Been a volunteer for 15 years now . The job is becoming much more than "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff". Our emphasis is now on prevention and education, and i think its working, as our call volume continues to decline.
Yesterday, two of us went to a grade 2 class and did a prsesentation and demonstration. I got to put on the full gear and scba to show what a firefighter looks and sounds like during a search...imagine a child encountering a masked creature that sounds like Darth Vader and is trying to take him/her from thier bedroom at night!

 

Excellent post. I agree that the 'Learn not to burn' programs are very important. I think that sometimes its easier to get kids to understand fire safety than adults! We also let them see the firefighter in full turnouts and scba for the same reason you stated.

 

Hey, Dan:
I work for the Department of Justice

 

mikemc, We have had an E-One 75' quint since 98. Great truck. It is the first response on structure fires from headquarters. Make sure you go with the tandem axial. Better braking and it can carry the weight. If you go with the single axial it's really close to the weight limit after it's loaded with hose & equipment.

 

I've only been with this dept. for 3 years so I doubt I'll have much if any say in the spec. process. Too bad because I like any kind of truck and I think it would be fun. Turn radius and wheelbase are factors I'm sure we will consider being a somewhat small town.

 

We had an E-One Quint,it was in the shop more than it was in service,we finally got rid of it and purchased another tiller truck.

 

little rowe boat, what kind of problems were you having? Ours has been trouble free. Also Sutphen makes a real nice 75' tower. We have the E-One 75' Quint and a 1991 Sutphen 95' tower. Both have been real good trucks.

 

Graduated H.S. and went straight to the acadamy in 1989. Worked fire for several years. Had an on the job error in judgement.....left the fire service with a career ending injury. Went to working EMS for several more years. Now working a desk job. Public Service 15 years.

 

That quint had so many probs from day one.The rear duals would turn slightly to allow for easier manuevering and turning,there was a lock out for them and you never knew if it was functioning or not,it got to be dangerous at times,the pump had probs,the 85' aerial had hydraulic probs etc...etc..

 

I have been volunteering since last september, but have only been able to do anything since january.

I am still waiting on my NREMT written final results. then I will be an EMT-B. I start EMT-P school this next fall. (hopefully)

 

I joined the fire service in Jan. 1993. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

Bluehawk

 

IAFF Local 413 here. Been in the fire service since 1984. FF3/PM/Haz-Mat tech-A. Medium city dept a little under 20,000 calls/year 11 stations.
never forget 343

 

Volunteer for two years. Full time for eleven years as a firefighter/paramedic, tech. rescue team member. Best job in the world! Some advice for you pre-service guys/gals or probies. When you are new on the job, the senior guys will be watching you closely. You will get a reputation that will stick with you through your career, It is up to you whether it will be good or bad. So keep busy at the fire station. Be ambitious and energetic. Show us you really want this job. Learn everything you can from the "old guys", they've experienced the stuff you read about in your fire academy books. Take all the classes and training that you can get into. Most important of all, is for all of us to make it home to our families in the morning. And lastly, HAVE FUN, this job is like none other. This is the same advice I give to the newbies on my dept. So, I hope this will be a little helpful to ya. Good Luck!


343 We Will Never Forget!

 

Been in paid fire service since 1979. It's a good life, and super rewarding career. I prefer to remain humble and shrug off excessive kudo's. Don't even have a specialty license plate. My reward comes from within my heart for a noble occupation, not from the glory of peers.
You guys and gals just entering in, good luck, stay safe, and have fun!!!

 

Volunteer for 15 years, Paid Paramedic for 26 years. The 2 were concurrent for several years.