Been here about 4+ yrs paid, 2+ yrs volunteer. Love it, can't beat being able to retire at 40 either! As the other guys have said, you can never learn enough. It seems as though that's all I do sometimes. I am now in the fire prevention office here at my department and work the normal 40 hrs. I cameoff the 24 on 48 off schedule for this position. I still get to ride out on the truck company when we do make something. It's always something new and different and I will probably (Lord willing) do anything but fire service.
some rules to live by in the fire service
1) You don't know everything
2) be confident, not arrogant
3) follow your orders
4) form friendships, not enemies
5) safety is not only on the fire scene but at the station, training, etc.
6) stay in good health, heart attacks our killing our guys for no good reason
7) work towards advancment in not only rank, but education
8) There's more than riding in backwards in the big yellow trucks (I know, ours our yellow, and if we leave them in the sun they will ripen, I have already heard that one...)
9) Love it or leave it, some people aren't cut out, it sounds like you are

Just some things I have picked up.

Nice to know a lot of firefighters are on here

 

I am 16 and i am a volunteer Cadet Firefighter i love what i do and i am learning a lot. Is going to the airforce to be a firefighter a good idea. help me out.

 

A friend of mine who was also a volunteer when I was joined the Air Force as a firefighter. He stayed in for 8 years and loved it. The only reason he left was he got married and had been stationed in Germany for several years and wanted to come home. He came back and got a job as a paid firefighter and has applied for a chief's position in another town.

 

Well stated FireMarshal3311. firefighter840, if I were 30 yrs. younger and looking to join the military, that's the way I'd go. A fellow brother, now a retired asst. chief, was a firefighter in the Airforce. He loved it. Once it gets in your blood you won't want to do anything else. Best career there is IMO.

 

Another rule to live by is the buddy system. Don't ever go off by yourself, stay with your 'buddy'and make certain the incident commander knows what you are doing. That way you don't accidentilly get left behind. Go in together, come out together. And remember, a charged hose line will save your life. It can hold off a flashover and give you time to escape and you can follow the line back outside when smoke reduces visibility to zero.

 

I'm a FF. Have been for about 2 years. I'm an EMT also. Just joined the forums today.

 

Volunteer fire fighter for 4 years and 1.5 years crash fire rescue at airport. Put about 120 hours in the last 3 months and was prmoted to fire chief in jan. Fun job but it could pay a little bit, I have about $500 tied in wildland ff equipment

Looking for light bar for my ranger 4x4 to go with the siren and dash light. in colorado you can get firefighter lic. plates it seems to keep the police and state patrol form making unnessery stops.

 

I am just new into firefighting, I have been taking fire classes and emt classes at my local college and loving every minute of it. I can't wait to become a paid firefighter. All of your guys posts are so encourageing. Take it easy.

 

Keep up the good work guys. I am a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and love my career but would have loved to pursue a job with the Boston FD

 

Currently an EMT and halfway thru the Fire Academy cant wait to get Hired on. Were climbing the 100 ft aerial on sat.

 

Histeach, what type of law enforcement? Or are you not allowed to say?

 

Full-Time Firefighter and EMT for the Air Force.

 

You will love it!!! Our town has to buy an aerial before 2006 in order to keep our class 5 insurance rating. We will probably go with a 75' as its a smaller, less expensive truck and is tall enough for our needs. We're testing an E-one 75' demo now and its too much fun.

 

Dropped off the app in January, waiting to get on this month...After i dropped the app off, there was a house fire, elped with that some, and got asked to join another station, but i know i will stay with the one i am trying to get on now, already been pegged to engineer our rigs and start my driving / engineer training the day im official...not much into medical, but interested ( too much?) in haz-mat ops and technical rescue....swift water as well.....been around it since i was 14 or so...something ive always wanted to do, something im just now ready for..anyone who ever comes to our county is in good hands.

www.clearcreekfire.com

---JOHN

 

Volunteer for 5 years (still doin the deed) Paid for 3 and work part time for our city ambulance as an EMT-B. Start Paramedic school in Sept. Words of advice for ya, im still a rookie myself so here is my 10 cents. Keep a calm and cool head, remember and watch out for your fellow brothers, train-train-train-train-train, always remember your training it will always be there when you really need it, your partner in that seat next to you is your life line, and for those trying to get hired, keep your heads up and dont panic, if you want it bad enough and work hard enough, you can work in any City you want! So what Departments does everyone work for? What size population do you serve? How many of you are truckies(oh yeah!)? My department just did an SCBA eval to purchase new packs and I would like your input (MSA or SCOTT)? Anyone where Leathers? How many Union guys here? It great talking with all of you and I look forward to more discussions.....................FDNY-343-NEVER FORGET OUR FALLEN BROTHERS.