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Permalink Reply by Robert jacobs on February 18, 2011 at 12:53pm

Here is ours ...Sunday-Change all bed linens,Monday-is everyones favorite Rig Day everything takin off cleaned,started,wiped down,oiled or greased,Tuesday-is kitchen day again everything takin out and cleaned and wiped down,scubed and sprayed clean and polished.Wed.-is window day all windows cleaned inside and out (no outside during winter months)TV's,computer screens cleaned along with window ledges(also it is pole day at our station that has a pole)Thurs.-lawn and garbage day,Friday-is floor day floors waxed and buffed scubbed and mopped.Saturday is clean out hose towers,scub out slop sinks and rig day on A/Chiefs an BAT./Chiefs rigs.Daily duties also include all bathrooms cleaned,beds made,carpets vacumed,rigs are still washed and checked as needed,stations are to be cleaned for next crew by the A.M. Good luck

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Permalink Reply by capcityff on February 18, 2011 at 2:58pm

You just have to figure out what works for your house. We don't really have much as far as department standards here except training from 1000-1200. Even that usually isn't done then. I don't remember that last time I was in house from 1000-1200 without a run so we, like most other companies here, try to fit a drill in when we can.

Each company usually has it's own duties. They vary, especially depending on whether it's a single or double house. Here's an average day for many:

0400-0700 is when we assume duty. Here in DC, many guys show up 1-2 hours early to beat some of the nation's worst traffic and get our things together. During this time we get our gear ready, check our supplies, wash the trucks, etc.

0700-0730 we have line-up. This is when the tour officially begins even though everyone assumes duty earlier. During line-up we discuss anything that needs to be talked about and any big fires or issues in the past three days that we were off.

0730-0830 Breakfast

0830-0900 Clean Up the house. Each riding position has a clean up duty. Then each day of the week there's a special weekly chore for the crew.(polish the poles, clean out the kitchen, etc)

0900-1200 is where we try to get some type of training in for maybe an hour or two. This is where the day really picks up with runs so it's hard to get it done all at once.

1200-1330 we try to go shopping for the rest of the day and eat lunch.

1330-1800 is usually random things. Officer might have work he needs to get done. The rest of the guys might work out, drill some more, etc.

1800-1900 Dinner

1900-2000 Clean up and finish anything else up that needs to be taken care of for the day.

Bunks are able to be occupied after 2000. Many guys will throw on gym shorts and relax at this time. Kick back and watch tv for a bit or something.

As you can see our day really isn't too structured and there isn't really much of a schedule. These are just broad times. We run about 15-20 runs every tour for our engine alone so it's hard to follow one. All of that time in the middle of the day is spent mostly on the street.

You will probably be able to keep more of a schedule since I'm guessing you are much slower if you were volunteer only. So you'll have to do what works. You might have more chores as well if you have a newer fire house. Landscaping, cutting grass, etc are all things we don't do being in the city. We actually have no grass to cut at a lot of our fire houses.

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Permalink Reply by Peter Martell on February 18, 2011 at 3:11pm

I would work in the volunteer staffs schedule as well. If the volunteers drill on Monday night, the FTers should have the training area, classroom or apparatus floor, ready for them. Tables/chairs, AV equipment, handout, equipment ready.
And clean up break down the next day.
I would also add fuel checks on Friday, so that the volunteers dont need to worry about low fuel during weekend calls.

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Permalink Reply by Captain William Frazer on February 18, 2011 at 10:18pm

Thanks, you guys are aweaome, and yes Chief Mike, that would be great to have his email. Mine is s31@southwickfire.net. I have checked with some locals here and will add all of your respnses to the mix and with your help come up with something good. I really appreciate your responses and more are certainly welcome.

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Permalink Reply by Captain William Frazer on February 18, 2011 at 11:22pm

Capcity, thanks ! We run about 2 to 6 calls a day for the ambulance, 1 to 3 calls a day fire. Most like anywhere are runs lasting less then half hour but some weeks many more, some much less. Our hospital is right down the street. I now have much more to go on with everyones suggestions. Pete thanks for the heads up re the drill nights, we drill vollys one night a week, and every other saturday, so help in that area as far as set up would be great. Thanks all

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