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Advice to the younger generation in proper tact (how to act around other people)
I am posting this for the younger generation whom is coming into the fire/ems service. When I started into this world It was more of a trial and error for me and I learned that its different every where you go. Some want the gung ho I can do it type of personallity. There are some out there who want the quiet sit back and watch until we let you in.
What is the best type of employee you can think of and what kind of tact would you like around you and describe in detail please. Everyone has personality conflicts and we all have to deal with it differently. How do you do it?
I have to add onto this because it doesnt say every thing I ment to say.
I was meaning twards the job as a whole from the time you get to the station and they teach you to do truck checks to the time when you leave the next morning. Doing station duties when should they open up and when should they shut up.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by METALHEAD on
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i remember starting as a young 18 yo kid(33 now) .i learned the hard way that you better shut up and listen. soon enough ,it will be your turn to show the elder statesman if you've been listening. everyone is eager when they are new. the trick for the elders is to harness that energy and get them to focus on learning and being ready, not to go guns right away. my opinion, ive been wrong before.
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Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
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I agree but then again I believe a person has to be eager to get in there and do the job.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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Some learn best by watching , some learn best by doing and for some a balance of the two is best. To me the most important aspect is that what ever way you learn it should be in a safe controled atmosphere not on the fire ground. A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SEASONING IS NECCESARY,before you appear on the fire ground when you will be pared with an experienced firefighter to enhance your learning with real life experience. That all applies to the 18 year old in my region who is now a PROBIE. As a jr. sorry but patience is your best virtue. Learn all you can in that safe invironment and it will shorten the time before you can prove yourself as a probie . In my experience you learn best when you listen not when you are busy formulating a question and ignoring what is being taught at that moment. Ask questions for clarification but until you have a bit of experience, most of what you are learning should be up to date and tried and true.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Death Valley Scotty (Walter Scott 1872-1954)
"I GOT FOUR THINGS TO LIVE BY: DON'T SAY NOTHING THAT WILL HURT ANYBODY. DON'T GIVE ADVICE -- NOBODY WILL TAKE IT ANYWAY. DON'T COMPLAIN. DON'T EXPLAIN."
I first saw these words on a gravestone at Death Valley Scotty's Castle, which is now a national park when I was 17 years old and taking a college geology field studies course. These were the words that Death Valley Scotty lived by. Now that I am going to retire from the fire service, I can look back on these words and agree 100% with his counsel.
So whether you adhere to this advise or not, you will look back at times in your life that you totally blew it, you will reflect back on these words and remind yourself to follow this advise the next time...
- No one likes a complainer, do you? people like people who can identify a problem and the solution.
- No one cares how you think something should be done until you have enough 'whiskers' to be taken seriously. this is an earned thing... it's called earning someone's respect... an it takes time, be patient.
- To use an expression that makes a lot of sense here... don't talk shit about someone... you know why, you always get burned eventually...
- Giving advise... having someone who is new tell someone's who's been around awhile how to do anything will never be appreciated... imagine that...
TCSS,
CBz
"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice..."
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I added to this it says more of what I ment to say.
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