Im a young Firefighter (21 years old). I wanted to bring this discussion up to thank all of the older more experienced Officers and Firefighters out there. I love to learn from all the older guys at my department and I think thats the way it should be. I know alot of these younger guys are so full of themselves that they dont care what other people have to say and that really bothers me. The day I start talking about I know all there is to know about fighting fire I hope one of my officers puts his fist in my mouth. If there are any younger guys out there that feel the same way let me know. As for the Senior Firefighters out there thank you all for what you do teaching us younger Firefighters everything you know. It really is appreciated more than you know.
Well for those who think that they know all there is to know about firefighting, they need to go ahead and hang their hats because they are going to get themselves or someone else hurt. I heard from many experienced officers and long time firefighters that everyday they learn something new. I learn something new in every call and after almost 4 years I still eager on keep on learning. My hat off to you and the young guys that actually take the advice and experiences from long time firefighters.
I'm going into my 14th year as a Firefighter and I can tell you that I learned volumes of valuable information as a Probie by keeping my mouth shut and my ears open! Stay safe!
Good attitude 17 (although fist in the mouth might get someone in trouble... lol)!! :) I haven't been on the floor for very long either, just a couple of years and I am older than you. I still know, two ears, one mouth!! More young guys should know that they are there to learn. I have seen some students come through, some are fantastic. They want to learn and they want to show that they are picking the stuff up, but without being cocky. There are others who don't even seem to care, which makes me wonder why they would spend so much money on a program (it's costly up here) and a year of their life to act like an ass.
Keep your head down rookie, keep learning. Chiefs and Capts retiring and leaving the job will admit they still don't know it all... knowing there is always something to learn is the best attitude!
Another thing you can learn from the other guys is history! It's great to get to know your department and where it came from as well as attending all meetings (mostly for Union guys). As the younger/newer group coming into the department it's important to know where the others have been so you can decide where to go in the future. Be involved, it's your department! :)
I agree 100% about the history part of the department I love finding out things about our department and yeah your right it is costly down here too. I dont understand why they waste their time and money either if they dont want to act right. Our department is pretty good with the new guys wanting to learn mostly because our Chief and Station Captain dont put up with any of that cockyness and thinking they know everything. Some have tried but they didnt get very far. LOL. Thanks for the comment Spanner
Stay Safe Brother
I have been in the fire service as a volunteer for over 12 years and an industrial firefighter for the last 7. To this day, I am the quiet one in the firehouse. I am a firm believer that I will never know all there is to know and I am determined to continue my education until the very day that I retire. Tactics, procedures, tools, they all change over time. No matter how long you have served, remember that there is something to learn on every call.
FD 17
I RESPECT THE WAY YOU THINK.I WAS A ROOKIE ONCE AND MY CHIEF TOOK ME UNDER HIS WING AND HEADED ME IN THE DIRECTION I NEEDED TO GO AND TODAY,18 YEARS LATER, I AM THE TRAINING OFFICER FOR MY DEPARTMENT AND ENJOY TEACHING THE NEW GUYS.KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK
CAPTAIN DEREK HOLLOWAY
TRAINING OFFICER
I agree thank you for everything that you teach but at the same time I would like to remind some of the Senior firefighters that you too were once a young firefighter that didn't know everything be patient and don't snap at us for asking questions that might seem stupid to you but to us aren't. If we know the answer we wouldn't be bugging you with the question.
I am only a junior right now but i have learned alot off of our seniour guys i have tryed to attach myself to them so that someday i can be as good as they are.