Information

[JDub]

First I would like to say welcome to all the Juniors, Explorers, Probies and Rookies. Being a new firefighter and rook myself I know sometimes it can be hard to find information. Especially when you don't know where to go or who to ask.

Below is the link to the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center. That is the fire academy for Burlington County. Start off by browsing through that. You can learn about how the training at a fire academy works. Also links to two sites that are very much worth looking at.

www.co.burlington.nj.us/departments/public_safety/estc/index.htm

Firehouse Magazine is another great resource.
www.firehouse.com

Fire Engineering another great resource.
www.fireengineering.com


My only other recommendation is listen to everyone. You will learn something new from everyone here.

[JDub]

Another thing to look at is some of the county guidelines. I will see what I can find to post on here. Though you might not understand them at first, getting to know them along with the help of the more senior firefighter in your department will give you another tool in the toolbox as several people like to say.

Here is the Website to the Burlington County Chiefs Association. Here you can find some helpful information on those guidelines and on other important things we do county wide.

www.bcfirechiefs.org/

[WebBoss]

Another idea I can not stress enough is to make sure you know your first due like the back of your hand. You should never need a map book in your first due. Then learn the areas that surround you just as well.

They key to sucessful mitigation of an emregency is GETTING THERE SWIFTLY AND SAFELY!

ALSO... learn the differnt resources your department, and those that surround you have.

[Kramer]

also...know your bylaws/standard operating procedures or guidelines...you MUST know how your department does things. each is different.

even though you can't do much as a junior, make as many of the drills and calls as you can. i learned most of what i know from hanging around the CP as a gopher for my chiefs and around the truck for my drivers. know what should be done in certain situations. it will pay off later

[WebBoss]

I forgot to mention this one...

When I was a Live-In in Bladensburg, Maryland, the toughest question for any of the live-in's less then one year was this...

What's the address of the Firehouse?

The ironic thing is that we LIVED at the firehouse, and most of us didn't even know where we lived.

Do you know the proper address for your station? How about all the phone numbers? Do you know year your company was founded and why??

[JDub]

Another thing based on what Sean said, if your department was once multiple separate companies, you should know the reason why you combined into a multi or single station sole department for your town. Also though they sometimes can seem to be senile.....the older member are a plethora of information!!!

[thelurker]

On of the things that was impressed on me as a rookie was that if I guy asked for a tool, you better know what it is, all of it's nicknames, and use your head to see what he is doing to grab the right length. If you are not sure what length he needs, get one of each and bring them all. Better to bring him the right one the first time, than have to make multiple trips. Doing things like this will get you the rep of being a good probie.

[Kramer]

dean makes a good point...if you dont know something...ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!!

[JDub]

There is never a stupid question....I mean you may think or someone else may think you are stupid for asking them but you gotta realize if you don't ask you will either never know or learn the hard way. The guys including thelurker taught me when I first came in ask questions no matter how stupid you think they are.....

[hp4l]

Tips for the rookies:

Listen and learn. Take classes and get to know people. Don't just take a class for the cert, take the class to learn something. Learn from the other FF's and officers. Everyone was a rookie once. See who turned out good and follow their lead.

The internet offers a lot, especially this site. Check out the sites that JDub posted and check this site out. Keep an eye on the Make the Calls. Even if you don't want to comment, read them and learn from them.

This is the greatest thing in the world. Some people like it more then others. You have your guys that see it as a job and others as a hobby. You got guys that want to learn and move up and you have guys that want to do the bare minimum. You have your whackers that can draw a fire truck or tell you what color trucks a department in another county has, and there are the guys who don't know what's on their sister station's trucks.

Most important, please do not become a 2/20. You do not know everything and you never will. None of us ever will. Period.

[JDub]

hp4l said:

...or tell you what color trucks a department in another county has....

*Cough* *Cough*...HP4l......

[3105]

jdub said:

Also though they sometimes can seem to be senile.....the older member are a plethora of information!!!

Ahem <clearing throat noise>....exactly WHAT are you trying to say, Joshua? Had to go and trot out the ole "S" word, didn't you?

[ENG27SQ]

^^ LOL!!

[JDub]

3105 said:

jdub said:

Also though they sometimes can seem to be senile.....the older member are a plethora of information!!!

Ahem <clearing throat noise>....exactly WHAT are you trying to say, Joshua? Had to go and trot out the ole "S" word, didn't you?

I didn't mention names.....in any department....I was just trying to make a subtle point that everyone knows something sir....

[ENG27SQ]

its a shame the *whip* sound file doesnt work outside of the chat room Josh hahahaha. 05 would've used that without a doubt...hahaha

[ENG27SQ]

I'm still a 'young gun', proud to be as well. My advice, act like a sponge...as stupid as it sounds. There's never a time when you should pass up knowledge about this line of work. You'll be amazed at what you could learn one day that you might need to know two months from now...never stop asking questions.

If the situation threatens your health/other personnel, OPEN YOUR MOUTH! The only thing you can do is protect yourself and prevent the rest of us if you see something that could injure/fatality injure us. Dont be afraid, there's no such thing as a stupid question. However, there is such a thing as being a stupid firefighter...damn the NTS!!!

[1900]

I will add a few words to this. First we always say we dont have the fires that we did back in the day so guys arent getting the experience. Which may or may not be true. However, if you look back we didnt have the training back then that is offered tous today...Not to mention not having the interent which is a huge part of us knowing what we know now a days...

Another thing to remember is most of what we do and know is by someone else F'ing it up prior to us...

Now I remember being that Junior or Probie and not having the various types of training that are available today. We also didnt have guys teaching us or taking us under their wing like guys are willing to do today...it was up to you to learn the job and figure it out on your own...Remember we have a job to do we are not here to just ride the BRT and look pretty...So know your job...Ultimately it is up to YOU to know your job, you have many tools to learn it and figure it out...USE THEM!

Like the other guys mentioned knowing what tools are on your rig, where they are located, what they are called and nicknames, when they may be needed and where they may be needed is a huge asset...While you are not allowed to "go in" remember there is a ton of work to do on the outside...CHASE KINKS, know your job at the plug, put tools that may be needed at the point of entry, throw ladders, set up lighting, assist the chauffer, get bottles ready to change guys out...

Theres a line in the movies Backdraft where Brian says "I always said I wanted to be a fireman, I should of said I wanted to be a good fireman!" Its your choice!

Here are a couple of VERY GOOD web sites to check out, also read the posts by VKnott (RngrVnc33) under Tips for the rooks...they are well written guides...

firefighterclosecalls.com/

tinhelmet.com/Site/tinhelmet.html

www.vententersearch.com/

[3105]

Excellent advice, Chief....especially the "chasing kinks" suggestion, something that always gets overlooked.

More than anything else, I gauge a rookie by their attitude more than accumulated knowledge or skill. Time has a way of providing the experience and knowledge needed, but that's worthless if you have a "Here I am, make me work" demeanor. For God's sake, if you don't have enough genuine interest and desire to get involved in an activity without being told specifically what needs to be done, exactly WHY are you here? I have Juniors and probies who stand there with blank expressions on their faces while there's stuff to be done, refusing or afraid to show any initative whatsoever.

THINK...LEARN....DO...TEACH... that's the correct order and it's up to YOU to make that happen!

[pcs200]

I run an explorers post, the one thing we try to teach them is to get involved. no matter if it's showing up for drills or just to hang out with everyone. there is no such thing as stupid question,we are all family, Little dysfunctional maybe, a family, none the less listen to every one, old and yes even the younger generation come up with some good outside the box ideas. so no matter how frustrating it gets hang in there, it will all be worth it in the end!

[1710]

I'll sum it up in a few words

A GOOD FIREFIGHTER KNOWS HOW

A BETTER FIREFIGHTER KNOW WHY