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Comment by Sarah on May 18, 2013 at 7:16pm

So I just signed up to take the written test for Harrisburg Bureau of Fire.

I have decided That this is my passion. A part of me died when I was taken away from riding those rigs.

I have started a training and study schedule for me. I will prepare myself physically and Mentally for this.

I will power forward. If I fail, that will only make me stronger for the second time around!

Comment by Tracey Lynn Morris on May 16, 2013 at 12:20am

Sara I don't know why people do such mean destructive things to each other but they do. I have been there more than once. The worst part was I took it because I needed my job. 4 years later when I left was the happiest time of my life. I have taken alot in 32 years I learned alot in the school of hard knocks and the boys know I am not playing no more. Glad you moved on .

Comment by Sarah on May 15, 2013 at 8:31pm

Heather, they voted me out, like poof, they pretty much gave me NO reason, just said,"Its not just one reason, it's many" And told me to take my things and go.

Comment by Sarah on May 15, 2013 at 8:15pm

I have moved on. Happily, even when one of the members sent lies and just pure hate towards me to my friends.

I not only got a load of firefighters asking me to join their company, a few chiefs have actually asked me to join their company, as a live-in.

Thank you Heather. But the issue was- just before I left, they were wondering what they could do to bring in more members. We barely filled the rigs, now with me gone, they can barely bring staff to stand-bys.

That's their problem now, not mine.

I actually began a new path in life, I'm going to work my way to become either a Police K9 officer or Game warden. I do plan to work with a dog, however. Whether it be  SAR dog, Narc dog, bomb dog, we'll just see how things fit together

Comment by Tracey Lynn Morris on May 13, 2013 at 1:58pm

From my experience of working in medicine you dont have to be old or over 50 to go to the nursing home. I know 40 and 30 year olds who are there from MVA or strokes.Some people are just healthier than others.

Comment by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on May 12, 2013 at 8:25pm

Sarah I am sorry to hear that your department has not yet taken the step to hire you on as a member in regular standing now that you have finally had your birthday... I know it can be hard when disappointments like this occur... I am always around if you want to talk... private message me... or email me, browhe@yahoo.com  and I can give you my cell # if you want to text or call.

I did want to have a brief discussion about the way in which hiring on volunteer fire departments occur. Many people believe that because it is a volunteer organization that it is is not a business and anyone that volunteers can automatically be part of the department. Some departments are run that way. However, wise departments pick there volunteer staff carefully and seek to integrate them at specific times to fill specific needs.

One fatal flaw that has been happening around the United States with volunteer fire departments is that older seasoned firefighters are retiring and so the department brings on a bunch of young rookies and then the ratio of rookies to seasoned veteran firefighters flips to the point of being dangerous sometimes. There can be too many rookies for the seasoned firefighters to manage all at once - too many to - keep them safe, train them, build their morale and unity, manage the politics and workload, as well as create cohesion and integrate the rookies into the family at a steady successful rate.

There is a high rate of new (especially young) firefighters that leave the department in less than 2 years (often reported as feeling neglected, left out, unappreciated, and not part of the team).

There is also a high rate of injury among young/new firefighters and even death. This puts a great deal of pressure on the seasoned firefighters when they are voting in new members. They must consider their own limitations in taking on new regular standing members.

Just like any job interview - show your continued diligence and commitment to be part of their department. Show up and keep learning and when the time is right they will hire you on as a regular volunteer team member. Do not give up hope!

Often departments delay voting new members in simply because they are overwhelmed with their current workload. I know that some departments only vote in once a year, just so that they can control training and systematically organize new members.

You are a strong member of their team. Never forget that! You know your value! You know your commitment! Continue to be consistent and show up and demonstrate your smart, courageous firefighter self - and every few months casually remind them that you are interested in being voted in as a regular member. I am sure soon you will be hired on in their volunteer company!!!

Rock On Sister!  You make me proud!!

Comment by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on May 12, 2013 at 8:04pm

Kyle congrats to you as well! Big accomplishment!! So happy to see you making such steady progress towards your goals!  I am very proud of you!!!   ROCK ON !!

Comment by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on May 12, 2013 at 8:01pm

Congrats to Firewriter who got married this weekend!!!!

Comment by Sarah on May 12, 2013 at 11:35am

Way to go Kyle! :D

Comment by Sarah on April 24, 2013 at 8:21pm

So my fire company didn't vote me in.

I'm not taking this well at all

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