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Being Less Experienced
As a new member i only know so much about firefighting .So when asked to complete a task on scene that i have no idea what I'm doing, My fear is that if i don't know how to do it, Or do it completely wrong i will look stupid and piss off my superiors. Will i be shunned upon, or Will everyone be cool with it and help me out to get it done right? I am an active responder so I've been through training, its just that we haven't had any real hands on calls since i received my pager.
I want to hear your guy's take on this. Advice etc.
Also anyone who felt the same way when they were new and Any officers who works with Newer Members.
I want to hear your guy's take on this. Advice etc.
Also anyone who felt the same way when they were new and Any officers who works with Newer Members.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rick K. on
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Just remember they were in the same spot as you are at one time !! Some know what to do and some don't ! If not sure about something just ask! There is nothing wrong with asking a question to make sure you understand it that way someone won't get hurt.Have your officer go over thing's you don't feel safe doing so when it comes up again youll feel better at doing them.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Erik, we all must start somewhere an all will at one time or another feel the way you have. How do we learn and become better if we dont make mistakes or learn to do things better. We all must ask questions, seek direction and improve ourselves in order to become better at what we do.
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Permalink Reply by Fire Chick on
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u will learn it takes time.. 99% of the time someone will help u... everyone was once where u r.. just ask for help if u dont know how to do it cause it is better so u dont get urself hurt or others...
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Permalink Reply by blair4630 on
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I would say the same as the others, ask as many questions as possible, be assertive about learning the job. Most should be more than willing to help, as they have all been there and have sought the advice and leadership of those before them. Just watch who you get to help you. Get the guy who is really interested in making you better and more knowledgable. Don't go for the guy who you ask for an answer and he gives you all his war stories to feel good about himself in front of the rookie. Those type of people do not make good mentors. And if you work in a volunteer department, I'll bet my next paycheck you have one or two of them...avoid them. But most of the people should be more than willing to help. Again, like someone else said, don't do something wrong because you were afraid to ask how to do it right.
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Permalink Reply by caleb on
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i think everybody feels that way but i heard someone say one time if you dont know how to do something they would rather you say i dont know how to do it and they can find you something you know how to do so that everything gets done and no one gets hurt he said he would rather set up training to teach people that know know how to do something than someone get hurt and i agree and if theres something your haveing touble with or cant to there will be someone to help you out
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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Every single man and woman has been there...Don't feel bad....BUT, this is a prime example of what you should be doing in your down time at the Firehouse...instead of sitting around Bullsh_tting go through every vehicle and learn where everything is and then make sure that you know how to use it....Then when a demand is noted you will be there and ready to act...the most important part of all this is that you recognize that you have a low comfort level....it will come...and I am sure there are people to help you...Just take it one step at a time....Hang in there Little Brother....Stay safe and always keep the Faith....Paul
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Permalink Reply by Melissa Eastwood on
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Just ask questions. On our department, we assign an experienced firefighter with the new members. The new members are to follow their "mentor" on fire scenes and the mentor is to talk about what we are doing and why we are doing. This is fairly a new program with our department but it seems to be working well.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Gillis on
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umm i was a junior firefighter/ explorer for 2 years. i learned alot of differnt things now that i am a full member i know alot more than the adverage younger/ probie does. i am still less experenced than other members but know a few things about equipment/ traing techneques that iv learned through other older senior member and pass them down to younger/ probies
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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Brother there is no such thing as a dumb question in our profession!!! If you dont know or your un sure ask! The outcome of doing something your not completly comfortable doing can be deadly! If your superior asks you to do something out of your hands let them know and they wont look down on you. Alwayse trane as much as you can. training is a big part of geting experiance and gaining knowlege. We all started where you are as a rookie!
TCSS,Brother
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Permalink Reply by R Griffin on
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First thing to think about is that no one is or will be perfect on every call, You can go back to the station and watch a call when you critique it and find ways that could have been easier,safer and faster but that is under controlled conditions. The line officers should know your limitations and they shouldn't expect you to perform beyond them. Set around and listen to the older guys tell the stories and you will see that you are no different than they were when they started and you will see that they laugh at the mistakes they did and you can fire back at them when they yell at your mistakes when they did the same ones in their day. You must have thick skin in the fire service and you will here yelling at the fire scenes but don't always assume just because a line officers orders are loud,it means he is yelling at you. You have it made on the scene because you are being told what the do and you have someone to turn to for the right directions.What about the officer in charge? who does he have to turn to? The goal is everyone goes home ... BE SAFE
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Permalink Reply by Holly on
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I've only been in the fire service for alittle over 2 years. I totally know how your feeling. I still worry about screwing something up. Don't be afraid to ask. Of course you might run into an a$$ or two but for the most part everybody remembers that there was a day that they didn't know it all either. Keeping practicing at tasks that you don't feel totally confident in doing.
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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Hi Eric
Everyone starts somewhere. Everyone feels "unsure" when they first get started. Part of the game. BUT....the officers or other superiors should know your level of training or experience from working with you in trainings at your hall. Therefore should not be sending you to do something that you're unsure of. If you HAVE had training in it, I suggest opening a book or watching the video at times when your dept. is on a slow time. If you remember your trainings and just have a case of stagefright (first time doing things is kinda like a test....some people doubt their abilities). Just trust in your trainings,...THAT is when you begin to learn,.....when you put your training to work. And trust in you. I can't, and would never even try, to count the number of questions I had to ask when I first started out. I've had questions that seemed to me like they would be the most rediculous/embarassing(sp?) questions and turned out to be important ones. Listen, I really do have something to say...really...but it's just coming out as rambling so I'll stop. Bottom line....Ask questions...MANY of them. READ lots. TRAIN wholeheartedly. And I would like to say that I have respect for you because you are not ashamed to say that you need help....instead of pretending you don't. which could result in a lot of bad. I wish you well.
PS....if your superiors get upset or laugh at you, then they are in the wrong profession. Sure..it's fun to tease the "new guy", but not when they ask questions about life saving equipment. (which is everything in the fire service).
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