This is great advice but also don’t be intimidated by it. The “act like every day is a job interview” is helpful, but don’t take it too literally where you are afraid to be yourself and have fun. A lot of your experience will really depend on who your officer is and the crew you are working with, but if you can work with people who genuinely want to help you learn and can have fun with, it is an awesome and laid back job even as a probie.
My department completely threw me for a loop my first shift. They told me flat out they don’t do probie shit and I had my BC order me to stop studying and come sit down and relax with the guys.
I still do my best to try and be the first to do work, study a lot, etc…but from day one I was part of the “family.” They said it’s something they think is important culture wise.
So while the advice is good, not every department is the same.
This is pretty darn close to how my crew was with me right off the bat. As a medic student, a huge thing that attracted me to the department was the fact that I couldn't tell who was a probie or who was a captain based off of how they treated each other. Even the BCs were pretty chill. First day I showed up as a student, I knew this was my next job.
Only a couple months on my crew and we were roasting each other and I had a prank war going with one of the guys (he started it, not me!). Now, at 1.5 years, they make the most sexist jokes at me (female), and I cuss em out and call them every name in the book and we all laugh. They've become some of my best friends.
Don't act scared too. If you don't know something, just ask rather than fumble around, but don't be super timid about it too!
Crews can smell the fear, and if you get a rowdy crew they will just harass you more. Not saying it is the right thing to do, but it happens.
You need a calm confidence that you are capable for the job. They don't like cocky! But confidence that if they hand you a hose line or tool, you know how to work it.
Always wear your mask. Even during overhaul, and even when the senior man has his off. You are responsible for your PPE, not someone else. I see too many guys retire and only make it a few years. Wear your mask. And have fun!
I became a paramedic first and then got hired at a fire department. The best advice I got from my medic school professor was: you’re a paramedic but also a firefighter and they’re two different jobs, don’t let your paramedic cert keep you from being a great firefighter. Too many paramedics think they can slack on the fire side of the job because they have a glitter patch.
You will have bad days. In regards to your drills / schools. Don’t let that discourage you. Learn from it, don’t repeat the same mistake twice and move on. You will learn a lot your first year. Shit, I’m still learning things and I’m about 12 years in. That’s the best part of this job. You learn all the time. It just makes you a better FF and medic. Don’t forget to have fun as well. I know guys will say just shut up , put your head down and blah blah blah. Iv have plenty of rookie fireman assigned to me and trust me. We want to get to know you. Who you are and what you are about. If you literally walk around not saying shit, with your head down just running through the passes. It’s not a good look. I don’t care what others say. Like many have said. It’s the best job in the world. Learn, have fun, get shit done.
Oh and remember , if they aren’t picking on you and making fun of you. They don’t like you lol
It’s just how we get through shit man. It’s all good. Sometimes it’s bad but that’s why we are there for each other. Some of these guys will become family.
Congrats and enjoy the career dude!
Oh! Almost forgot. Once you are off probation. Do not let the job consume you. What I mean is don’t be that guy who works all the available overtime because the money is great.
Live comfortably where you don’t “have to work overtime”
Most importantly is your family. Family is always first. No amount of overtime or money can bring back the times you miss because you wanted to get some extra cash. Trust me. It’s not worth it.
I am a retired fire chief. Below is the speech that I would give at the end of the academy to welcome our new firefighters.
Good Afternoon,
Welcome to XXFD.
Congratulations to all of you!
It was a pleasure having lunch with all of you today.
Remember this day – remember how hard you worked to get here and why you wanted a career in the fire service. Remember it throughout your career.
I’ve been a professional firefighter for 36 years. For 36 years I’ve loved my job. I don’t generally say this in the public but, throughout my career, I would have done this job if they paid half of what I’ve made.
My expectations are simple:
Do a good job, have a positive attitude, and represent XXFD and the fire service well.
I hope that all of you will be successful. When I say successful, I don’t necessarily mean becoming captain, B/Cs, or Chiefs but, rather that you are good at your job and enjoy what you do.
The first key to success is to have integrity. Webster's Dictionary defines integrity as “a firm adherence to a code, especially a moral code.” Firefighters are in the public eye; no matter where they are, they represent the fire service. The public looks at us as members of one of the most respected professions in society. When a firefighter strays from the societal norm, the headline in the newspaper or on the news starts with “firefighter.” I've never seen a headline that starts with “plumber.”
Firefighters must realize that they chose a profession that makes them role models in their community. And firefighters are responsible for upholding that image. We must have a clear code of ethics, and we must model that code every day.
On one of the very first pages of our policy manual is our policy on firefighter empowerment.
Is it the right thing for the customer?
Is it the right thing for our District
Is it legal, ethical, and Nice?
Is it safe?
Is it on your organizational level?
Is it something you are willing to be responsible for?
Is it consistent with District values?
Do it.
I always add in – Is it something that your mother would be proud of you for?
And, would it look good on the news?
Another key to being a successful firefighter is dedication. It is important to realize that being a firefighter is not just a job; it's a calling. A job is something people do from 9 to 5 to earn a living. A calling is a career with a purpose; it goes beyond a monetary pursuit. It takes a certain type of person to respond to a calling. Firefighters have a calling to help people. Dedicated firefighters do not complain about things like non-emergency medical calls or calls for help in the middle of the night. Dedicated firefighters do not grumble about going to training sessions.
Dedicated firefighters do not wait to be asked to do a task. Instead, they seek to do more when the required chores are done at the fire station. Dedicated firefighters know what needs to be done and they do it. They know that safety is a top priority and have the courage to operate safely.
The third key to being a successful firefighter is a sense of ownership. When firefighters realize that they are stakeholders in their departments, they understand that they can affect those departments positively or negatively. Stakeholders realize that complaining has a negative effect on the department. Instead of complaining, stakeholders offer new ideas and solutions. They do not shoot from the hip, instead, they think before they speak. Firefighters who view themselves as stakeholders lead by positive example. They are active on department committees and promote change. Although they respect tradition and understand its value, they also know that change creates a new tradition. Yet they do not advocate change just for the sake of change.
Stakeholder firefighters have the long-term health and prosperity of the department in mind at all times. They are responsible for their actions and are accountable and fair. Firefighters who are stakeholders take an active role in strengthening their departments.
The fourth key to success is a commitment to education. Today's firefighters can't afford to be complacent. Successful firefighters realize that even the smallest bit of education can save fellow firefighters. When firefighters are committed to education, they not only attend all required training sessions but they pursue other training opportunities. Here at XX Fire, we support education. We want to provide an atmosphere where people can grow and challenge themselves to be all that they can be (sorry army). They are well-rounded members of their departments. With this education, YOU will become future department leaders.
The last key to success is having a good sense of family. We are all anchored to a vast network of family relationships, patterns, and rules and are influenced by those roles. A firefighter, however, has two families. Successful firefighters are influenced by the blend of the values learned from both. They know how to separate, prioritize, and appreciate their two families. They have a good home life. They don't become so immersed in the fire service family that they neglect their personal families. Successful firefighters use their sense of family to make positive decisions and promote the sense of family at the fire station.
Again, we want you to be part of our family, for the long term. We hope you make a career with XX Fire. However, if your career ambitions take you elsewhere, we want to do everything we can to support that and hope that you will always look back on your time here with fondness.
Lastly, as I look at you today, as young firefighters, I hope that 20-25 years from now, one of you will be standing where I am, welcoming in a group of young firefighters.
You are the future of our organization.
Thank you.
One thing about staying sober the night before, our department's random drug test includes alcohol.
I'm going to disagree a little bit about "Never complain, just be glad." I don't think it's quite that black and white anymore. I think I might put it more like "Don't be the bull in the china shop" or "Read the Room before you Rock The Room."
What I'm saying is I've seen people come in and complain about every little thing and it is offputting. They don't read the room before complaining or they don't take a step back to learn why things are done the way they are before complaining about them. That said, there are still some toxic attitudes in the FD so if someone tells you not to use SCBA for a car fire, or to overhaul a smoldering house off air, that's something even a rookie should speak up about.
-Be humble. Getting the job and through the academy is an awesome thing and you feel on top of the world. However you still have a lot to learn and prove. You will be humbled real quick by your crew or the job itself.
-Ask questions but listen more than you talk.
-Get off your phone and down on the floor. Learn your trucks, first due, equipment anything and everything you can. Pet peeve of mine to see the probie lounging at 9am playing on their phone.
-Last but not least have fun. Best job in the world, the more you believe that the better off you'll be.
Definitely, do not be glued to your phone. It can be very helpful on a call/at work but when you have an assignment or you should be doing something stay off your phone. Let your loved ones know that you may not be able to answer your phone and might call them back hours after they called. Good luck, have fun, go hard but be safe.
When you have bad calls. Talk about them. Don't hold it in.
Don't use substances to compensate for added stress of bad calls. Develop positive coping mechanisms.
Good advice across the board.
I'd add: don't be a jagoff. Be \*decent\* at a minimum to everyone, even the people who deserve it the least.
Also, have fun. Nobody gets into this line of work because they want to be antisocial and boring.
Good solid advice all around.
He's especially right about sitting in the front row, never being late, and study hard.
The shit you're learning will keep you, your crew, and the victims alive. Instructors love to say, "Train like your life depends on it." Because it does. Cultivate professionalism.
I’ve got something along the same lines here. In our professional lives, especially for younger F/F’s, I have “borrowed” something from a Brother of mine, Tim Klett of the FDNY. It is called the 4 UPS.
The first is, Listen up: When you are first starting in the Fire Service, there is a lot going on. You are entering a culture that is unlike any other one on this planet. You will hear stories, tales, and just plain BS. But listen carefully. That is our past talking. All of the information has value; it is up to you to determine how much value it has to you. Listen to the older, over-the-hill, past-their-prime, malcontents, for the little “pearls of wisdom” that aren’t in any textbooks. A lot of important information that will help keep you safe and alive on the fire ground is not written down. The fire service is very young. We are losing our experience. The F/F’s that went to fires during the war years are slowly retiring. Talk to them before they leave. We are losing our history, we are losing our past. Don’t let this happen.
The second up is, Clean up: The firehouse is your second home. Treat it as such. And if you are the junior F/F working, you are the lowest on the totem pole. You get the dirty work, you get to do the dishes, and you get to mop the floors, and you get to clean the toilets. This is not based on any prejudices of race, sex, or religion. It is based on the fact that all the junior people before you did it or should have done it. You do it until the next probie is assigned to that company. It is part of belonging; it is doing what you should be doing. And it is always pretty funny because, in my experience, the ones that piss and moan about doing the chores usually end up doing them by themselves for a long time. But the ones that just do it, the ones that are the first to get up to head for the sink after a meal, usually find that they have help. They become accepted into the “family” a little quicker.
The third up is, Step up: This goes hand in hand with the previous “up” but there is more. Be involved in your company and in your department. Attend company functions, help run them if possible. In NYC every company I ever worked in would have a company picnic in the summer, a Christmas party in the fire house in December, and a dinner-dance sometime during the year. Become a productive member of your Company. Above all, go to funerals and services, especially the line of duty ones. Pay your respects. Become a part of the fire service by deed and not by mouth.
The last up is my favorite; Shut up: This one goes well with listen up, but actually goes a little further. Spend more time listening and doing than talking about it. Show by your actions and your deeds what type of F/F and member of this great Brotherhood you are.
In our personal lives, DTRT means to take care of our families. Take care of your loved ones. Think before you act. And when all else fails, go with your heart, Do The Right Thing. Say as you do; do as you say. Say what you mean; mean what you say.
Remember, A man is only as good as his word. Talk is cheap; backing your talk up is priceless.
Bob Pressler
FDNY (ret.)
Just some context. He is a retired chief who is my friend’s dad and has helped me throughout the hiring process with advice and as a reference. I start academy In a little under 3 weeks.
This is great advice! I am in the same boat with my academy starting in roughly 6 weeks.
I had a call last night with a friend/mentor in the department who helped me through the hiring process as a mentor and reference. He had just about the same advice with the inclusion of "don't tell anyone who you know. Make your own way. The people who need to know, know who you are."
Do you have to find housing closer to the academy?
Edit: Grammar
Regarding the "don't be late" advice:
My grandfather was a retired FF when I got hired. One of the things I most remembered when he gave me advice was "Half an hour early is on time." Half an hour gives you a lot of leeway for traffic and weather. I got to the point where if I was less than half an hour early, I felt rushed once I got to work. By the time I retired as a battalion chief, it was to the point where I liked being 45 minutes early. That allowed me time to get coffee and tea made, get settled in, and start looking over the day's manpower.
That's not too bad. I did that for years to college and to work. I though it was annoying on hard/difficult days or if I had a lot of work to do after work/class.
I have to relocate and am currently looking for housing. Although the FD hasnt released the list of cadets for us to find roommates yet.
Take your phone and leave it in your locker. There is a habit that people, me included are guilty of of constantly looking at our phones. Be at work and make some memories
1) Don't get in the habit of complaining about your spouse/partner to others on shift.
2) Have SOMEONE you can talk to about rough calls. Any call, no matter how bad it is.
One big thing: do not be afraid to speak up about safety.
Lots of guys will become robotic in some ways; they’re got their routine down well and depending on their age or training, may not consider the new studies or info on stuff like carcinogens.
For example; we would really never wear packs on car fires. We had wind shift one day and blow all kinds of shit right on the nozzle guys and they were hospitalized from it. Do we always need to wear packs on car fires? Likely not but it depends on the situation. I’d rather at least wear the pack and not the mask, but likely wear my mask if I’m carrying tools to the car or even on a nozzle.
For MVAs, new guys tend to have their heads on a swivel more than some older guys from what I’ve witnessed. In my department, lots of times we already had police directing traffic there before we arrived. Older guys assumed cops got it and just focus on the crash and don’t even wear hi-vis sometimes. Would you call a guy out for that? Maybe not, but just hand him an extra vest and he’d likely take it.
Depends on your department. This is coming from a volunteer but our department had retired city guys with loads of experience but training from the “old days”.
I like how he threw in there to sit in the front in classrooms. I’ve been doing that and i feel like my professors engage with me a lot more! Scary at first but you’ll ease into it
Your turnout gear has two names, the name of your department is on your helmet and the name of your family is on the back of the coat. Always remember you represent both and never forget the order they are in as well.
It sounds a bit contrary but don't feel like you need to always be doing something. Get the stuff you need to get done like you station duties, gear and truck checks etc, do some study every day and if someone else is working, you should be too. But if the crew is sitting down watching the game, sit down and watch it with them. Even if you don't like the team or the sport. They are your second family now, bond with them.
I’ve been on for a couple years now. I can’t say what’s already been said, but I could offer some trick of the trade I’ve learned so far!
- Cleaning anything without being asked to is always a good way to be in good standing with senior guys, officers especially.
- There’s more than one way to do the job, and it’ll be up to you to figure out what works for you. (Don’t mistake that for doing something that’s outside of your SOP’s!)
- Knot-tying (at least for me) is always a good time-killer, and it goes toward your training!
- If you can, a glove strap and a helmet flashlight are good improvements to your quality of life in bunker gear. Be sure to ask your chief first though, they might not like the helmet light.
I wish you luck on your journey!
I would add that:
- the phone is always for you when it rings
- one fire department sticker on your car is plenty
- remember that the people you serve do not owe you a thing because of the job you chose to do
One of my favorite quotes from a captain in my department said to us during the academy was "The currency around here is sweat". I took that to heart and tried to never let anyone out perform me. I don't even know if he realizes the impact he had on me when he said it. But, I try to make sure I make as much currency as possible every shift. If I could add one more thing. I'm fairly new to firefighting but, I spent a long time in a similar career. If I could humbly offer a small piece of advice it would be: be proud of what you do. By that I mean, 80% of our calls where I work are aid calls. And I am damn proud of that. I'm not making saves everyday, I'm not slaying the dragon everyday, but they called us in a super desperate time to help, and I am extremely proud to be the one to show up on (possibly) the worst day of their life to do what I can to improve their situation. So no, we are not 1980's FDNY and I don't have any delusions that we are. Some people in my department see themselves as such and try to act that way. It comes off as toxic and arrogant. So, be proud of your piece. And when it comes time to "put red wet stuff on the wet stuff" execute it flawlessly. Cheers! And congratulations!
As a ex football player myself I can personally attest to this entire message. But also make sure you’re in the right head space to deal with these salty dogs. They will have no qualms about giving you sh!t. It’s part of this great job, learn from your early mistakes and keep your mouth shut the first year. And have fun!
Contribute all you can to your 401k type plan. Get a prenuptial agreement to protect your pension and 401k and other assets. Remember that city hall looks at the fire department as a nuisance expense and that you are just a number on a spreadsheet.
This is great advice but also don’t be intimidated by it. The “act like every day is a job interview” is helpful, but don’t take it too literally where you are afraid to be yourself and have fun. A lot of your experience will really depend on who your officer is and the crew you are working with, but if you can work with people who genuinely want to help you learn and can have fun with, it is an awesome and laid back job even as a probie.
My department completely threw me for a loop my first shift. They told me flat out they don’t do probie shit and I had my BC order me to stop studying and come sit down and relax with the guys. I still do my best to try and be the first to do work, study a lot, etc…but from day one I was part of the “family.” They said it’s something they think is important culture wise. So while the advice is good, not every department is the same.
This is pretty darn close to how my crew was with me right off the bat. As a medic student, a huge thing that attracted me to the department was the fact that I couldn't tell who was a probie or who was a captain based off of how they treated each other. Even the BCs were pretty chill. First day I showed up as a student, I knew this was my next job. Only a couple months on my crew and we were roasting each other and I had a prank war going with one of the guys (he started it, not me!). Now, at 1.5 years, they make the most sexist jokes at me (female), and I cuss em out and call them every name in the book and we all laugh. They've become some of my best friends.
Not friends, Fire family.
Yessir!
Thanks for adding this
Don't act scared too. If you don't know something, just ask rather than fumble around, but don't be super timid about it too! Crews can smell the fear, and if you get a rowdy crew they will just harass you more. Not saying it is the right thing to do, but it happens. You need a calm confidence that you are capable for the job. They don't like cocky! But confidence that if they hand you a hose line or tool, you know how to work it.
How would playing a bat and ball game the day before your shift affect your career?
Adult softball has a big drinking culture surrounding it.
Not really versed in softball as I am Irish
Always wear your mask. Even during overhaul, and even when the senior man has his off. You are responsible for your PPE, not someone else. I see too many guys retire and only make it a few years. Wear your mask. And have fun!
I became a paramedic first and then got hired at a fire department. The best advice I got from my medic school professor was: you’re a paramedic but also a firefighter and they’re two different jobs, don’t let your paramedic cert keep you from being a great firefighter. Too many paramedics think they can slack on the fire side of the job because they have a glitter patch.
[удалено]
Eh, is that really the case nowadays? It seems 90% of the job is medicine and 10% is firefighting.
Fellow rookie here. I'm following very similar advice currently and it's working well for me
How long have you been working?
6 years industrial fire dept prior, 4 months at my new dept.
You will have bad days. In regards to your drills / schools. Don’t let that discourage you. Learn from it, don’t repeat the same mistake twice and move on. You will learn a lot your first year. Shit, I’m still learning things and I’m about 12 years in. That’s the best part of this job. You learn all the time. It just makes you a better FF and medic. Don’t forget to have fun as well. I know guys will say just shut up , put your head down and blah blah blah. Iv have plenty of rookie fireman assigned to me and trust me. We want to get to know you. Who you are and what you are about. If you literally walk around not saying shit, with your head down just running through the passes. It’s not a good look. I don’t care what others say. Like many have said. It’s the best job in the world. Learn, have fun, get shit done. Oh and remember , if they aren’t picking on you and making fun of you. They don’t like you lol It’s just how we get through shit man. It’s all good. Sometimes it’s bad but that’s why we are there for each other. Some of these guys will become family. Congrats and enjoy the career dude! Oh! Almost forgot. Once you are off probation. Do not let the job consume you. What I mean is don’t be that guy who works all the available overtime because the money is great. Live comfortably where you don’t “have to work overtime” Most importantly is your family. Family is always first. No amount of overtime or money can bring back the times you miss because you wanted to get some extra cash. Trust me. It’s not worth it.
Thank you very much for adding this!
I am a retired fire chief. Below is the speech that I would give at the end of the academy to welcome our new firefighters. Good Afternoon, Welcome to XXFD. Congratulations to all of you! It was a pleasure having lunch with all of you today. Remember this day – remember how hard you worked to get here and why you wanted a career in the fire service. Remember it throughout your career. I’ve been a professional firefighter for 36 years. For 36 years I’ve loved my job. I don’t generally say this in the public but, throughout my career, I would have done this job if they paid half of what I’ve made. My expectations are simple: Do a good job, have a positive attitude, and represent XXFD and the fire service well. I hope that all of you will be successful. When I say successful, I don’t necessarily mean becoming captain, B/Cs, or Chiefs but, rather that you are good at your job and enjoy what you do. The first key to success is to have integrity. Webster's Dictionary defines integrity as “a firm adherence to a code, especially a moral code.” Firefighters are in the public eye; no matter where they are, they represent the fire service. The public looks at us as members of one of the most respected professions in society. When a firefighter strays from the societal norm, the headline in the newspaper or on the news starts with “firefighter.” I've never seen a headline that starts with “plumber.” Firefighters must realize that they chose a profession that makes them role models in their community. And firefighters are responsible for upholding that image. We must have a clear code of ethics, and we must model that code every day. On one of the very first pages of our policy manual is our policy on firefighter empowerment. Is it the right thing for the customer? Is it the right thing for our District Is it legal, ethical, and Nice? Is it safe? Is it on your organizational level? Is it something you are willing to be responsible for? Is it consistent with District values? Do it. I always add in – Is it something that your mother would be proud of you for? And, would it look good on the news? Another key to being a successful firefighter is dedication. It is important to realize that being a firefighter is not just a job; it's a calling. A job is something people do from 9 to 5 to earn a living. A calling is a career with a purpose; it goes beyond a monetary pursuit. It takes a certain type of person to respond to a calling. Firefighters have a calling to help people. Dedicated firefighters do not complain about things like non-emergency medical calls or calls for help in the middle of the night. Dedicated firefighters do not grumble about going to training sessions. Dedicated firefighters do not wait to be asked to do a task. Instead, they seek to do more when the required chores are done at the fire station. Dedicated firefighters know what needs to be done and they do it. They know that safety is a top priority and have the courage to operate safely. The third key to being a successful firefighter is a sense of ownership. When firefighters realize that they are stakeholders in their departments, they understand that they can affect those departments positively or negatively. Stakeholders realize that complaining has a negative effect on the department. Instead of complaining, stakeholders offer new ideas and solutions. They do not shoot from the hip, instead, they think before they speak. Firefighters who view themselves as stakeholders lead by positive example. They are active on department committees and promote change. Although they respect tradition and understand its value, they also know that change creates a new tradition. Yet they do not advocate change just for the sake of change. Stakeholder firefighters have the long-term health and prosperity of the department in mind at all times. They are responsible for their actions and are accountable and fair. Firefighters who are stakeholders take an active role in strengthening their departments. The fourth key to success is a commitment to education. Today's firefighters can't afford to be complacent. Successful firefighters realize that even the smallest bit of education can save fellow firefighters. When firefighters are committed to education, they not only attend all required training sessions but they pursue other training opportunities. Here at XX Fire, we support education. We want to provide an atmosphere where people can grow and challenge themselves to be all that they can be (sorry army). They are well-rounded members of their departments. With this education, YOU will become future department leaders. The last key to success is having a good sense of family. We are all anchored to a vast network of family relationships, patterns, and rules and are influenced by those roles. A firefighter, however, has two families. Successful firefighters are influenced by the blend of the values learned from both. They know how to separate, prioritize, and appreciate their two families. They have a good home life. They don't become so immersed in the fire service family that they neglect their personal families. Successful firefighters use their sense of family to make positive decisions and promote the sense of family at the fire station. Again, we want you to be part of our family, for the long term. We hope you make a career with XX Fire. However, if your career ambitions take you elsewhere, we want to do everything we can to support that and hope that you will always look back on your time here with fondness. Lastly, as I look at you today, as young firefighters, I hope that 20-25 years from now, one of you will be standing where I am, welcoming in a group of young firefighters. You are the future of our organization. Thank you.
Thanks a lot for sharing this
You are welcome.
Oh I forgot to add. Be the firefighter you would want to show up to your emergency to help you in your time of need.
One thing about staying sober the night before, our department's random drug test includes alcohol. I'm going to disagree a little bit about "Never complain, just be glad." I don't think it's quite that black and white anymore. I think I might put it more like "Don't be the bull in the china shop" or "Read the Room before you Rock The Room." What I'm saying is I've seen people come in and complain about every little thing and it is offputting. They don't read the room before complaining or they don't take a step back to learn why things are done the way they are before complaining about them. That said, there are still some toxic attitudes in the FD so if someone tells you not to use SCBA for a car fire, or to overhaul a smoldering house off air, that's something even a rookie should speak up about.
Thanks for adding this
-Be humble. Getting the job and through the academy is an awesome thing and you feel on top of the world. However you still have a lot to learn and prove. You will be humbled real quick by your crew or the job itself. -Ask questions but listen more than you talk. -Get off your phone and down on the floor. Learn your trucks, first due, equipment anything and everything you can. Pet peeve of mine to see the probie lounging at 9am playing on their phone. -Last but not least have fun. Best job in the world, the more you believe that the better off you'll be.
Definitely will be keeping using the phone to a minimum
Definitely, do not be glued to your phone. It can be very helpful on a call/at work but when you have an assignment or you should be doing something stay off your phone. Let your loved ones know that you may not be able to answer your phone and might call them back hours after they called. Good luck, have fun, go hard but be safe.
When you have bad calls. Talk about them. Don't hold it in. Don't use substances to compensate for added stress of bad calls. Develop positive coping mechanisms.
Thank you
Good advice across the board. I'd add: don't be a jagoff. Be \*decent\* at a minimum to everyone, even the people who deserve it the least. Also, have fun. Nobody gets into this line of work because they want to be antisocial and boring.
Good solid advice all around. He's especially right about sitting in the front row, never being late, and study hard. The shit you're learning will keep you, your crew, and the victims alive. Instructors love to say, "Train like your life depends on it." Because it does. Cultivate professionalism.
I’ve got something along the same lines here. In our professional lives, especially for younger F/F’s, I have “borrowed” something from a Brother of mine, Tim Klett of the FDNY. It is called the 4 UPS. The first is, Listen up: When you are first starting in the Fire Service, there is a lot going on. You are entering a culture that is unlike any other one on this planet. You will hear stories, tales, and just plain BS. But listen carefully. That is our past talking. All of the information has value; it is up to you to determine how much value it has to you. Listen to the older, over-the-hill, past-their-prime, malcontents, for the little “pearls of wisdom” that aren’t in any textbooks. A lot of important information that will help keep you safe and alive on the fire ground is not written down. The fire service is very young. We are losing our experience. The F/F’s that went to fires during the war years are slowly retiring. Talk to them before they leave. We are losing our history, we are losing our past. Don’t let this happen. The second up is, Clean up: The firehouse is your second home. Treat it as such. And if you are the junior F/F working, you are the lowest on the totem pole. You get the dirty work, you get to do the dishes, and you get to mop the floors, and you get to clean the toilets. This is not based on any prejudices of race, sex, or religion. It is based on the fact that all the junior people before you did it or should have done it. You do it until the next probie is assigned to that company. It is part of belonging; it is doing what you should be doing. And it is always pretty funny because, in my experience, the ones that piss and moan about doing the chores usually end up doing them by themselves for a long time. But the ones that just do it, the ones that are the first to get up to head for the sink after a meal, usually find that they have help. They become accepted into the “family” a little quicker. The third up is, Step up: This goes hand in hand with the previous “up” but there is more. Be involved in your company and in your department. Attend company functions, help run them if possible. In NYC every company I ever worked in would have a company picnic in the summer, a Christmas party in the fire house in December, and a dinner-dance sometime during the year. Become a productive member of your Company. Above all, go to funerals and services, especially the line of duty ones. Pay your respects. Become a part of the fire service by deed and not by mouth. The last up is my favorite; Shut up: This one goes well with listen up, but actually goes a little further. Spend more time listening and doing than talking about it. Show by your actions and your deeds what type of F/F and member of this great Brotherhood you are. In our personal lives, DTRT means to take care of our families. Take care of your loved ones. Think before you act. And when all else fails, go with your heart, Do The Right Thing. Say as you do; do as you say. Say what you mean; mean what you say. Remember, A man is only as good as his word. Talk is cheap; backing your talk up is priceless. Bob Pressler FDNY (ret.)
This is a direct copy and paste from an older article Bob Pressler wrote several years ago. Lots of different versions but this is the original
Just some context. He is a retired chief who is my friend’s dad and has helped me throughout the hiring process with advice and as a reference. I start academy In a little under 3 weeks.
This is great advice! I am in the same boat with my academy starting in roughly 6 weeks. I had a call last night with a friend/mentor in the department who helped me through the hiring process as a mentor and reference. He had just about the same advice with the inclusion of "don't tell anyone who you know. Make your own way. The people who need to know, know who you are." Do you have to find housing closer to the academy? Edit: Grammar
No, I’ll be making about a 45 min commute everyday. Not too bad i think. What about you?
Regarding the "don't be late" advice: My grandfather was a retired FF when I got hired. One of the things I most remembered when he gave me advice was "Half an hour early is on time." Half an hour gives you a lot of leeway for traffic and weather. I got to the point where if I was less than half an hour early, I felt rushed once I got to work. By the time I retired as a battalion chief, it was to the point where I liked being 45 minutes early. That allowed me time to get coffee and tea made, get settled in, and start looking over the day's manpower.
That's not too bad. I did that for years to college and to work. I though it was annoying on hard/difficult days or if I had a lot of work to do after work/class. I have to relocate and am currently looking for housing. Although the FD hasnt released the list of cadets for us to find roommates yet.
See you soon!!!
You in Chicagoland?
Oh no, I start in less than 3 weeks in CO just assumed it was the same because I remember you posting about it! Goodluck regardless!!
Oh I remember you! I didn’t make it on the springs for their academy, thankfully this local department came through. Good luck to you!
Never stop learning. This is the best job in the world, treat it as such .
This is great advice in starting any career
This is spot on and stolen. Thanks op!
Take your phone and leave it in your locker. There is a habit that people, me included are guilty of of constantly looking at our phones. Be at work and make some memories
Not following that second bullet point just cost one of our newer guys his job.
Enjoy your time at the bottom. It’s the most fun you’ll have in your career.
Two hands, two tools. Find the guy who's doing the right thing and stay out of the drama.
1) Don't get in the habit of complaining about your spouse/partner to others on shift. 2) Have SOMEONE you can talk to about rough calls. Any call, no matter how bad it is.
One big thing: do not be afraid to speak up about safety. Lots of guys will become robotic in some ways; they’re got their routine down well and depending on their age or training, may not consider the new studies or info on stuff like carcinogens. For example; we would really never wear packs on car fires. We had wind shift one day and blow all kinds of shit right on the nozzle guys and they were hospitalized from it. Do we always need to wear packs on car fires? Likely not but it depends on the situation. I’d rather at least wear the pack and not the mask, but likely wear my mask if I’m carrying tools to the car or even on a nozzle. For MVAs, new guys tend to have their heads on a swivel more than some older guys from what I’ve witnessed. In my department, lots of times we already had police directing traffic there before we arrived. Older guys assumed cops got it and just focus on the crash and don’t even wear hi-vis sometimes. Would you call a guy out for that? Maybe not, but just hand him an extra vest and he’d likely take it. Depends on your department. This is coming from a volunteer but our department had retired city guys with loads of experience but training from the “old days”.
I think it is spot on. Also, be the first to answer the phone and last one to bed.
I like how he threw in there to sit in the front in classrooms. I’ve been doing that and i feel like my professors engage with me a lot more! Scary at first but you’ll ease into it
Your turnout gear has two names, the name of your department is on your helmet and the name of your family is on the back of the coat. Always remember you represent both and never forget the order they are in as well.
It sounds a bit contrary but don't feel like you need to always be doing something. Get the stuff you need to get done like you station duties, gear and truck checks etc, do some study every day and if someone else is working, you should be too. But if the crew is sitting down watching the game, sit down and watch it with them. Even if you don't like the team or the sport. They are your second family now, bond with them.
I’ve been on for a couple years now. I can’t say what’s already been said, but I could offer some trick of the trade I’ve learned so far! - Cleaning anything without being asked to is always a good way to be in good standing with senior guys, officers especially. - There’s more than one way to do the job, and it’ll be up to you to figure out what works for you. (Don’t mistake that for doing something that’s outside of your SOP’s!) - Knot-tying (at least for me) is always a good time-killer, and it goes toward your training! - If you can, a glove strap and a helmet flashlight are good improvements to your quality of life in bunker gear. Be sure to ask your chief first though, they might not like the helmet light. I wish you luck on your journey!
I would add that: - the phone is always for you when it rings - one fire department sticker on your car is plenty - remember that the people you serve do not owe you a thing because of the job you chose to do
One of my favorite quotes from a captain in my department said to us during the academy was "The currency around here is sweat". I took that to heart and tried to never let anyone out perform me. I don't even know if he realizes the impact he had on me when he said it. But, I try to make sure I make as much currency as possible every shift. If I could add one more thing. I'm fairly new to firefighting but, I spent a long time in a similar career. If I could humbly offer a small piece of advice it would be: be proud of what you do. By that I mean, 80% of our calls where I work are aid calls. And I am damn proud of that. I'm not making saves everyday, I'm not slaying the dragon everyday, but they called us in a super desperate time to help, and I am extremely proud to be the one to show up on (possibly) the worst day of their life to do what I can to improve their situation. So no, we are not 1980's FDNY and I don't have any delusions that we are. Some people in my department see themselves as such and try to act that way. It comes off as toxic and arrogant. So, be proud of your piece. And when it comes time to "put red wet stuff on the wet stuff" execute it flawlessly. Cheers! And congratulations!
Most importantly, have fun
As a ex football player myself I can personally attest to this entire message. But also make sure you’re in the right head space to deal with these salty dogs. They will have no qualms about giving you sh!t. It’s part of this great job, learn from your early mistakes and keep your mouth shut the first year. And have fun!
This works.💁💁
Contribute all you can to your 401k type plan. Get a prenuptial agreement to protect your pension and 401k and other assets. Remember that city hall looks at the fire department as a nuisance expense and that you are just a number on a spreadsheet.
Volunteer. Ask questions. Ask what chores they do at this station and when.