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I've been a volunteer for about 9 months now and not to sound cocky but im very active have spent over 650 hours there since January, I;m fairly trusted by all the full time staff, and have a decent idea as to what im doing. I start next week in what is basically my dream job. It;s my hometown department with 4 stations and they're pretty busy. I know a handful of the guys since both departments are same county a couple of the guys work both places. I guess what I'm getting at is how do i go into my new paid department and show that I'm not just some ass hole part timer and prove myself to them? and how do i treat the guys i already know at the new department? is there anything i can do or start back at square one? any advice is gonna be great
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by DAVID GONZALEZ on
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Remember that they have more knowledge and it should be kept that way. No senior ff likes to be told by a probie, but you can always give advice to them something you learned thru the academy that can help. Take extra classes too.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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First off don't be cocky at ALL. (sorry to use some of your words) you have 9 months exp. Second go to work, show up early, get your PPE and equipment checked, clean up after others, do the chores, (yeah I know it can stink but junior guys do the work) make sure your know your job, like your tools, trucks and equipment, stay busy, stay busy, stay busy, nobody likes a lazy new guy, learn as much as you can, if they don't want to train, go out into the bays and go through the trucks for familiarization on your own, do all daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance thorough, treat the house and equipment as you paid for it, and treat the job as it is........ like a dream job because not everyone gets the chance to be paid. Lastly, keep your mouth shut, you can ask good questions, learn as much as you can but do not go into the new department and expect to change or make that department better by your suggestions as a probie. Respect the seniority, follow the chain of command, and wait your turn (pay your dues in time served) before you go lighting the world on fire with change.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on
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Well said as usual FETC. Adding to those sentiments, as the probie,expect to be treated as such ( I am sure you have watched the good ole fire shows) and be ready (and even willing) to take the brunt of practical jokes etc graciously and not whine or run off in a huff if you think someone is picking on you... they might be! but suck it up! THEN you might start to earn more respect. (which is pretty much everything in the fire biz.. without it.. you really are and have nothing. One more thing, what happens in the fire hall.. stays in the fire hall...and should NEVER end up being posted online.. IE facebook etc.. Nothing good will ever come from doing that!
Finally.. CONGRATULATIONS! That is awesome news, and I remember the feeling just being accepted on the department was like.
Keep us posted how you are doing..and by all means feel free to pick our brains. Networking is vital and can be very helpful when done properly!
Stay Safe and have fun
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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Good advice. That's very important as far as being accepted by the guys. You also want to be accepted by your officers, so maintain a positive attitude, stay focused, train every chance you get because your life depends on it (never stop learning), and remember why you got into the fire service in the first place --- to help your fellow citizens in their time of need. Best of luck! Stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by capcityff on
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Is this a full time department?
Either way, you're a rookie. People may like you at your old place but you still haven't seen much yet. Nine months is nothing. 650 hours only got me about halfway through my fire academy. Including the 9 month fire academy we have now(8 hours/day, 5 days/week) it's an 18 month probation now. So don't get it in your head that you're anything but a rookie. Do what the others said. Show up and shut up. In my fire house, you still wouldn't even be able to glance at the tv. Listen to everything they say and do nothing but study. They won't care about what happened at your last department. It's now time to learn THEIR way to do things. If you want to prove yourself like you said, then do your job and do it well.
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Permalink Reply by Brennan on
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Its simple.
1. Keep your head down.
2. Work hard.
3. Listen, don't blab at the dinner table. Listen to everyone.
Your actions will speak for you. Prove to them with your actions on the fire ground and the station that your not some cocky punk. Keep that up for a few years and you'll be respected.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Well Said FETC! I concur wholeheartedly.
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Permalink Reply by Don Catenacci on
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Listen 10 times more than you speak.
First up to do something, last to sit down.
Look for things to do, wash the trucks, clean the tools, train on your own (Tie knots, practice donning and doffing your PPE and SCBA).
Never miss an opportunity to shut up.
When you are new no one cares where you came from, all they care about is can you do the job. Show them you can with actions and not a big mouth that gets you in trouble.
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