You know Vic, I think that the split into ''truck' and 'engine' task, with people seemingly specialising with one or the other, might be one of the biggest differences between the North American way of firefighting, and the way we do things here, the UK and perhaps much of the rest of the world? Not knowing how all the FD's over there operate (could anyone?) means that it's only a thought and I expect smaller FD's may be far more flexible, but many posters seem to show a very definite split between the two fields. Just a thought.
Truck work is were men or woman are made. Going in with out a hose line sometimes to search for someone. It thats a different type of person to truck work. How cant you not like it lol. You get to tear stuff up with out getting in trouble like you did when you was young lol
Well then, it's official. Baltimore and Philly are terrible fire departments as well. You guys don't come close to his suburban department. All of those lives that you've saved while dealing with budget cuts mean nothing because you have big guys on the truck.
Guess we have been doing it wrong for a 150 plus years, actually make me a lil sad. Guess I will have to start reading some IFSTA, Brunacini, and Chief Goldfeder books.
I am a Truck Officer. I prefer Truck work and I try to be very good at it. I have much respect for those who operate an Engine but we have to understand that it is a coordinated effort with each member playing his role in sync with the rest of the team to achieve a common goal.
I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the Hose humpers, nozzle heads, wagon weenies, etc...hahaha. Just joking. I fully respect a good Engine crew and without them, the mission falls apart totally, but a good Truck crew are worth their weight in gold.
I agree totally. The best place to be in a good rippin' fire is not on the nozzle. It's the floor above the fire ahead of the hoseline searching for life or 3 stories above them up on the roof.