The Fire Dept. as a whole, all over the world, is a brotherhood. But are Explorers considered part of this so called "brotherhood??" i was talking with a firefighter and my Explorer Engineer (2 positions under me, also 2nd in command @ our post) and we kinda got into a heavy..."debate" on whether or not Explorers are considered part of the "brotherhood."
I believe they are.

What do you think??

Explorer Capt Marc Hurwitz
Los Angeles CITY Fire Dept.
post 68

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Well lets see he talked about his many kneepads and his many times in the jump seat and over and over and over about how well expericned he was, my conversation leading up to all those comments never talked about his experience or my lack there of, but he used the many oppurtunitys to throw it in there, and there had been other times where he has caused issues with other less expereinced members, read his wall posts youll see what I mean. Theres a real nice quote about people making personal attacks against him and how he doesn't like it. Am I right or does a repaly not say that he always screws up discussions with his BS comments, now where did I see him pulling that before, ohh and thinking hes the greatest thing on earth, NO that can't be good old Jack now can it? Thats no joke what happened there.
I no longer care what happens to this discussion, let his past history on here speak for itself its not disputable that he causes trouble in other discussions just like this. He thinks hes better than anyone who he can take on no matter what.
Ah, don't let it get to you, Jack. A bit of youthful enthusiasm never killed anyone.
wow, I can't believe the vitriol this topic has brought out. Really guys, who the heck cares? I would guess every department in the world has good and bad people. We share some experiences and a common interest, leave it at that. I don't know if I'm a "brother" or just another bozo with a funny hat.

Regarding probies, juniors, and explorers: I go out of my way to be nice to these members. They always get stuck with the scut work, and don't get to do most of the cool stuff. The never-ending cycle of treating the young guys like crap because they are young is pointless and self defeating.
Alright Vic thanks for a little mediation, I get it and I think were done with the crap that is happening here, it shoouldn't be this way. Thanks.
My exact thoughts!!. What are you bringing to the table to be worthy of being part of the Brotherhood?
team player?, can I trust you with my life?, are you just in it for the T-Shirts?. When you get your butt chewed on say "thank you, Sir" and learn from it. If you don't get chewed on once in a while, you're not brotherhood material. When a veteran makes a comment like "I've been in this department for over 30 years and no one has anything over me", you are seeing a person that didn't quite make to the brotherhood level.
The fire service is like a family. Your immediate family is the closest. These are the ones you see everyday, work with, train with and learn to either trust or distrust (just like real families there are black sheeps here too). As you move further away from your immediate dept (family) then you enter the realm of 1st cousins. You are still friendly and see each other occasionally but not as close to them as your immediate family.

Then as you progress further and further away they become more distant relatives. You may or may not even recognize their name or know anything about them, but there is still a little remnant of family there.

If something tragic happens your entire family may unite for a brief period of rememberance and then go back to their own spheres of existance.

Do I know anyone on the FDNY dept that lost their life on 9/11? No. Do I know any of the Charleston firefighters who were killed in the line of duty? No. But thinking about them and the circumstances surrounding what happened I do feel a kinship for them at that moment because it brings to light the fact that none of us know when our Maker will call us home.

Now, then do I feel that I can walk into any firehouse in the county and immediately feel at ease and at home with them? Not at all. They are strangers to me. While we have the fire service as a common denominator we do not know Jack (no, not Jack/DT) about each other and have not earned the trust that comes from working intimately with each other.

To me the term "Brotherhood" is not an all inclusive term that immediately admits everyone that puts on a "firefighters kick Ash" T-shirt or by the ball cap and the big belt buckle. To be admitted to the Brotherhood you need to earn the respect and prove your worth so to speak. What we do is dangerous and we need to know that we can trust the person working beside us.

So for the explorers and probies out there, don't dispair. While you may be on the outer edge of the circle right now you have the power to determine if you can enter the inner circle. Train hard, listen to the elders, respect authority and always strive to achieve and you will start earning the respect and trust of the rest of the team. We have all had to go through this process and understand your concerns and thoughts (and I guarentee that they will be different once you have more experience under your belt).
So your saying that there are different levels of the firefighting family, I do see what you mean, thanks for your insight.
yah but I didnt mention the secret wink and ear wiggle. OH Dang It! you tricked me into that! Sheeesh! Now were gonna have to have a special meeting just to change it. OK, new ideas of the secret stuff?
In my department you're in if you know where the bodies are hid.
In my opinion any fire fighter who goes to the calls, trains hard is part of the brotherhood wether they are explorers or regular members. The ones I do not consider to be in the brotherhood are the one who want to run around and say they are fire fighters but do litlle esle than say they are.

To me if the explorers go to the calls and attend the training classes and listen to their officers then yes they are apart of the brotherhood.
how'd you get that big firetruck up there on the high dive? And in your Nomex fruit of the looms?

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