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Jr's & Explorers: Why do you want to become a firefighter?
I'm not sure how many juniors/explorers we have on FFN. It seems that we only notice the obnoxious ones and they tend to portray all Jr's in a bad light.
So, this is a chance for you to step up and be noticed. Tell us a little about yourself and why you want to become a firefighter. There is no right or wrong answer and while I assume that everyone will give the standard "I want to help my community" answer, I urge you to go deeper than that.
Try to analyze why you REALLY want to become a firefighter, let us know your thoughts, emotions, reasonings, agenda's and whatnot. Tell us what being an Explorer means to you, what you do as an explorer, what you hope to learn, and where you see yourself in 5yrs and 10 yrs.
What is the most rewarding part of being a jr/explorer? What has been the most stressful or the hardest to deal with or overcome? Is it what you expected when you first started?
And lastly, what do you expect, want, need or desire from us (the senior members of FFN)? There is a heckuva lot of knowledge and experience represented here and most of us are willing and eager to help teach and mentor others. But, and here is the big BUT, in order for us to be willing and able to help there needs to be a certain commitment on the part of the junior/explorer.
* you must show respect
* you must thank those that help you
* you must THINK about your question first (your department should be your first source of information)
* you must write in PROPER ENGLISH. Your post and writing style will reflect your education, intelligence and professionalism and will help garner more help and support.
* you must NOT ARGUE. stating a disagreement is ok, but if you disagree you must provide your reasonings behind the disagreement and/or offer alternatives or suggestions
* you must be willing to PARTICIPATE - if all we see are posts about asking for pagers or what color is such and such than you will either be ignored, ridiculed or snapped at.
So, how many of you Explorers and Juniors are willing to take up the challenge and participate?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
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I agree
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Permalink Reply by Ben Rackl on
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My name is Ben I am seventeen years old. I have been a junior for about three years now. I want to become a firefighter because my dad has been in the fire service for 35 years and got me into it at a young age and I want to follow in his footsteps. I also want to become one because I take pride in helping others. Being an junior for is getting to learn things its hard because I am the only one in my department right now. In the future I hope to be ethier in or out of the Air Force and hopfully in a big city fire departmet. the most rewarding part is the the abilty it to do a job that others don't volly fire departments in my opinion is the most rewarding thing to be in. What i would like to see from the olders members on here and in the departmnts id to help us out not dog on us yeah it might have been a stupid question to you but maybe not to us. Be good role models. Help us out when you get a chance.
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Permalink Reply by Station10Capt106 on
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This is great, we have some of the Jr's opening up to us and talking to us. Now the real challenge begins - for both the Jr's and us ol' guys. We need to make sure we keep the dialog open both ways.
Jr's & Explorers, please participate in discussions. Let us know your thoughts and opinions. Ask us questions (but make sure they are well though out and written). If you are confused by something ask us politely to explain.
Seasoned Veterans, please take time to mentor and support our young future firefighters. Temper your replies with a little bit of reserve and mutual respect. Remember, they look up to us and for us to help provide them direct, motiviation and information. Disregard and ignore the frivilous stuff . . . remember this is a SOCIAL and PROFESSIONAL network. We don't have to like or agree with everything on here (heck, the most popular thread is the word association thread - not necessarily the most informative or professional but fun nonetheless).
So lets keep the momentum going. We seem to have some willing ears on both sides of the fence, lets meet in the middle and build a gateway to the future.
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Permalink Reply by Nathan Bryant on
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My name is Nathan Bryant, i am a junior firefighter at Northeast Cabarrus VFD, i have been at this department for going on 3 years. Firefighting as a whole is somthing that i have always known, my family starting from my great grandfather has been in the firefighting field. I was born on may 6, i was healthy enough to leave the hospital within the next 2 days. My grandparents had to escort my Mother home becasue my dad was on shift at the fire department. Lets just say i went to the fire department before I even set one foot in my own house. I know the typical stero-type of jr firefighters and i promise i am not like "them". I am here to learn from people that are more experienced than me. It really hits me in the heart when i here "adults" say that we are immature and dont want us around. I feel that it should be the opposite, one day we will be the ones on here taking care of the people that "yall" left us to take care of. In my life the only thing i have ever heard is firefighting, i strive and set high goals to make my self as knowledgeable as i can to keep me safe. I dont mean to be a pain with the "stuff" that i post back, i would just like the equal chance to learn as much as the "adults" on this site already know. Thank you for your time. Be safe
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Permalink Reply by Meagen Lee on
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My name is Meagen Lee i live i western NC and im a Jr on a vollunteer dept. this post really got me to think about why i joined the fire dept. like you said at first it was to help my community, but after being on for around four years my perspective on alot has changed. now i am still with the dept of course still to help people but its more than just that now by being a Jr member i have a huge extended family that goes beyond the dept walls, i am learning stuff most people would never dream of. i get respect from the kids i go to school with because i am doing something they dont think they could handle, yes it gets hard but it helps you grow up. i live in a small town and helping the people i grew up around is just , i realy cant put a word to it, it makes me feel like im more than just another know it all teenager.
some of the hardest moments in my Jr FF career are going to a call and knowing the people that are hurt or just lost their home. but another of the hard parts are school, not balancing school work and traing or anything, but going to school the day after a call that you went to and hearing the kids, and teachers, talking about what happened like they where there and usualy spreading more lies than truth about what happened i try and help them get the truth of the story but our juniors are told not to say anything before it comes out in the news paper and not to say anything more than whats in the paper. to respect to families privacy
but still being a junior is everything i thought it would be and more.
i guess what i want from the senior members on FFN is advice and stories of their experience. it helps to talk to different people about their experinces and thoughts. it alows me to better understand the different aspects of the fire service.
i understand your reasonings for the guide lines for the Jrs in being professional when talking to the senior members, it even gets on my nerves when all the Jrs do is whine and complain about stuff or ask dumb qestions and use bad grammer, guys use your schooling, it does make the rest of the Jrs look bad and i dont appeciate that because i pride myself on being mature and capable of handling hard siuations with a calm attitude like is needed on scenes. i think if your serious about the fire service then you need to be more mature then the other kids your age because we deal with stuff they dont.
i might not be joining a full time paid dept after collage but i plan on being on the vollunteer dept where ever i may live then. the future has no garantees you can plan as much as you want but everything can change in a matter of seconds.
on my dept we play around and have fun but we save it for after trainings and when the need to be serious is now we can be serious. the senior members are always looking after us but we have to be able to look after our selfs so we train seriously and save the goofing off for after trainings and meetings. by being serious and still having our moments of play we are a strong family that are there for each other.
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Permalink Reply by ricky on
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my name is rick and i was on an explorer post for 4 1/2 years now trying to get all the schooling so i can carry on and be the 3rd generation and 4th firefighter in my family.
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Permalink Reply by Forrest Post on
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My name is Forrest, Forrest Post, I'm 17 and I've been an Explorer for a little over 4 years now. I'm from Austinburg Ohio, near Cleveland.
I started out with the first experimental group of 5 of us explorers with our department back in 2006, and throughout the years, worked my way up to a level 2 explorer, and the vice president/Asst. Chief of the post. I can't say how much the fire department has changed me as a student, boyfriend, son, grandson, and person in general. Ever since I started the program at Geneva Fire, I have gained many amazing friendships, learned more than I ever could anywhere else about being a more respectful person, a better friend, a better listener AND teacher, more helpful person to anyone in need. I'm sure it sounds corny, but truly the fire department has changed me for the better in every way possible.
I've wanted to be a paramedic/firefighter since I was four years old, Every child wants to be a firefighter after seeing the big shiny red trucks and hearing the sirens for a week or two, but it stuck with me up until this very second.
It was never about wearing the gear, driving the trucks, or any of that egotistical stuff...for me it was always about being there for people during their worst day, and being able to help them in more than just a physical way. The sense of being able to help someone, rather it be giving directions or giving them mouth to mouth, has always put the a smile on my face, and made me feel good. I guess you could say I've decided to pursue this career because of this, and partly because I like the trucks and the gear. ;)
So far I've become a probie at the volunteer department a mile from my house, and have already taken many classes with the local full-time rescue department, and the full-time department who hosts the explorer program. I'll be taking my 240 at the Ohio Fire Academy in the next coulple months, and will shortly after take my EMT, then Paramedic, So in 5-10 years I can see myself moving down to the Cleveland, or Columbus area to find a paid department with my woman.
Forrest Post
Austinburg VFD
Geneva FD
Explorer Post 834
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Permalink Reply by hunter stiles on
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hi my name is hunter stiles im a firefighter in whitewhright texas.
i like to play paintball and go hunting and fishing. i like rock music, linkin park, nickelback, disturbed and many more but ill get to my story.
i am a explorer in whitewright. im 16 and i want to be a fire fighter to save lives, the first time i saved some ones life was when i was about 9 i think lol we were swimming and a girl started drowning so i jumped in and saved her. i am an eagle scout in troop 42 and fire fighting is just something that feels right. i also might go to the marine corps. i like the military especially the marine.
please be my friend if you read this and want to.
thanks for reading
firefighter Hunter Stiles
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Permalink Reply by James Hawk on
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Hi my name is James Hawk, I'm 17 years old and have been a firefighter with the Penrhyn Engine & Hose Co, Middle Granville Fire District, washington County, NY for 1 year as of today. I am a second generation firefighter. I guess the biggest factor in my decision to become a firefighter was growing up around the fire service. I've always liked to help people, and yeah the lights, sirens, and the ability to break stuff is pretty cool too. In my short time in my department i have completed NYS Firefighter 1 and taken and passed the National FF1 exam.
For me the most rewarding part about being a firefighter is seeing the smiles on a little kid's face when im filling a pool, or riding in a parade. Also the gratefullness of a victim in the early morning hours is rewarding, as is the knowledge that i just helped save a life. Probably the most stressful time was trying to balance FF1, school, and a soccer season at the same time. Another stressful time was my first structure fire. Working barn fire at 1 am, first dispatched as an unknown type fire, rolling in first due with the chief and myself on the engine... that was a bit of stress. but it was worth it. For me the hardest moment had to have been today. Laying a 16 year old brother to rest. My first firefighter funeral. i was fine until they paged him out for the last time. that was hard. its never easy to see a fellow firefighter die, but to have one die that was younger than me, that really put things into perspective.
I guess what i can ask from the senior firefighters on this site is to continue to educate myself and my fellow young firefighters. i know that i am always willing to learn more, and from what i have seen it appears that i am not alone.
Thank you all for your time and allowing me this opportunity to tell about myself.
FF James M. Hawk
Penrhyn Engine & Hose co.
Middle Granville Fire District
Middle Granville, Washington County, NY
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Permalink Reply by Jordan Bryce Wiser on
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I was in West Virgina and I had someone ask me this, I was at my first house fire and I had the lady come up to me and she said "you look like a young firefighter" i replied to her, "No ma'm I am just a Junior, but I am glad I can be here to help" She said thanks for everything we have done and now I look at what I do and I really want to be a firefighter because...
It seems like not many people care about me in the normal life so it feels really good to be able to care about other people.
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You are right, things get real uncool real fast when things go bad inside(not that i'd know) but I do know it's not all the cool fun riding in the fire truck when I saw my first DOA I think that day really told me, your not going to save every one but it's good to be there and try.
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Telesh on
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My name is Maryann, and I'm 14 years old. I am a first year explorer with the Jonesville volunteer fire department.
I want to be a firefighter because I want to be the one who will always be there to help people when they need it most. I want to help. I can't help but feel this is my place in the world, to protect and serve, to put others before myself. Being an explorer is a great way to learn and observe the older and more experienced members of the department. My post gives us the tools and opportunities we might not have found if not for the explorer post. I hope to learn everything that i can possibly learn when it comes to firefighting or ems. I hope to be a paid firefighter, only because I want to completely and fully devote myself to the fire service. The most rewarding thing about explorers is knowing so much more, and being there to be able to help others. The biggest challenge is not being able to help as much as I would like. My post is everything I ever could heave dreamed of, but now it just empowers me to learn more so I can be a full duty firefighter.
I would like for anything on how to improve myself so I can help others and not be the one holding everyone back. If anyone has any suggestions I will be on as much as I can.
Thank you for your help and support.
Maryann Telesh
Jonesville VFD
Explorer post #36
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