I submitted an application the beginning of last month to join a local volunteer FD. I find out Wednesday if I am accepted. I dont have any experience, but its something I have always wanted to do....not until recently did I find the resources to do so....I am really looking forward to joining and hope it all goes thru. I been working out at the gym twice a week for about a month now....reading alot of things on here (very helpful by the way) Whats some good tips hence being completely new to the FF scene..... Thank you ahead of time.
For the first little while, keep your ears open and your mouth shut.
And don't get discouraged if your superiors raise their voice to you, they aren't trying to speak down to you, they are only trying to help make the job easier.
Permalink Reply by Eric on November 30, 2008 at 5:18pm
Firefighter_15 is spot on with what he is saying. It wasn't too long ago that I was going through the "rookie, proby, new guy" phase and I remember getting alot of what Firefighter_15 is talking about. Remember also, when you first get in, take in everything at your firehouse. One of the most useful things when you truly are new is to know where everything is on each piece of apparatus. Before you get some classes and experience, alot of what you'll be doing is bringing these items to other firefighters that are doing the "grunt work". Don't let this discourage you either though, it isn't as exciting at first when everyone else is putting wet stuff on red stuff, performing searches and ventilating and you're simply grabbing tools for them to do it with. On the other hand, you have to realize that you are providing a key service for those guys and gals. Get to know the other members of your department. As you will realize, this truly is a family. Take everything that you do in this service as a learning experience and you will see yourself becoming better at what you do, no matter how big or small these things are. I hope this helps a little and if I think of anything else, I'll post again.
Permalink Reply by Ray on December 4, 2008 at 9:38pm
Well, I went to the meeting and I was accepted in to the dept. I got my pager that night and I get my turnouts tomorrow. I am very honored to be a part of the dept!
Listen to the older guys ,never hurry on scene.. Train ,train.. know your equipment.. Be kind to the other members of the team,your team... glad to see you made it..