Joining the volunteer fire department

any tips on training

 

And good lord do they stick..

 

Lol... no shit right?

 

whats the name they gave you?

 

Start with the basics. Not sure how you guys work down in WV, but learn how to hit a hydrant.... if you have hydrants..?

Learn where everything is on the truck, learn how much hose and what type... Pick a compartment, learn it top to bottom, move on to the next one.

I'm not even sure what your basic academy is. If you guys have ProBoard, get your Fire Fighter 1.

I have the blessing of working for the local community college who runs our Counties Emergency Service Training Center. So Training is my job, Hopefully come this time next year I will have my PA State Suppression Instructor.

"Little Lou" Bitch and a half being the shortest person in my first department, at least now, the shortest in the department is this kid whose last name is Ball... aka, Balls/ Ballsy

I didn't get a nickname until my 2nd year in the department. I sat in a corner and listened to the old heads most of the time. I learned a lot listening to them. Little Lou came about because of Rescue Me and " Lou" Once I moved to a new town and joined a new department, Stitch or a combination of my first initial and last name. "Lellis"

 

Any kind of cardio. Lifting weights is good, but you want stamina mainly.

You can always get creative. Do hose drags, swing a sledge at a tire, rope climbs, carry heavy or awkward things up stairs

Several of the guys here do CrossFit or a variation of it and claim good results.

Take whatever classes they offer. Our department tries to do two to three classes a year depending on how the scheduling falls.

Learn the roads. Learn how to get anywhere from anywhere.

Learn the truck. Learn all the equipment on the truck.

Ask the guys that have been there a while a million questions.

 

I been looking into start crossfit

 

Both of these. You will be remembered by what you have done in your first few years. Firemen are like elephants when comes to remembering thing you wish were forgotten.
Know your equipment and know your job but don't be afraid to speak up if you see something that might be wrong. I'm done in 6 months. Very excited for the next phase of life.
Have fun, and remember you didn't create the problem you were called to solve.

 

Keep the coffee fresh. Never stop moving, constantly clean, train, or study the trucks. Keep your cell phone in your pocket.

 

How old are you?

 

23

 

I've been working part-time paid at a combination dept for the past 6 years. I just finished my captain's class and have been working as an acting captain for the past 5 months. While several have pointed out that you should keep you mouth shut, I will say that if you see something that just doesn't look right, you need to speak up. Safety on the call is everyone's responsibility. Follow the instructions / orders given unless they are immoral, unlawful, or suicidal. Even then, bring up your concerns with a modicum of tact and you will do fine. Our dept works a lot of WUI calls so if you want something to study start with the standing orders and watch out situations for wildland firefighting. http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/safety/10_18/10_18.html

 

This is huge. When I started at 19, the guys on there days off would get together for parties and BBQ's and such. I never went due to the fact that everybody would be drinking (mostly what they did) but me. After about 6 months went by my Engineer came up to and asked why I was not attending the day off functions. I told him I could not drink and didn't want to be a party pooper. He explained to me at that point "How are we going to get to know you and vice versa?" Per say build a trust and mutual respect between each other. The next event was at his house and told me I could spend the night if I drank to much. I didn't drink to much but I spent the night anyway. I guess you could say "it was all down hill from there"

 

Maltese cross = we found the water hammer

 

Thanks that is a big help we have a lot of woods here

 

Don't be the guy who decks out his ride with emergency lights and goes around flashing them every chance he gets. (It'll land you in jail)

Also, whenever a class is offered: sign up for it no matter what. You can get your emt certs and much more that way. Put your nose in the books just as much as you do everything else. It'll pay off greatly later.

Also, take advantage of first responder discounts. Glock, S&W, and many other Firearm manufacturers have special programs for FRs. Crazy good deals

 

Start running 3 miles a day every other day. Inbetween days do 150 push-ups, 150 sit-ups, 150 jump squats, 120 dips, 120 leg lifts, and 50 pull-ups. Days off from training are for pussys.

Train to get your 1.5 mile run sub 10 minutes. Be able to maintain a sub 7.5 minute mile on runs greater than 6 miles.

Shoot for 10 pull-ups, 80 push-ups, and 80 sit-ups sub 2 minutes (not all at the same time) without breaking form.

Don't turn into the lard ass mustache that doesn't get more than 20' from the truck. I take it you're volunteering for structure so I doubt you'll get that far from the truck in your first two years.

 

Andy Fredericks Squad 18 was the one who coined this phrase.