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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on July 21, 2011 at 12:06am

I say you're generalizing way too much.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Gregory on July 21, 2011 at 10:21am

I bet one day long ago when you started the job and were really enthusiastic there was some guy who'd been on the job 18 years who thought, "Who the hell does this kid think he is? Just because he graduated the academy doesn't mean he knows it all. What the hell is wrong with these rookies today?" and I'd bet when that guy first started there was an experienced firefighter saying the same thing about him.

Just take the time, share your knowledge and help to make the next generation for firefighters as good as the previous ones have been.

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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on July 22, 2011 at 4:20am

It's not a rookie thing as much as it is a generation thing. As a training officer, I spend alot of time with this new generation and yes, it is heartbreaking at times. This new generation is just not the same as we were. Not saying that we were great. We definately have our issues. we didn't have ADHD, ADD, Ritalin, etc...We were a generation of undiagnosed learning disabilities. Nonetheless, this gneration is definately unique in their own way.
I tell my Chief all of the time, "I can teach a cadet how to throw a ladder or pump a truck, but I can't teach him how to care. I can teach a cadet hydraulics, but I can't teach him heart." In my own personal opinion, it is us as a generation of doers and teachers that are failing this younger generation. We have to find out how to motivate and stimulate them. We have to learn how to teach them and reach them. We need to find out where their heart is and then guide that heart back to the love of the Fire Service. The question is how?

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Permalink Reply by Sparky3317 on July 22, 2011 at 10:46am

I agree 100% with you John. There are plenty of rookies out there that have the heart and drive for the fire service.

And its like that in most generations. You have people who have the heart and drive and then you have the ones who are just in it for the schedule and benefits (coming from personal experience of knowing a few).

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Permalink Reply by Marc Hansen on August 4, 2011 at 9:15pm

All this upcoming generation does is reflect the generation that raised them. When we were kids we had nothing else to do so we went outside and played games heavy with imagination(war, cowboys and indians), or sports. Todays generation isnt allowed outside after school because mom and dad both work and no one is around to keep them safe from the guys that drive windowless vans. But they have internet and play station to keep them company and that is what they learn.
Today's generation is being taught by yesterday's generation that you dont need to practice(train) or sacrifice (take your weeks vacation for a class or dept carnival) to be the best...you get the same trophy just for signing up.
If we want to reach this generation WE have to venture out of our comfort zone to find something that they know and show them how it relates to the fire service. Spend a little time playing video games (or at least watch your kids as they play the popular ones), bet it wont take long before you start finding similarities. Look at some of the popular games: Flight Simulator, Call of Duty, Need for speed. Flight simulator runs the gamit from a small cessna to a 747, yet we cant teach a young person how to read the gauges on a pump panel? In Call of duty there are teams in communication with each other coordinating attacks on different places on a map to obtain a victory. In the fire service we use radios to coordinate vent,supression and rescue to put out the fire. Look at the number of online role playing games...these are kids that are used to working together, doing different jobs to achieve a shared objective. All we have to do is remove the word "virtual" from their reality.
Anybody ever do a fire safety day for the elementary school kids? We get down to their level(physically) and put it into words they can understand. All we have to do for this generation is the same thing, get on their level(not physically this time) and put it words they understand.

And the days of fighting fire with a joystick ain't that far away. The first ladder truck I was on required one guy to run the aerial, and two guys to lay the hose up the rungs afterr the ladder was extended. Today one guy can set the pump and operate the ladder, and flow water, and change stream pattern all without moving his feet.

The times they are a changing and to work with the new generation we better be willing to meet them halfway. Because as much as we need to show them how it was done they will be showing us how it will be done soon

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Permalink Reply by Tucker Martin on August 7, 2011 at 1:19am

The fact that they have a drive to reach the top should be commended not insulted. In any case I agree with John, I think you're trying to create a stereotype that simply doesn't exist.

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Permalink Reply by Todd on August 7, 2011 at 8:35pm

For the most part I think the rookies we have had in the past few years have been more dedicated than those from say 10-15 years ago. We sure seem to have a higher retention rate past one year than we had before, and the ones we have lost were because they either took career positions within the county and can no longer volunteer, or had to move out of the area because of work...and the majority of those ended up volunteering in their new towns.

The current crop of rookies we have are a motivated, energized group who always seems to be in one class or another, and willing to do whatever they can to help out around the station.

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Permalink Reply by Ron King (Fire Chief) on August 7, 2011 at 8:45pm

Remember everyone was a Rookie at one time! Something was most likely said about us from the Pro's when we started.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on August 7, 2011 at 9:26pm

leading by example... there is no other way...

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Permalink Reply by Moose on August 8, 2011 at 11:09am

I was giving you a standing ovation while reading this post brother! Very well stated and I couldnt agree with you more.

I used to feel the same way when I was a rookie, like I was already a good firefighter because I was 3rd generation and knew a lot about it already...until the seasoned, well intentioned and supportive older firefighter smacked the back of my helmet and took me under his wing. He took the time to explain things to me, showed up to the training and watched me, then coached me as I went. Grabbed me at fires and said "Shut up and listen and stay right behind me". I did it and payed attention, than when we were out he would say "remember in your training when he said 'ABC 123' well this is what he meant" It would suddenly click and I understood.
Its this kind of "mentoring" that is needed to make a truly experienced firefighter, and its up to us as "First Whips" (experienced firefighters) to walk up to these snotty, over confident rookies and smack them in the back of the helmet and take them under our wings. Training is a great foundation for them, and we as seasoned vets need to remind them that now you need to build the framework and continue to build as you go through your careers, and in order to do that you need to listen to those of us who already have houses built, and have seen a lot and experienced a lot. Without that guidance your just another overnight sensation who is self taught and very dangerous.
Guide the youth of today, dont bash them. Its our fault they are what they are because no one takes them under their wings and teaches them, instead of picking on them.
Stay Safe.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Rumpff on August 13, 2011 at 3:48pm

I'm sorry to hear that Gary, I'm having that same problem for the most part. I teach at our recriut academy and see an average of thirty students a year. A few of them figure out after the third day of class that they have to invest more time and energy than what they thought and quit (Too many think its like on TV). Then I will loose a few more after we are half way thru the course. There again, its usually because its more work than what they expected, or they just were'nt cut out to be a firefighter.
However, once they have completed their recruit training and become Rookies, these men and women show a strong commitment to the job and an interest to learn more. Sure, they make mistakes as we all did when we first went into the field,but that can be used as another learning oppertunity.I have found that pairing a Rookie with an experienced Firefighter that is willing to work as a mentor seems to work the best,and atitude plays a big role as well. I agree that the younger generation doesn't seem to understand that you have to work your way to the top,but if you can find a way to keep the training interesting and not having that atitude of here we go again for the 100th time it might help. I have noticed that when I act excited about doing a drill or field exercise,the Rookies pick up on that and they become excited too. All I can say is give it a try,and see if that doesn't help.

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Permalink Reply by Triple J on August 14, 2011 at 11:44am

Like a few have said - It's up to us veterans to take the new guys and gals under our wing and show them the way. I remember when I first got into the Fire Service 30 years ago, 'rookies' were treated like dirt, belittled and discouraged from thinking about advancing. Never forgetting this, I treat all new people with respect (they might be the one at 2 AM who is pulling me out of a bad situation), foster an interest in their interests and encourage them to give thought of where they want to be in the Fire Service in another 5, 10, 15 or even 20 years. My proudest moments have been seeing someone who I mentored being promoted and passing along the knowledge I passed to them. My crew is young enough to be my children, but little of a generation gap exists. We have a very proficient and dedicated team!

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