Filling the Probie's Pockets

New twist on 'what's in your pockets?'

One of our regular followers of the blog, an officer with the Prince George’s County Fire Department, was recently notified that he would be receiving a new probationary firefighter to his shift. His new firefighter will be coming in with the minimal, standard issue equipment and no previous experience.

So, if you were this officer, what would you put in the probie’s pockets?

Bill Carey is the daily news and blog manager for Elsevier Public Safety (FireRescue Magazine/Firefighter Nation, JEMS and LawOfficer sites.) Bill also manages the FireEMSBlogs.com network and is a former volunteer lieutenant with the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George's County, Maryland.

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Permalink Reply by J. D. Rinard on December 22, 2012 at 12:41pm

Warm nomex, that is why the extra gloves in my pockets. I don't do cold weather too well. Wet gloves on a cold day are a BAD enemy of mine.

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Permalink Reply by Don Catenacci on December 23, 2012 at 10:47am

I don't know if you are required to have a harness or belt or not. My captain at work is really up on this stuff and he said the new NFPA standard for belts like that call for them to be made out of a fire resistive material. I am on a 4 day break now but I can ask him for details when I go back to work after Christmas.

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Permalink Reply by Moose on December 24, 2012 at 8:07am

Thanks Don and have a safe and happy holiday!

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Permalink Reply by Chad DeSantis on May 27, 2013 at 12:01am

I'm still a probie volunteer, and I was really just guessing what I might need. I carry Linesmans pliers, a flip screwdriver, a handful of wire nuts, and about 4 feet of duct tape in a pouch I made out of old fire hose) the pouch is easy to leave in the truck if I have to go direct traffic for 2 hours). I also carry a cheap leatherman, rescue gloves, and fiskars cuts-through-anything shears. Been meaning to get some webbing, too. A couple guys are very big on carrying a pair of socks, too. #1, for showing up to a call in sandals, #2 as an emergency backup if your SCBA fails.

Filling the Probie's Pockets

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