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Beginning the battle against the beast in 28 hours
Well, tomorrow at 0930hrs, I begin the journey of a fire academy student. I'm certain that tomorrow will be full of lots of administrative things, paperwork, orientation...you know: "This is my rifle, this is my gun" kind of stuff. Im told that classes each Saturday will last most of the day and they hope to begin issuing gear and equipment from the very beginning and assigning us a locker out in the bay.
I guess I have a couple of questions:
1. In general, how far into the process does the learning and practicing of practical skills begin? In EMT school, it was done throughout and then test in a practical exam at the end of the course to get signed off to take the license exam.
2. What might I expect in these first few weeks? (I wish class were more than once a week but I need to eat and they arent paying me for class ;) )
3. What can be done to take on the role of an ambitious student rather than a "newb?" I want to be seen as a good student and very professional in this endeavor because that is how I intend to take it. But to those of you who are teachers/instructors, what is your hope for a new student? What do you think makes a good FF1 student? I don't want to be the guy with my hand in the air all the time, but I also don't want to feel like I have to dumb down my existing professional and volunteer experience, training and education.
Any input that any teacher, new or veteran firefighter, Chief or officer could off would be much appreciated.
That being said, I am looking forward to becoming a good, Irish firefighter and I want to thank all of you on this forum so far for your guidance and help as I begin this exciting process.
God bless the Fire Service!
I guess I have a couple of questions:
1. In general, how far into the process does the learning and practicing of practical skills begin? In EMT school, it was done throughout and then test in a practical exam at the end of the course to get signed off to take the license exam.
2. What might I expect in these first few weeks? (I wish class were more than once a week but I need to eat and they arent paying me for class ;) )
3. What can be done to take on the role of an ambitious student rather than a "newb?" I want to be seen as a good student and very professional in this endeavor because that is how I intend to take it. But to those of you who are teachers/instructors, what is your hope for a new student? What do you think makes a good FF1 student? I don't want to be the guy with my hand in the air all the time, but I also don't want to feel like I have to dumb down my existing professional and volunteer experience, training and education.
Any input that any teacher, new or veteran firefighter, Chief or officer could off would be much appreciated.
That being said, I am looking forward to becoming a good, Irish firefighter and I want to thank all of you on this forum so far for your guidance and help as I begin this exciting process.
God bless the Fire Service!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John on
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Well, as I do not have my FF1 yet, I can't give you any advise about what the class will be like. I can however, tell you that you should always remember that you are there to learn, and that the only dumb question is an unasked question. If you have a question about somthing, then more than likley, someone else, or a lot of someone elses have the same question, so just ask it. Other, than that, GOOD LUCK, I WISH YOU THE BEST.
-Firefighter John Hill, Warner FD, Warner N.H., 80-R34
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Permalink Reply by ILDisasterEMT on
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Well John-
I got through my first class. Having studied so much about NIMS/ICS for the disaster team I am on, it was a nice easy class to start off with as it was mostly a refresher and since 100,200 and 700 were self study online, it was nice to hear a veteran instructor talk about it in real time and actually give scenarios as to how it would be used. The department is small by some standards - about 60 volunteers and we are going through the MABAS 8 Reginal Recruit Academy at the same time as we are fulfilling the core requirements if we should want to get on with this department, which is what I am going to do. Its a first responder department, so of the 60 firefighters, we only have about 12 EMT-Bs and the rest are MFRs. So I got a little shock today that depending on the call we run, as one of thse EMT-Bs, I could be medically in charge of the call since here in IL, and EMS call must be answered by at least an EMT-B. Thats a weird thing to contemplate and it all comes down to the roll of the dice as to who hears the tones drop and gets to the post first and then if there are two of us Basics, who has more time as a Basic or with the department, whichever is greater. Anyway, it was nice to start putting it all in perspective as stuff that is actually used and not just some bizarre theory. Also, you will be ahead of alot of your classmates in understanding the basic NIMS/ICS materials if you take ICS 100, 200 and 700 through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute online. Sorry I dont have the link handy.
Anyway, thank you for wishing me the best and I not only listened to the senior FFs and officers, I felt a reverence for how long they have been doing this and the fact that some of them have never earned a dime as a FF, but they continue on to always learn more, get better and make the department a better and more capable part of helping our community.
So thanks for your well wishes, good luck to you, stay safe and keep your helmet on.
Steven K., North Park FD, Machesney Park, IL---Firefighter trainee and NREMT-B
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