Since this is a "probie" group I can ask this without any chiefs reading. When does the trust come in that you can do the job. I have been a firefighter for almost 4 years and i know I don't know everything and I know never will. Wheres the faith? I am good at what I do on adn off the fire scene and still feel like I am treated like a rookie. Does anyone else feel this way or is it just my group. I don't know, maybe it is just me, oh well I will get over it. PROBIE OUT.

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No....I don't think it's you or your outfit. There is something to keep in mind....your line officers have two priorities....serving the community (knocking down fires) and keeping your butt safe so that you can do the job and go home to your wife and those two beautiful kids of yours. If direction still makes you feel like a probie, what's the alternative? You can't possibly know it all on this job, every single scenario is different. I hope that I'm still getting rock-solid teaching, training and mentoring when I've been doing this for another ten years.

Look at it as a training opportunity...each time, every time. Some day you might be wearing that white hat and your perspective might change. You have a good bunch of guys up there in your department...I've met at least half of them and can call a few of them friends. If it's still really bothering you....grab your Chief and pull him aside and IN A NON-WHINING, NON-THREATENING MANNER (sometimes ya gotta point that out to men...) tell him what's on your mind. But be careful what you ask for, responsiblity has its price.
Hope that helps pal. See ya round the pool. Or the next parade.
:)
Not whinning, just wondering. Do I seem like a threatening person? I think my new chief would agree. I have no problem with responsibility, I enjoy it. That is why I ask for it, and look forward to more. And I think it may be my outfit. Remember I 'm a B. See you if you ever stop up.
No, if you re-read what I wrote, I wasn't actually implying that you were whining....but sometimes when we (meaning fire service people) get hepped up about something...it's kind of tough to dial it back and approach a conversation in a laid back way.

Case in point...I was at my installation banquet and having a perfectly nice convo w/ a senior officer....UNTIL....he brought up what he referred to as my "obsession" bordering on "pathological" about seatbelt usage...or in my department's case, lack thereof in most cases. ALL my calm and easygoing attitude got flushed down the crapper in less than three seconds. I was PISSED....but not because he was inferring that I was "psycho" about seatbelts, it was because he was missing the bigger picture, like unnecessary death and dismemberment.

I know your Chief, he's a good guy with a level head and he's open to honest discussion. So have that conversation with him and I think you'll be happier in the long run because you spoke up.
Well, I'm not a probie (unless you need more than 32 years to get beyond that), and I am a Chief, but I will respond anyway (isn't that just like a Chief!). Everyone has to prove themselves. It doesn't matter what the circumstances are, you are always proving yourself. One approach might be to talk to the Chief, and ask him how you are doing, and is there areas you can improve in. Do you tell them you are good at what you do? While it might be true, to some, it could sound like bragging. Others might hear you actually questioning your abilities when you are actually talking about them in a positive way. All of these are opinions based on a very small paragraph. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong. Heck, I am still a probie when it comes to some of this stuff.
Hey All, here's some food for thought. I had a wrestling coach in high school tell me that as long as he was pushing us to do better, or yelling at us for making a mistake, not to worry. That was his way of letting us know he saw room for improvement and still had faith in us that we could do better. It was when he stopped pushing and yelling, that we needed to be concerned, because that meant he had given up hope.
Depending on what job it is, we are all rookies. As I read through the posts on here I seen Chief Bradshaw had 32 years on the job. Congrats to you Chief. My point to this is when Chief, any chief for that matter, first pinned on that chief badge, he became what? A rookie all over again, by being in a new position. No offense Chief.
You may be good at what you do, Jeremy, but others may see ways you can improve. Be thankful they are willing to share with you. Stay safe and God bless you all.
None taken, Bill. Absolutely! I had to learn things all over again. Budget, discipline, interacting with municipal officials. I had to earn the trust of my Department and my peers as the Chief. I had to prove myself to them and to myself that I am capable of handling the job. For the record, I am starting my 5th year as Chief on May 1st.
first and foremost, allow me to introduce myself. i am marvin personette from ridge farm,illinois. i am a volunteer fireman,medical first responder, hazmat team member and severe weather spotter for my community and around the county. i have been involved in the medical and fire service going on 6 years now. regarding the trust issue. might i start by asking if you have several (seasoned) more experienced older guys on your department? if so, these guys have grown to trust one another over the years, and i stress years. if you have been on your department for 4 years now, then i would say that you are doing something right, and are obviously trusted. if you go home afterwards feeling like you have learned something and did the very best you could with what knowledge you do have, then that is an accomplishment. keep in mind also, that the trust you desire from these men (or) women on your department is entirely different from the trust you might graciously receive from others. when on scene, these men and women have to know that they can trust you with their lives, and the lives of others. hang in there. sounds to me as if you have what it takes. just polish up and smooth the edges some. take care and be safe.
Don't feel bad at all, I've been on for 8 years was one of the first on our dept to get ff1&2 and the haz mat pair, not to mention all the non cert training and I still get the same kind of treatment from time to time. Don't let it get you down, or discourage you from helping your community just as long as you can learn from any mistakes you have made and try to let the rest roll off your back.
i really agree with this...

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