6 Expectations For ALL New Firefighters

[@RumpelStumper]

I´m a Career Firefighter for 1 year now. And i´ve heard all those stories about the new guy has to clean the dishes, the toilets, the apperatus, the floor etc. Well i´m glad i work for a department with a different philosophy. Everybody works togther, even the captain helps cleaning the station. One does the toilets, the other the floor and so on. It strengthens the team spirit and on calls you work all together so you also work together and help each other at the station.

[@engine2truck6]

That is one way to handle it. And it certainly has helped you be part of a great team! I worked at a few different Battalions during my 25 year career and I found that the Officers I respected the most would be WILLING if need be, but the crew would be EMBARRASSED if they allowed their officer to be cleaning anything, or even making his bunk.

[@tonyzoots6889]

What kinda place has the officer doing committee work. Show some respect for the stripes. Be the low man and step up so others don't have to.

[@RumpelStumper]

@@tonyzoots6889 it's not me demanding the officers to do this work. Our officers do it by their own will. It's their way of leadership. Don't expect someone to do work you are not willing to do by your self. It has nothing to do with disrespecting our officers. We have very high respect for our officers because of this way of leadership. A leader that is not afraid of getting his hands dirty is always a highly respected leader because they didn't forget where they came from. That's just the way it is handled in our department.

[@ofcv1238]

Our volunteer fire department mainly has Officers doing EVERYTHING with little support manpower for ANYTHING!

[@CobisTaba]

This should apply to most environments, I don't expect my leaders to do all the menial stuff, but I expect them 'not to be above it either'. It applies to a corporate environments too. Our management does not expect others to cater all their needs. If they are busy, people *will* get them coffee or get them lunch, or.. but our chairwoman still makes her own lunch most days. It's that style of leadership I try to show myself and admire in others.

[@christianmarsden1825]

Just passed my fire 1 exam! On to fire 2 and in 7 weeks or so I’ll be on the floor! Your videos have helped me tremendously! Thank you.

[@JrBarthelemy]

Nice! I just passed Fire 1 and I’m on to Fire 2 🤓

[@field_of_dreams_11_]

I'm not in a Firefighter Crew, But, I really want to be a Firefighter. Thank you Sir, this video is really really useful to me. Keep making more video. God bless you🙏

[@jackbootsp]

Time is very valuable, and you seem to take a lot of your own time preparing for and executing these videos to help out a bunch of strangers interested in joining the fire service who would otherwise have a harder time finding out how to go through with the process from start to finish. I barely came across your channel 2 weeks ago and have already binge watched about 85% of your videos. You sir are the epitome of what these meddling kids nowadays call an “OG”. I’m sure I speak for all your subscribers when I say we are all very grateful and appreciative of everything you do. Thank you for enlightening the community with all this very valuable advice and information. Keep it up good sir!

[@Navs126]

Shift start is at 08:00 hours with my department. Common courtesy is to be ready to relieve the off-going FF at 07:30 hours.

[@ChaoticGamer5967]

Ever since I got a job I have always told my mom that I wanna go to work an hour early. I had no experience then and had no skills in career choice classes at school but always had a feeling that I needed to do it. When I brang it up to one of my managers she looked at me with a smile and nodded yes. I'll always remember her face lol

[@hankgs]

All those are excellent points- Carry all these standards through out your career, not just your probationary period...

[@DougWalton21]

I think having a student mentality - not just as a rookie, but in life in general - will help you keep an open mind to a great number of things that you may miss otherwise

[@pacxpodcast6456]

Hey man. Your channel has grown so much! It's freaking awesome to see someone like yourself extending a hand to those curious in public service. I owe a little piece of where I am today to thus channel. Happy to see this channel where it is. Keep it up!

[@mike_pertz]

Thank you! Also, I wish I would have seen this last week when you posted it...i was in the Pacific Northwest!

[@pacxpodcast6456]

@@mike_pertz Whether it was work or play I hope you enjoyed your time in the PNW!

[@kgbiggie9871]

Volunteer here, I played high school sports and honestly that is the best reference I’ve ever heard because I thought of it myself that way. I’m 24, I have about 2 to 2 1/2 years of interior experience so I’m still young fresh guy and I still have a lot to learn. But honestly going to calls, I put myself into the same mentality I did on the bus going to football games in high school because back then football to me was life or death it was my everything it was not just a sport or a game. Once I got out of high school and became more involved in the fire service I learned this is not a hobby this is not for fun this is life or death this is a lifestyle.

[@whole_malk1460]

I’ve been on the floor for only a few weeks and all of these things are so true. I give myself plenty of time in the mornings to get there first and collect my bearings to make sure I’m prepared for my shift.

[@bradmoe316]

One I would add is IF you aren’t the one cooking, be in the kitchen helping. Whether dicing veggies, setting plates, or cleaning dishes or the flat top. My guys looked at that real hard when I started, so now if they cook I’m in their pocket doing anything I can to help 👍

[@thesarkive7746]

I love you. I drove to a station in my town with a resume because I had no idea where to start. Huge guy covered in tats came out to meet me and was super kind. Sent me an email on all the steps to start off here. Yours videos are vital in maintaining my interest.

[@mistadobalinamistabobdobal2818]

Thank you for this, I’m known for being serious and don’t take jokes and entertainment lightly from other people and it’s a eye opener for me to be mentally prepared and remind myself to just go with the flow with others regardless of their awkward intentions lol 😂

[@cmotiontcs]

i'm starting my fire fighter academy july 6 just want to give you a big thanks with the interview process knowing about the suit and proper mannerism went along way

[@Rodrigo592-]

I just started mine @ Texas Fire Academy, if you need any tips lmk. Good luck brother

[@elijahfloyd6251]

OMG CONGRATS man if no one told you yet, I'm proud of you.

[@elijahfloyd6251]

@@Rodrigo592- congrats man

[@cmotiontcs]

@@Rodrigo592- appreciate that congrats

[@cmotiontcs]

@@elijahfloyd6251 thanks 🙏🏽

[@michaelgillispie8974]

When I was a rookie with my first and only department, we had folders with all of these sheets in them. Your first year of employment you went to four different training stations. At each station you got a new folder. On these pages in this folder you had topics such as, hose lines, ladders, driving, learning district, etc. Lets use driving as an example. Under this heading you had little lines like backing up, easy stops, truck maintenance, driving to emergency calls. Your driver and yourself would get together once or twice a group of five shifts and check off your folder. At the end of a three month time period your folder had to be checked off and presented to your house captain who would then do your performance review. Then you would go to your next station, if you passed. Anytime within that first year you could be fired for ANY reason, no questions asked! So… that is how we did it where I was taught and trained. Best job I ever had!!!! Would still be there at that on department if I had not had DDD and had to have five back surgeries!

[@danieldohanich77]

Yes! Glad this was addressed!

[@occams_chainsaw]

I work admin at my local FD, we call those reviews 'performance appraisals.'

[@mschrage618]

It’s interesting to see the difference between FD and LE. 🤔 Hazing/pranks aren’t really a thing for us, I always assumed because we all have guns 😅

[@donovanwright1975]

I’m 16. I really want to be a firefighter/paramedic once I graduate, and I know the basics of what I need to do. But what are the biggest things that I can do now while I’m still in high school to help me get the job after I graduate

[@luisxgonzalez]

Know the EMT license will be a prerequisite for paramedic school. Research the prerequisites for the EMT and paramedic program and take advantage of them through dual enrollment if offered at your high school. I’d volunteer with a fire department as an EMT so you can get the firefighting exposure and experience before going to paramedic school, who knows they may even sponsor you so you won’t have to pay out of pocket! Once you’re nearing the end of your paramedic schooling, knowing what each department in your area has to offer, and staying up on your fitness, you should have no problem landing the job you want in a department you think is the right fit for you! It’s a process depending on the paramedic program you choose but worth it in the long run. I took a similar route and was a firefighter/paramedic 3 years after graduating high school. There was definitely a life experience gap I had to overcome starting out but we all have start from somewhere. We are so fortunate to have a channel like this to guide people in your position, before it was all face to face recruiting and who you knew. I’m now a flight paramedic and in the hiring process for one of the largest departments in the North America just a state over. Good luck, hope it helps!

[@GuapoAJ]

Im 19 currently in my last week of emt school, ive heard that you can start getting your EMT at 16 so you should proabbly do that and get that out of the way. Fire volunterring can sometimes be competietive and if you have the EMT certs it will be easier for you. Fire takes about 6months- 1 year so id say start with that next and then, depending on where you live, the station your will might literally pay YOU to go to paramedic school. There always looking for paramedics, and alot are starting to pay for EMTs to get their Paramedic.

[@jaredsterkenburg9589]

Just recently started watching your videos, which is darn helpful & completely appreciate your passion towards helping us newer people getting into firefighting. I am 27 years old. I have been on a volunteer department in my town for 5 months now, and absolutely love it. Starting to pursue a fulltime career in firefighting! My dilemma is do I stick with my volunteer department till I get all my tickets/experience (where they will pay for everything after 1 year probation period) or bite the bullet & go straight to fire academy (fast track & out of my pocket). Do you have any advice on this or opinion? Having a hard time making this decision in my head. Thank you!

[@xMACHOxMANx]

Another great video. Thank you sir.

[@Spenny.B-From-the_613]

Thank you plenty for this one 🙌

[@Matt-cj9lm]

Typically get there an hour early, clean and swap gear off the truck

[@odinsarrow1343]

Hey thank you very much for this content. I'll be sharing it with some buds. Question: Does your past come back to haunt you in the interview process? As in do they look into injuries, arrests, past drug use, traumas, etc.? Thank you 🔥

[@jacklesmithda3rd502]

Haha the thing about having thick skin brought memories I was 20 on my first ride and asked where the bathroom was one of firefighters said “the women’s bahroom is over their” mind you I’m a male but instead of getting mad I. Laughed it off and then proceeded to do my duty’s

[@Rocky-be7gy]

Thank you for your content, keep it up be safe

[@BRUTUStheRUDEST]

PPR - Personal Performance Review

[@engine2truck6]

Great, great video brother!

[@jerryhughes5380]

We start at 08:00. If you dont come in 2 hours early people start to talk.

[@nicholaslennox8066]

I would watch your podcast

[@tommymostar8512]

I live in Ohio aswell. What department do you work at?

[@tommymostar8512]

Nevermind I googled it

[@FMCH6444]

Oh, so FF's are the same now as when I started back in 89. Every generation thinks the new generation is lazy etc

[@lamarwhitely6098]

Some advice for volunteer firefighter am in process becoming volunteer firefighter

[@prepsqaud6179]

Don't be stupid....study learn as much as you can.....also stay off your phone

[@lamarwhitely6098]

@@prepsqaud6179 appreciate it man

[@Bertuslouw76]

People arriving late for work is a big turn off for me. It shows me that this person doesn’t respect you, doesn’t really want to be part of the team and is not positively motivated for the job.

[@bobbyremmen8686]

So I live in Nebraska and I’m wanting to be a firefighter but not in this state in New Jersey so when I turn 18 would you recommend I do fire academy etc in Nebraska or should I do everything from New Jersey and does that information transfer on your record or what evrr

[@connormcdonnell1721]

I’m a career firefighter in Nebraska join a volunteer to have them pay for your certs or go to MCC and pay for them yourself. See if these Certs transfer to NJ.

[@noahmocettini9809]

Mike as you probably know an off duty LA County Firefighter went into a station killed an on duty one and then killed himself. I feel like you need to do a video of potential signs to look for that a coworker might be dangerous and when to report it before something like that happens again. And maybe coworkers in general. In San Jose a VTA worker walked in and killed 8 coworkers before killing himself. Sadly I knew one of them

[@AttackLineConsultingLLC]

2 people who can’t figure out why they were fired dislike it..lol

[@jonathanfenoff1409]

I want to join the New York City fire department but I live in Vermont, would I be able to do this or do I have to live in New York City to apply there

[@mattf2146]

Yes, you have to live nearby your station. Vermont is like 5 hours away from NYC. Anybody at your local FD live in New York City?

[@jonathanfenoff1409]

@@mattf2146 im asking if i have to live in nyc when i apply or if i will have to move there before i apply, i know i have the live near the place i work

[@mattf2146]

@@jonathanfenoff1409 I would suggest you love in or nearby NYC. FDNY is a tough department to get into, for various reasons. Your application will be put at the bottom of the considerations pile if they see you live 5 hours away. Why not work volunteer in Vermont for a few years to get some experience under your belt? Heck, there are a ton of volunteer departments in VT that would love you volunteering.

[@jonathanfenoff1409]

@@mattf2146 i had planed on volunteering but if they wouldn't hire me because live in Vermont i would have to be living in nyc as soon as i can because they only hire people every 5 years so i cant miss an opportunity to apply

[@FMCH6444]

If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time you're late.

[@Katiekat3044]

My husband has been a firefighter for about 4 months now and although they're tough on him, he knows it's because they like him and theyre trying to test if he actually wants to stick around

[@NataliaLuchowska-d7p]

Oby pani maz nie zgubil satydfakcji do zawodu a zespol zeby nie przegial.

[@lorrangee9083]

In my department, if you weren’t 30-45 minutes early you were late.

[@htfcm]

lol I don't get paid an extra to be working 30 to 45 minutes early. You can miss me with that nonsense.

[@bryeanarose5753]

@@htfcm it's typically so you can leave 30-45mins earlier

[@htfcm]

@@bryeanarose5753 Yeah right 😂

[@kaisalis7895]

@@htfcm It's common courtesy to relieve the off going shift and make sure everything is ready BEFORE you start yours. People you work with at stations are like family, you don't expect money for treating your family the right way

[@htfcm]

@@kaisalis7895 Family? Uhh NO! They are my co workers. If that needs to happen I will do that before my time at work ends.

[@libertine5606]

You are being tested. They are evaluating you. Can you get along with others. Are you a hot head. A fire station can be a very small place. Are you willing to jump in and help. When it's in the middle of the night, and it's cold, and you are wet, hungry and tired doing overhaul are you going to be the person complaining and making it even more miserable to everyone else. They know you are at your best behavior if you have a bad attitude with 6 months on the job just imagine what you will be like with 5 years on the job. If you have a problem cleaning toilets just remember you are the best paid janitor. If you think you are better than that just wait until you have a drunk yelling at you, throwing up on himself and you have to take of him. Anything you have to do in the station is going to be much better than what you will have to do in the field. If you are not smart enough and mature enough to realize how lucky you are to have this job then go be a cop they never have to clean the heads. Your best bet is keep your head down, never stop moving or studying, and be ready to jump in when there is work to do. It's hard to hit a moving target and impress them with your actions and humbleness. Words are cheap.

[@mikepict9011]

Are you recruiting police officers?

[@knightin2dreams]

You should NOT be FIRST to go to sleep or eat…just in case…a few probies made that mistake…not a good look…

[@AesthMed]

This will vary by department. At our department after 1700 the probie is free to do as he wishes. None of the seasoned guys judge the new ones for sleeping when they get the chance. There is a good chance at my station that we will be up all night.

[@js-rf9le]

@@AesthMed I agree 100%. There's a time and place for everything, but if you're not well rested or hydrated when that tone goes off you're useless on a fire scene. Or any scene really. People don't realize the toll it takes on your body waking up in the middle of the night multiple times and having to go to work at a moments notice. Not to say you should sleep all day but there's nothing wrong with resting for a little bit when things are slow around the fire house.

[@NataliaLuchowska-d7p]

​@@AesthMedi tak powinno byc,

[@NataliaLuchowska-d7p]

Nie moga wszystkiego wiedziec i kazdy byl kiedys mowicjuszem

[@comptegoogle511]

Lazy, soft, entitled...Do you mean the opposite of an engineering student who rides his mountain bike ten miles back and forth to go to University to study 70-80 hours per week? Or do you mean like an engineering student who has two summer jobs to pay for his next semester?

[@elifuenmayor8359]

Someone took this personal.

[@queeniemoonwalker]

Somebody just wants attention. Sheesh. This man has put in the time and effort to make these helpful videos for firefighters and aspiring firefighters and you're here bringing your personal problems into it. Nobody cares and you're just making yourself look bad. Lol.