A Day in the Life: My First Shift

Firefighter Jimmy Townsend is no longer a recruit. He is now a sworn member of Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services and is officially a Probationary Firefighter. Follow Firefighter Townsend on his first-ever 24-hour shift. He is assigned to Station 4 C-Shift, off Cumberland Blvd near Interstate 285.

[@SittingWithDogs]

As soon as those cameras stop be ready for some major ball busting! Just laugh at it & if it bothers you don’t let em know it bro. From a veteran here’s some advice on fitting in. Never not be busy, Never be the last one done eating, if you guys play poker dishes you do the dishes with whoever wins!, know your rig inside & out! At a job if your officer asks for something he doesn’t want to hear every compartment opening & closing. Focus on your basics non stop before getting into technical things. Stretching, throwing ladders, search tactics, dressing the hydrant etc. get your hands on everything on your rig and know everything about each piece, lastly this may be the most important kid. Don’t be in a big hurry to be one of the guys. That will come in time when you build a good reputation, and that takes awhile. Eyes open mouth shut unless your asking questions about the job. You have the greatest job in America IMO. It takes your whole career to be considered a “good firefighter” and that’s not easy to be considered a good Firefighter by your peers, but it should be your ultimate goal. Bust your butt on these things, and you will be ok kid. Good luck!!

[@JIGGYJAY420]

You Sir, are the one that I want to work with. Everything you said here is spot on. I'm sure your peers consider you a "good firefighter."

[@Boots2Bike]

love the advice, marine corps vet here and in the process of getting into fire. I pride my self in work ethic. As an enlisted guy in the infantry I learned well what it is like to go through your right of passage and live at the bottom and get the shit end of the stick. got my ass handed to me but always kept moving and I believe that turned me into an effective leader even while sometimes have been led poorly by some senior leaders. Hard work, humbleness, bravery, and efficiency with the want to succeed will get you a long way anywhere. Especially in a job where you want your seniors and peers to truly feel like when push comes to shove and lives are on the line, they can count on you!

[@Swifft26]

@@Boots2Bike I’m in the same boat brother, I’m working through the process to be a firefighter.

[@taylor_smith]

I have my first shift here in a week or so and I’m going follow your advice here exactly! Thank you for the advice🙏🏼

[@TNAgaming150]

Just got the letter to stand by for the CPAT and start the process. my older brother has been on the job for 9 years. Ready to start the process and get into the academy. Really like the advice you gave my brother has said much of the same to me he is also a marine vet.

[@belle7437]

Watching this because I had no idea what my boyfriend is doing now. It’s his first day at the fire station and I haven’t heard a word from him. I know he’s okay and I’m so proud of him. Thank you for your services! 🙌🏼

[@Neptune.410]

how did it go for him

[@belle7437]

@@Neptune.410 idk we broke up lol

[@Neptune.410]

@@belle7437 welp thats his lost unfortunately, you seem very supportive. keep striving nd doing the great things you do !

[@belle7437]

@@Neptune.410 thank you!! I’m trying….

[@Neptune.410]

@@belle7437 You’re doing great !

[@hosedragger-204]

In December I became one of about 20 students to finish the 1st ever Essentials Firefighter Class in my county. It was 80hrs done on weeknights and a few Saturdays and Sundays. All I have left until I can challenge the Firefighter 1 exam for my state is to get First Aid & CPR/AED certification, finish the online traffic incident management course, then take a 9 hour Wildland Fire Control course, and a 28 hour HAZMAT OPS class with a written and practical exam portion at the end. Then I can challenge the exam and get my Firefighter 1 certification. Me joining the volunteer fire department in my town is continuing the unofficial family tradition that goes back all the way to my Great-Great Grandfather who was an Assistant Chief of what is now one of the largest departments in my State. The ironic thing is that he went be the same nickname that I do, which my parents weren't aware of until my grandmother or great grandmother told them. I don't intend on being an officer, but I hope to carry on the tradition and make my family proud

[@tracelandry4655]

i take my state psychomotor exam on Nov 20 and then my national registry cognitive test for my EMT-B! plan is to eventually be a firefighter paramedic. Medic school begins in April-May :)

[@carpefuego]

Hell yeah! Stay with it

[@markaaronclemons6089]

I am happy for you tracy Landry

[@CobbFireVideos]

Make sure you're added to our mailing list to stay up-to-date on our hiring process. Visit www.joincobbfire.com and enter your information into our mailing list!

[@DapperSapper515]

What state? And how did it go?

[@DapperSapper515]

I start my EMT-B courses in March, and go all the way through to May. I take the psychomotor test the day after the classes end. If I pass, I have to schedule to take the state NREMT exam. If I pass, sweet, I'm a certified EMT, and can head to the fire academy whenever I get hired with a department. My state requires you to be EMT-B at the MINIMUM before you even take the civil service exam/apply to non civil service departments. I'm in Massachusetts though, and they love doing everything the hard/long way regardless of what job you want. Cop, firefighter, nurse, teacher, etc lol.... 😂

[@zakhumphries9019]

Welcome to the brotherhood. Just be open to learn and absorb all you can from the senior guys

[@coreydoutrich5319]

Great video! I hope to be working for Cobb fire in the near future and this an awesome inside peak!

[@carpefuego]

Do the work and you'll get it! Stay after it

[@CobbFireVideos]

Make sure you're added to our mailing list to stay up-to-date on our hiring process. Visit www.joincobbfire.com and enter your information into our mailing list!

[@Bobbyd0052]

CONGRATULATIONS 🇺🇲 ! I LIKE HOW THE MEMBER SAYS HE HAD FUN DOING ALL THE HEAVY,OR TOUGH THINGS ! GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND ALL OF YOR CREW !🇺🇲

[@owensweetland342]

Beautiful stations in the southern states. Mint Hill NC has a gorgeous house. Laid out well.

[@marktownsend49]

Going into fire academy next year, my last name is townsend too. Seeing the last name on the jacket makes me want it more.

[@rodt7182]

Great work , we all have to start from day one , and training and knowledge will always be your best aspect and know those SCBA straps are the best way to help pull a brother or sister out of harm's way , and you cant go wrong with good old meat and potatoes 👨‍🚒👩‍🚒👍

[@jaycebeverly6254]

This is very motivating

[@haydenkyriss5004]

Good luck in your career Jimmy! I work for city of Marietta and just got off probation. Might run into you one day!

[@chincheungyiu7567]

God bless you're forever ❤

[@Hot.firefighters]

You are hero

[@lavonntairblakely9313]

Im in the process of trying to get in with Dekalb co. But i have to pass my PAT my start date is Jan 22nd if everything goes well.

[@Jacked97Ram]

How’s it been going? About to graduate recruit school and go full time on the line up here in Worcester Ma! Very excited

[@forein.k6391]

Currently in school to become a firefighter can wait

[@grug4m3r24]

its intersting to see the diference betwen Germany and the US . In germand 60-100 people are at an staition and in the us just 10-20

[@Facisttt]

Stations usually have 2-9 units and each of them usually carrys four or eight depending on the unit. Such as a medic A medic would carry 2 A engine 4 And what other units you can think of

[@MusicNTempo]

60-100?! Please tell us how many trucks and the staffing that makes that up because some stations here 100 could be like half of the department lol

[@Rvns556]

How to get hazed 101.

[@Millszymillsz]

How long does it normally take for a probie to start to fit in? Had 3 days on shift so far

[@ronthemogul]

lol

[@MrMiller36]

Doing their laundry!?!?

[@Lurker124]

Yup. When you’re the FNG you get the shit detail. Earn your keep wherever you go.

[@historicstudios2708]

@@Lurker124 depends on the department. At my two departments the new person should take out the trash, empty the dish washer, and make sure their learning and asking questions as well as help with the chores. Everyone does their own laundry though and washes their own dishes, new person just empties the dishwasher when it’s finished.

[@ronthemogul]

@@Lurker124I’m not washing no one’s drawers dawg

[@JayJay-jz3tm]

​@@ronthemogul😂😂😂😂😂 you washing my draws lil nugga

[@abdullahalsaidi3700]

Welcome, best KZbin channel, and you can add Arabic language subtitles so that we can benefit from you and be very careful about the channel

[@KirkHermary]

At 3:48 people in my city do that maneuver. Here it's called the: Hey that person is unconscious. I'll go through their pockets and rob them blind.

[@malikdavis1124]

I smoked weed in the military and got kicked out. I got a general under honorable conditions. Is it still possible to get in the department. I’m currently working as an EMT for a private ambo but wanna be in the department

[@CobbFireVideos]

Our background process is very thorough and every aspect will be evaluated. Ultimately, it will be looked into during your background process.

[@natehowell793]

Yea, its definitely possible depending the state as long as you still arent smoking and can test on a drug test.

[@aaronyoungk3367]

When was the last time you smoked, that will be a huge factor in your background. UCMJ 112a is no joke, I know a few sailors, soldiers and marines who have been kicked out because of that article. Long as you got an honorable discharge and stayed away from it. You should be alright.

[@malikdavis1124]

@@aaronyoungk3367 it happen in the fall of 2020

[@aaronyoungk3367]

@@malikdavis1124 that should be okay, it’s over a year. But, obviously it’s up to your investigator. Employment investigation isn’t part of my job, I do criminal investigation. This is purely my opinion, nothing more nothing less. I wish you the best of luck.

[@whybeme1212]

Doing peoples laundry wtf…it’s wild how each fire departments culture is sooooo different

[@gio-zq6iq]

I live close to Station 14

[@CobbFireVideos]

You may see a video from Station 14 in the near future! Be on the look out!

[@gio-zq6iq]

@@CobbFireVideos Yayy

[@andyoxleyonhistravels]

Why is the masked blacked out while changing the cylinder?

[@carpefuego]

Good question. A few reasons. One reason is that it increases familiarization with the SCBA, much like Marines do with rifle breakdown and assembly. This has the added benefit of instilling confidence in the firefighter. Two, to induce a stress response and strengthen stress "immunity" which has been proven to carry over in real world scenarios, and increase success on the fireground, as well as crises in general. Reason number three is that there is such a thing as a hot bottle swap, and this is part of that drill. Being able to do a hot bottle swap in full gear, blacked out, is a usable skill. And lastly, it fosters personal pride and excellence in the craft. **Edit: Almost forgot one: it's fun!! :)

[@andyoxleyonhistravels]

@@carpefuego why on earth would you do a hot bottle swap. Do you guys not have a buddy system if you need air and need to get out. Shouldn't really being doing bottle swaps unless someone is trapped.

[@carpefuego]

@@andyoxleyonhistravels That's exactly right. Really, blacked out training for basic assembly and manipulation of gear and equipment can only benefit. As a disclaimer, this is not my opinion but a fact. And I'm so glad these guys are doing this sort of stuff. Gives me hope! Edit: Also, practicing a hot bottle swap (even when not blacked out) helps train the firefighter not to freak the hell out when his mask sucks to his face, to continue to operate in a thoughtful, determined manner when he's short on time and his body is demanding air. The hot bottle swap is one of many very basic exercises every firefighter should do repeatedly until it becomes second nature. It carries over into other skills, and maintains a foundation of competence and confidence. And again, it's fun. :)

[@andyoxleyonhistravels]

@@carpefuego We never do hot bottle swaps we just buddy up.

[@ericaallen9000]

@@carpefuego also in a working fire there is zero visibility so you can’t see

[@WestSideGangsta]

No thank you. To many mind games in the Fire Department

[@MichaelMick-n1r]

Johnson Sharon Williams Cynthia Gonzalez Anna

[@philnaegely]

lol higher people should be the one serving the lower ones. Servant leadership, make your own coffee

[@truckingoperator]

Um

[@owensweetland342]

Grow thick skin.

[@Steve-cu1ye]

How long until you can go shopping by urself I love tax dollars hard at work