after a meal. Be moving out with the garbage and mopping the kitchen floor after each meal.

Learn how to help the officer complete response reports.

Don't tell jokes until you're accepted.

Don't gossip.

Don't play "Your" music on the radio. Don't be a stupid generation X'er or Y’er and always ask why when told to do something. Help others' with their assignments when you finish yours.

Ask how you're doing. Volunteer for assignments. Keep track of these to present at your evaluations.

Don't start pulling hose and other equipment at a scene until the captain tells you.

Always get off the rig before it backs up. Stand to the rear side to guide the rig. Never turn your back on the backing up rig.

It's not uncommon to move to one or more stations during your probation. At your new station, don't act like you already have time. Unfortunately, you have to start all over again as the new rookie.

You will have an elated feeling rolling out on your first calls. There is nothing like it. It could last your whole career. Enjoy and savor it. You earned it. You're the last of America’s Heroes.

I miss it.

Captain Bob

www.eatstress.com

[explr985]

Originally posted by CALFFBOU
I just covered this a couple of days ago.

NEW FIREFIGHTER AT THE TRAINING TOWER

NEW FIREFIGHTER IN THE STATION

Yeah, what he said.

[LGFD36]

I remember a saying that was said when i was a kid. Kids should be seen not heard. Taking that into into the fire service....
1. Listen - listen to what others say... but do not be afraid to ask questions.
2. Know your gear.. your rigs.. where equipment is.. and dont be afraid when someone says to get something and you dont know where it is to ask... it will take a while to get to know where everything is.
3. Dont try to be that guy who has done it all seen it all and got that t-shirt... that day will come for you in later years.
4. A BIG ONE IS TO REALIZE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET YOUR BALLS BUSTED!! DONT GET FRUSTRATED IT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US.

there are many more but there are a few.

C Fisher
Firefighter / EMT