The Stuff You Wish Someone Told You When You Were A Rookie Firefighter

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July 26, 2014 24 Comments

Contributing article from our brothers over at Fir Na Tine Training/DDTK.

Some of these items you will find on multiple other lists out there from Hook and Irons to the LHM article posted a few months back.

I love to train new firefighters and recruits. They are usually like sponges. Over the years, the one thing they all ask me is ” What should I expect or know when I am a rookie firefighter?”. As I sat there with a good friend, John, I started developing this list. I have read and experienced every one of these rules. I figured the best thing to do is put them in writing and then ask my Fire Family what they thought and what they wanted to add. So here goes.

When in doubt, take a halligan with you.
Don’t be afraid to fail.
White hairs on a seasoned guy are a badge of honor don’t mistake them for age watch listen and learn what they don’t teach in school.
Knowing how to do something is knowledge. Knowing why we do it is wisdom.
Fire is always changing and you cannot be stationary in your attitude to something that is always changing.
Don’t complain about how many calls you had last night. No one cares, especially the people that work 9 to 5 jobs while you’re napping
One fire department sticker on your car is all you need.
Failure teaches more than first try success ever can…if we let it.
If you learn to cook at least two great meals, fire department life will be a little easier.
Maintain a healthy fear of this job.
There is a tool for every job, use the right tool, let the tool do the work
Always show up to work at least a half-hour early. There is no better gift you can give to the guy or gal you’re relieving.
Train, Train, Train. Never Stop Training.
“Remember panic is contagious. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like hell underneath.” -Lt. John Murphy, Osceola County Fire Rescue, Kissimmee, FL
Never take the seat that faces the television when sitting at the dinner table.
You shouldn’t worry when the guys make fun of you. You should worry when they don’t say anything at all.
The phone and the doorbell are ALWAYS for you.
Don’t criticize a call or fire unless you were there.
Remember that one of the most difficult and dangerous things to do on a fire scene is backing a truck up.
NEVER DATE A COWORKER. NO EXCEPTIONS.
ALWAYS eat dinner with your crew. Your diet is not as important as your family.
Attend a fire service funeral. It will change how you see and do the job and will not let a fallen brothers sacrifice be in vain.
Never make a scene and never disrespect your brother. #PTB
If you don’t have a clue what you’re doing…say so.
Seek out the busiest units and the best officers. #DoWork #TrainOn #DDTK
Never turn your back on fire.
When your officer tells you to take a nap, it’s not a joke or a trick. He wants you to be worth a damn at 3 AM.
Be patient with the ER staff. They can’t help that they chose such a miserable career.
Bunk rooms are for sleeping. Turn the TV off and get off your phone.
Don’t tell war stories to non-firefighters. No one thinks its as exciting as you do.
Attend conferences. Chances are that there other departments that do things better than yours. Learn from them.
Don’t be so eager to get off probation. The time you spend riding backwards will be the most fun you have in your career.
Never respond to criticism in an e-mail.
Have pride in your department, but more for your station. #ItsAPrideThing
Make friends with the driver/operator. You won’t get anywhere without him.
Most people tend to criticize those things they don’t understand. Understand it before you criticize it.
Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
Wherever you go in this great family of the fire service, never forget where you came from and those who helped you get there.
Beware of those who don’t think they need to train!
Don’t gloat. Don’t brag. The crew will do it for you.
Take pictures often.
Offer to help before you are asked.
The one true measure of a successful shift is returning home safely. #EGH – Everyone Goes Home
Don’t talk about the other department you worked for and how you did things there. No one cares.
Participate in a good practical joke.
Carry two wedges, a screwdriver, wire cutters and 20′ of webbing.
If your dept. allows it, invest in a good leather helmet. #LeatherheadMafia
Introduce yourself. Don’t be offended when you’re not remembered. You’re not memorable…yet.
Always have $20 in your wallet. No one wants to take you to the ATM.
Learn your territory. Know it like the back of your hand.
Never ask the guys to lie to your spouse when he or she calls the station.
Just because you’re excited, doesn’t mean I’m deaf…. Stop yelling!
Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they cannot get it wrong.
There are 3 types of people : those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what just happened. Which are you?
He who knows HOW to do a job will always have a job, but he that knows WHY they do a job will eventually be the other man’s boss.
If you find yourself wondering where your company officer is, you can rest assured that they are wondering where the hell you are!
Share your ideas and observations. You never know it could save someone’s life.
One of the best ways to learn is to teach–even if its teaching what you just learned.
Learn how to swim. You don’t want to be the guy that can’t go near the water.
The uniform doesn’t make you a firefighter it just makes you an employee. Your crew will let you know if you’re a firefighter.
Protect the Brotherhood!
Drink coffee.
Don’t skimp on the ice cream and the coffee better be the good stuff. (Dunkin Donuts/ Starbucks, etc.)
If you don’t have kids, Christmas is not as important to you. You should not be asking for the day off.
The name on your helmet represents who you work for. The name on your coat represents who raised you. Do them both justice.
Surround yourself with smart people
When you are out in public, never criticize your own department. You can make up for lost time on your next shift.
Treat your body well. You’ll be glad you did.
Courage is not the lack of fear, it is acting in spite of it. -Mark Twain
Be the guy that everyone has to say, ”Take a break. You’re making us look bad.”
This symbol owes you nothing but if you dedicate yourself to it, it will give you everything
You don’t clean a seasoned cast iron skillet with soap and water.
Shaving your arms is not cool. It’s a good way to contract MRSA.
When things go wrong, don’t go with them. -Elvis Presley
Never trust the hand lights on the truck. Buy your own.
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. -Aesop
Never call out sick on a drill day.
It is a good idea to carry a multi-tool.
If you can’t make an educated guess of a building’s performance under fire you are putting yourself in danger
The common sense approach is usually the best way.
If you have to tell someone you’re the king.. you’re probably not the king.
Follow directions!
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Adapt and overcome! Make it work!
Don’t wear your fire department t-shirt to the gym. It’s never the girl with Juicy labeled across her butt that needs CPR!
Your customers are the community. Treat them as you treat your family. You can affect the life of one in a positive way.
I would rather have a chubby guy that can #DoWork than Mr. August who has to eat every 2 hours and quits after 1 bottle.
Someone took the time to name every tool on the truck. Learn their names, what they are used for, and where they go.
Don’t let your mood affect your manners. -Lt. Walter Everson, Osceola County Fire Rescue, Kissimmee, FL
When working at another firehouse, remember you are a guest at their house. Follow their rules. Be respectful of others.
Always use spell check and proofread before sending up the chain. You don’t want a screen shot with a red arrow across it.
When driving, assume everyone is blind and cant see the massive truck with lights coming at them, because they don’t.
Big fire = Big water.
A good leader is a good follower and an even better listener.
When in zero visibility ALWAYS remember to pick a wall and stick to it, and ALWAYS count windows and doors you pass on the way in. Stay Low and Go.
The Scene is never SAFE.
Don’t run, don’t walk; move with a purpose. My Brother John Murphy says this all the time.
Your annual and comp leave is a luxury. Your sick leave is there for when you are sick or injured. Do not abuse them.
Accepting dangers is part of the job. At times you will need to put the safety of the citizens and brother firefighters above yours.
Most firehouses have seating assignments for dinner. Before you sit down, ask whose chair it is and the same for bed assignments.
DO YOUR OWN SIZE UP. You may see something someone else might not. Try to know what your getting into before you commit.
Refer back to rules 1-100 FREQUENTLY!!