Had some stuff bugging me most of the month. I've taken several classes and been ready to take the IFSAC tests on them. The only problem is I need to be given the practical on them first. The 3 Training Officers who are certified to do practicals are too busy with the classes that are going on right now, which is understandable. Our state fire academy has instructors who can do these but they are about 2hrs away from me and will only knock out 1 practical per day, which I guess is understandable as well if it is their policy then that's the rule. So I've been waiting a couple weeks and missed several test dates because of the practicals that I'm lacking. This has been bugging me.

What's been irrating me though, is the fact that ever since I became a training officer (the youngest on the department) the other 3 training officers have absolutely no time to even give me any advice or help on getting more certifications. It's like all of a sudden they have this idea that I think I'm better than them. I'm the rookie comparred to them, they've got tons more experience and education from other classes. Why is that as soon as I went from regular ole joe educated blow fireman to joe blow better-educated fireman that I'm no longer worthy of their time. It'd be nice if I could evalute my own practicals but then hey how would anyone know if they were done properly.

Just ranting, I'd appreciate someone to set me straight and maybe ease my whining. I'm working on my Fire Science degree (about 16hrs left) Investigator, Inspector, and Officer 2 certs. After these are completed I'm going to try and knock out my emt-b. I never miss a moment to attend a class unless it won't fit into my schedule. Even if its a class I've been to before, you always learn something new. I came into this department being forewarned that people would try to sway me from furthering myself. And I told my chief over and over again that I'm aggressive and ambitious and I won't be swayed, although there are times when I feel like what's the point and get a bit discouraged, especially like now when I'm calling all around from dept to dept to find someone to knock out some practicals.

Anyway I'm through with that. Looks like I won't be getting steam burned I blew it all off. Much obliged for having this forum space to let some tension go.

-Jon