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Permalink Reply by Ken Swain on August 17, 2009 at 5:03am

I agree with the advice, if you don't know how to do something, ask!! The officer in charge would rather have you ask rather than not do it or do it wrong. I'm a captain in our department, and that is my read on things. If you don't know something, I'll find someone who does to send with you, and then make arrangements to include that skill in our next training session.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Pease on February 23, 2010 at 12:54pm

its important to remember one thing regardless of thoughts and fears and that is the fact that no matter who you talk to there will always be the aspect of a new guy and the veterans. this balance has always been around and the most important notion of that is the veterans to pass the torch to the younger generation to continue the legacy. Although you are new it is one of those long ranged traditions of looking to the new guy to everything and know how to do it. and with this comes the feelings that you will not be able to pull it off but this is the way that you get the training and the passing of that torch begins. Everyone has to start somewhere and that is to start from nothing and over the period of time you are able to gain the respect of the membership and also the knowledge that will help you lead into the footsteps of those that surpassed before you. These fears will be wiped from your mind as you represent what you learn through your experience and also practice what you came to accomplish. Good luck to you being the new guy and like i said everyone started where you are and it is important to remember that it is only as hard as you want to make it and the work that you put in as well.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on February 23, 2010 at 1:49pm

that's why they call you probie....you aren't expected to fully up to speed yet....you have only started to crawl in the Fire Service...I don't have issues with probies...as long as they are trying AND LEARNING...learning is the key...take this time and learn...learn...learn.....You shouldn't have to have someone on your butt telling you to do this or do that in the station...if you get a few minutes or even come in a little early and go through every piece of apparatus and every piece of equipment until you see it in your sleep...that will show your motivation and your desire to learn.....don't always wait to be spoon fed....Stay safe...Keep the Faith....don't worry...won't be long before probies are coming to you and asking questions...

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on February 25, 2010 at 8:55am

You stated you were an "active responder so I've been through training". Hopefully that includes at least the very basic of 'Firefighter 1'. If so, and the course was presented properly, you should have no problems with carrying out the orders of your officers, provided they are within the the scope of your training.

It is up to your Officers to provide you the training needed to operate your departments equipment, and to perform the basic fireground tasks. Again, this all hinges on your previous training, and your ability to perform those duties within the scope of the training level you are at. You cannot be expected to perform work that you have not been trained to do, it' s that simple.

Experience comes with time, and the amount of oppurtunity you get to perform those tasks...in other words you have to have the work (fires) to get experience.

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