The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
How can I as a rookie motivate my crew to train/pt more
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by FyreCapt on
-
Rookie,
The hardest part of probation may be getting your crew to PT or train with you. Its a sad and unfortunate fact. Complacency is very common in the fire service.
Try some good old competition with your crew...FF's are always game for competition and our delicate ego's dont like to lose during a challenge, specially to a rookie! lol
Make an obstacle course based on Firefighting tasks outback of the station. Ask one of the "senior" guys if they could come out and time you. Hopefully at least one will come out with you. If they do, complete the course then ask for "advice" from the senior FF. Better yet, have them show a "better" technique they may know. If the senior FF starts giving you hell (which most will) because you were slow or didnt do something to their liking, then respectfully challenge to a the course... Make it a simple bet... looser buys ice cream, soda, or after work drinks.
Good luck Kid
-
Permalink Reply by Elisabeth Hayward Mute on
-
I've noticed this as well, but as one of the very few females and a probie still in the academy, I don't dare make waves.
I am a triathlete and enjoy all the elements around that & adding work outs more specific to fire fighting- I hope that modeling will encourage some to adopt healthier routines.
Have fun!!
-
-
No need to make waves. Just simple little "hints" we work just fine....
-
-
Aye aye Sir, you've got it :)
-
Permalink Reply by John Pleasant on
-
Jose & Elisabeth,
Do not feel that what you describe at your stations is exclusive. The most common thing that I have seen in nine different states is that veterans need some rookie enthusiasm and rookies need some of the veterans patience. Burn out is a huge problem. Station assignments are literally a family so for the first year especially, do more listening than talking. However, a bad situation that can happen is when old-timers are not confident in their skills anymore and don't want that to be revealed in training. It is dangerous, but should be recognized and dealt with by your officers instead of you. There is no magic formula for being the best you can be. Trust is the greatest issue, anything that can be done to build it should be. You're correct in wanting to catch problems before they happen but sometimes it just takes time/runs to build the relationship of trust that is needed.
An old Chief told me that if you don't think your officers are doing it right then work hard and become the officer so you can do it right yourself. Now I understand why they did some of the things they did.
Thank you for your willingness to be a part of a profession that most cannot do.
-
Permalink Reply by Rommie Duckworth on
-
Jose,
It can be a challenge when you seem to be the most motivated individual in your group, but there are certainly methods to try in regards to training.
A great way to get senior firefighters and officers better involved in training is to ask what THEY think or what THEY know about the subject at hand. See if you can find me a firefighter that's reluctant to give you their opinion about a subject or how they think something should be done. That's not to say that you can get everybody together at 10am for training on a different subject every day, but if you as senior guys to show you, its certainly a start. And remember, the hardest part is getting started.
The PT can be tougher. You don't want to seem like you're just nagging guys to work out with you. One idea that may get you traction is to set a common goal. You might suggest or post a sign up for a specific event, like a firefighter charity stair climb or HeroRush run. We've had good experiences motivating older firefighters to contribute to charity by way of physical activity and although it may be the case, there's no firefighter in the world who wants people to SEE that he/she is more out of shape than other brother on the crew.
There may be no easy fix for this crew, but remember, you've just come from the academy (yes, 7 months is "just) and you're still in the full-on TRAINING/PT mode. That's great, and hopefully you're presence and persistance will help motivate your crew. If not, there's always other crews out there that share your enthusiasm so don't get discouraged.
Lt. Rom Duckworth, LP
-
Permalink Reply by FNG on
-
Thank you all for your comments and ideas. This is my second career in my life. I retired out of the Army as a Infantry senior Non Commission Officer in the . I loved what I did and the influence I had on my Soldiers professional and personal life. I led by example and I think that's the only way to lead when you are asking someone to risk their life for the mission at hand. I understand that I'm a rookie and for that I'm assumed to know nothing. My opinion is not valued and my 15 years as a leader of soldiers, training/leading warriors into battle and back home has nothing to do with the fire service. I understand that someday I will be a critical part of the team where my opinion matters once more. I knew this when I decided to be a firefighter, don't get me wrong, I love my job and will not trade it for anything else. It's just a tough transition that I need to find a balance without pissing off too many people in the process.
-
Permalink Reply by Nick Hawks on
-
maybe try basketball in airpacks... thats a workout, cardio, and a challenge. breath your air to work on consumption and to make it interesting. have fun!
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
