What I've learned as a NEW Driver Engineer

Becoming a new driver engineer has been fun so far. I feel like I have so much more to learn and so much more ice cream to try!

[@SpecterSeventy2]

As a Driver Engineer, I am very offended by this video because it’s completely accurate.

[@sbdftw1702]

98% EMS calls 😂 Unfortunately very accurate.

[@thatdude8850]

@@sbdftw1702 that's wrong it 99.99% ems

[@michaellipken9726]

lol. thank u for ur service to the community though :) I'm also happy to help firefighters when they grocery shop as a meat clerk. Although the joke is false on ice cream unless the driver doesnt eat teh meat and just comes to drive to get the food jk.

[@gklakamp2888]

🤣

[@stateofdisorder1]

😂😂😂

[@angelbabies7]

I never knew just how difficult it was to be a driver. These insightful documentaries are so educational. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[@RJ_Cormac]

Modern GPS Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) really changed their work responsibilities. I remember the old crews would have a map class/quiz every shift. Everyone trying to memorize the city they served. Not just the engineers and brass, but everyone because the newbs were responsible for navigating to EMS calls with paper mapbooks. We'd have those 10-45 page mapbooks (depending on how big the municipality) plus the additional pages of unofficial maps from trailer parks, colleges, dense apartment & townhouse complexes, large malls, nursing home floor plans, hospital floor plans, etc. Many still have these classes for the unofficial maps Google doesn't know in case there is a massive structure fire at a college or government building and they have to evacuate the college kids from their stuck frat party indoor fireworks failure.

[@Titan-fk2fi]

@@RJ_Cormac the last bit got me laughing

[@nicklikesradio]

@@RJ_Cormac please tell me the last part is satirical!

[@nightfall22]

@@RJ_Cormac lol yeah brother, I mention Thomas guide and the 20 year olds say who is Thomas? Like it’s a quest in their favorite RPG 🤣

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Imagine driving something that handles worse & rolls easier than a Transit Bus in a hurry. I've driven a Transit Bus, Two & Three Axle Non-Syncromesh Commercial Trucks before a drunk driver broke my back. I've also known a few responders over the years... The really difficult part is the coordination between the Main Driver & Rear Driver on a Hook & Ladder in a Metropolitan area. As the Rear Driver has to steer the trailer part of the Fire Truck. Here in Portland Oregon the newbies are sent on a fools errand to see if they fall for it. Often they do and spend hours trying to back uphill with the drive tires smoking and out of ever narrowing curvy residential roads... Once by my former address, the newbies spent five hours trying to back the Hook and Ladder up a hill while having the rear driver steer through almost impossible corners. At one point said drivers got into a bit of a fight before the Fire Truck was freed and the crew knew never to trust their GPS 100%. As a segment had been blocked in the middle of their path by a landslide that happened twenty years ago. So it looked like they could just drive out without using reverse gear but only on their GPS... As the Portland Fire Bureau apparently picks out these traps knowing that GPS Mapping Systems will show the Portland Bureau of Transportation's right of way. as roads, even when there are segments of roads missing for various reasons. Often there was always a segment missing but there are pipes in the right of way...

[@bildo99ify]

My very first day turned loose as a driver, we were coming back from the grocery store and a Corolla was swerving all crazy in front of us. The AIC laid on the air horn, but no luck. It was a 4-lane at that point, so I went to get around him. As I passed him, AIC noticed that the driver was ACTIVELY SEIZING behind the wheel! The only option in my mind was get in front of him, let him make contact, and slowly stop the engine. It actually worked, and Chris jumped out and killed his engine. He was transported without incident, and nobody was hurt. 😬 Love your videos! 🤙🏼

[@Endtimes88]

So cool !!

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Awesome quick thinking. As that was a lot harder than it sounds...

[@3220fire]

CONGRATS Brother!! Looking back I always say being a driver was some of most fun I had in my career. One the most common injuries to drivers is coffee cup finger and with your background in coffee this is a real possibility.

[@lovelight6973]

I'm new to EMS. I don't know much about the fire positions like the driver. Is it really coveted to get?

[@3220fire]

@@bostonrailfan2427 It's a joke. Our drivers always seemed to a cup of coffee in the hand.

[@3220fire]

@@lovelight6973 It's the next step up from firefighter in the promotional ladder.

[@hollow34]

@@lovelight6973 in the UK it's a step up but a step down, forget ever doing any actual work. You've been put there to retire you from active duty. On rare occasions you may have to do something, most end up hating the day they accepted the driver role

[@lovelight6973]

@@3220fire oh no 🤣☕

[@kenbrown2808]

most important rule of being an engineer: always have the deck gun deployed on the drill ground in case of water fights.

[@kenbrown2808]

@@bostonrailfan2427 exactly.

[@piechow]

totally stealing this

[@kenbrown2808]

@@piechow definitely do it.

[@kenbrown2808]

@@bostonrailfan2427 it's more "revenge is a dish best served at 250 GPM"

[@jefferymccormick3380]

@@bostonrailfan2427 it's the c130 or the helo with the water bag you gotta watch for.

[@DAngeloDino]

The “EMS send off” one of the best feelings ever lol.

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

Just be thankful "clutch leg" is a thing of the past with these modern automatic transmissions. In decades past you could always tell who the driver was by the left leg limp.

[@Haaraff]

As a volunteer, it's funny how fast the transition from front line to driver happened to me. Within 2 years after passing my exam the two other drivers in our group retired and I started to grow a belly.

[@911life5]

My dad went into the fire department in the 70’s and spent 33 years in. I believe 31 years as the engineer. He said he was offered LT multiple times but said it was too much headache and not enough pay. lol these videos give me a deeper understanding of him lol

[@robertdavis4184]

Loved being a engineer before going to captain in 2012. Can't wait to see up coming videos of driving and going to Captain. I can tell in my experience being and filling in as shift commander I realized your not in charge you become a baby sitter in the the station is a day care. Lol Congratulations

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

A lot of supervisor positions are like that. Our super is basically a baby sitter, he even breaks out the daycare teacher talk when ever the guys have to take a refresher course online. "Come on guys you can do it, I know you've done this course a thousand times but just one more. Good boy!" "No more frowny faces. Where's my smiley face?" And on and on lol.

[@booksandtea1989]

@@huntsbychainsaw5986 as an assistant manager, I completely agree🤣. It isn't that bad with the girls at my store. They're reasonably mature. But whenever I'm stuck with the boys, I'm definitely the babysitter. Sometimes even for the other assistant who's 12 years older than me🤦

[@daddydankmemes6260]

You don't go to Lieutenant before captain?

[@robertdavis4184]

@@daddydankmemes6260 yes I was a lieutenant before Captain. A few years before that it was FF then Captain. The lieutenant spot was added in 2009

[@lukewarmwater6412]

as a former professional (non emergency) driver, just go with the un even tan, its how people know you drive.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

That's why Australian Truck drivers have a jacket with one sleeve missing...

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

You're not nearly large enough around the middle to be a driver engineer. You're gonna need to eat more ice cream.

[@chrisrowland2223]

He's gotta add the syrup and crumbled up protein bars to the ice cream

[@engineco.1494]

Congrats! It's one of the most important and underrated jobs being a pump operator, in Canada in the winter after running the pump on a structure fire you look and feel like a icicle.

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

If your pumping from a reservoir you leave the area looking like an ice sculpture after. I assume it's because you have to leave the pump running to prevent freezing but that steady stream of water into the bush does make for an interesting spectacle.

[@keith6706]

@@huntsbychainsaw5986 You have to leave everything running, including hoselines, so everything is covered in ice at the end. In my department the hoses have to go back to the hall piled in the back of a pickup (they're impossible to roll because they're partially frozen already), and then they get dumped out to thaw because by that point they're totally frozen and can't be hung to dry, so we have to let them thaw before we can work with them. At least once we had to put a firefighter in the back of a pickup for the short drive back to the hall because he was literally frozen into his gear and couldn't move enough to get into the truck for the drive back. We had to manhandle him into a shower to run hot water to thaw his gear so he could undress.

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

@@keith6706. Wow, that sucks. I'm a new city guy and I just did my first fire call last week for roads support. I'm learning a lot. I hand no idea how much work the fire fighters had to put in for winter fires and extreme weather conditions.

[@skydiverclassc2031]

@@keith6706 You didn't prop him up in front of the station with a prevention message in his hands? You're no fun at all!

[@hardwirecars]

@@huntsbychainsaw5986 yeah sorry we just had a fire a few days ago where we learned (here in texas) that just because there was ice on the ground and it is now wet as all hell grass can still be dry and extreamly flamable.

[@MyFortressConstruction]

As an EMT I was always waiting for that tap on the back to let me know it was safe to leave the scene. Thank goodness for firemen.

[@MajorHolyNight]

I'm a driver at my dept, and everything here is true 😂

[@johnarat9618]

Say the only ice cream I ever eat is Vanilla with or without Chocolate syrup (That's what I had for my final hot lunch at school before summer break), and I eat that when I'm a driver Enginner in the Fire Department. Does that make me a true DE?

[@leadpilled5567]

All the jokes are great but an engineer saved my bacon only place to park the engine was on a steep incline. He had us wait till he had a good water supply knowing at that angle we wouldn’t have use of all the water in the tank. As we were waiting at the door the fire flashed over. Without him making the call good chance we would have been inside with no water.

[@nicklikesradio]

That would have been a sticky/crispy situation.

[@TheEDFLegacy]

I hope no one was inside!

[@MM-sx7zs]

I remember in elementary/middle school(Can't quite remember which) Someone asked a visiting fireman what they did, he said, "I drive and maintain the actual fire-engine so we can go places when we need to" "So you work in a shop?" "Well, no, I work in the station where we park the car" "So you do mechanic stuff there?" "Well, I don't actually fiddle with the motor of the fire-engine, I just make sure everything is in working order at all times" "Oh, do you go into the buildings that are on fire or help people?" "The people I work with do, I usually stay with the engine manning the pumps" "Oh" "Any more questions?" "...Not really" *(Taken from memory and paraphrased, not a true quote of the conversation, especially since the Fireman would likely not have gone into detail with an 11 year-old(At least not that one))*

[@hollow34]

I do elementary visits, one kid was asking a scary amount of questions about explosives "have you ever been shot at?", "Do you blow stuff up? "Do you set things on fire?". This is in the UK so we generally don't have those things lying around. That kid needed referring for sure.

[@aerchys4779]

@@hollow34 That child later moved to America to realize his explosive dreams.

[@dimwitt461]

Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Recliner! Just remember what I tell all the new drivers; No matter who’s fault it is, when it comes to accidents you’re wrong! Or; It’s MY truck, I just let other people borrow it occasionally. Mess it up and you answer to me! Of course; I don’t expect perfection but I do expect professionalism! And don’t forget; If it was for the driver/operators, no one would be able to do their jobs! Good luck Brother!

[@GiantBoykinMusic]

Congratulations Jason on the promotion!

[@sadow2063]

Congratulations of the promotion man! I just got my very first conditional offer for a wildland job, but I’m stoked to finally get into the fire service!

[@goatmealcookies7421]

Congrats! Remember, you really shouldn't drive over those cars whose drivers fail to yield, no matter how tempting.

[@animula6908]

I think you should. We need a referendum.

[@veramae4098]

Other song: Get out the way bitch. l get out th' way.

[@Flyboy207]

For an extra challenge you can do a modified tank to pump pull, it’s common at stations with older apparatus. You set the weight as high as it will go, grab the handle with both hands, plant one foot against the weight rack and yank as hard as you can until it moves.

[@user-jp6gv3vt3v]

As a rescue man myself, I do love when that red/yellow light comes on. Always good to see the senior guys setting the example by actually doing something.

[@mikeprevitera5839]

I mow grass for a living and one of my customers is a cab driver. He wears spf75 on the left side of his body. His left arm is golden brown with sun bleached white hairs. His right arm is snow white with jet black hairs.

[@itsyaboimat2393]

Congratulations on the promotion brother!

[@NikHYTWP]

Man, being able to comfortably sit outside in a T-Shirt and eat ice cream *in february* looks so nice. I wish where I lived we had year-round summer :/

[@SubieSpecial]

D/E is the best spot ever. Congrats and welcome to the club!

[@limemonster2295]

You never disappoint. 😂😂

[@fetishartist137]

I can't stop watching your videos!

[@cavtroopermunoz]

I'm going to go with this being sarcasm, the reason is, every time I pull over for the fire truck I can see the overly stressed driver grinding his teeth and cussing out the window at the terminally clueless that can't be bothered to get out of the way.

[@the_blueeagle]

Yoo, gratulations on 400k subs!

[@ChefMcToastEM]

Congratulations on 400k!

[@juangurrola4275]

Love your videos your so funny especially the one with the trying smoke in the ambulance

[@goofsaddggkle7351]

A good EO is like a pro golf caddy - sometimes the captain gets tunnel vision and it takes the EO to bring everything back into perspective.

[@kicker_atc2345]

Welcome to the greatest position on the rig brother! I have the icecream down, but definitely need to work out my tank to pump exercises. Dont want to sprain anything for the 2 seconds of work I have to do.

[@aA-hq4km]

Thanks for your service 🙏

[@Jerry-nz3ji]

Congrats on the promotion brother! Welcome to the Driver/Engineer club :)

[@jordanb3577]

Congrats on the promotion brother!

[@LordAtomiskck]

Congrats on your promotion and once again nailing it

[@ED-2.0.9.]

jajajaja... I remember closing those first, fresh out'a "M&S" myself, on scene 'Bambalance doors myself. Think I did that exact pat-pat-pat. Good stuff FDC!

[@paulkay6017]

Congratulations, you've hit the sweet spot on the job. The only difference is...you get to go back to the station/recycler after the call

[@auriceburrell8148]

Omg I can't stop laughing, retired as a driver, miss it, all the chaos in the back of the rescue, and driving my engine to pick up my crew at the hospital. Best job in the dept

[@jamesnunez1703]

Congratulations!!

[@vindivergilio3482]

Great and funny vid, Bro. In all seriousness though: I think the best part of my career (both paid and volunteer) was driving, especially our Tower, Tanker, and Heavy Rescue. Alot of people think being chauffer is a cake job, even those on the job. They don't get that driving isn't just getting to drive the big shiny. Correctly and safely running a pump, throwing a stick and the other duties a chauffer has to do is as exciting as doing engine & truck work. Unless it's driving the meat wagon. That's another story (hated that!!!)....

[@Jehty_]

What is a meat wagon?

[@allenz7688]

@@Jehty_ an ambulance

[@vindivergilio3482]

@@Jehty_ ambulance

[@vindivergilio3482]

@@Jehty_ slang for an ambulance

[@classicambo9781]

Meat wagon - hadn't heard that one before. Appropriate.

[@raystinsky]

Congratulations. Second best job on the job.

[@BrotherMag]

Congratulations man!

[@nightfall22]

That rear door slap had me rollin’ omg they do that 🤣😂

[@keeganklepper1301]

That's actually pretty accurate.

[@stephanieoregan]

I'm so frickin glad I found this channel 🤣🤣🤣

[@rwjducati19591]

Oh thanks a lot! No more videos as you'll be in nap town..... nice while they lasted. Good luck in your new habitat 👍

[@robpatriotselfreliance1637]

Had me laughing out loud, brought back some memories for sure

[@BA-ng9bx]

Congratulations!

[@swaggson2250]

Congratulations man

[@HighwayLand]

Don't forget that us truck drivers always have the right of way! j/k of course. I am a truck driver from Oregon, and former volunteer. Stay safe out there!

[@alejandroberrio9815]

The end is always a banger!

[@lsdavidson6716]

You’re hilarious. Thanks for the laughs. My mom loves you.

[@MarcoPolo-zc6zo]

Hahaha! I used to know an old timer who would use a tanning reflector dealie to even out the other half of his body. I started to let into him once and he gave me a “I know where the bodies are buried” stare. 🤣🤣🤣 Keep ‘em coming!

[@bobgraff6658]

Congrats!

[@amandacoffey4374]

Love ❤️ can never go wrong with ice cream !

[@ginger_nosoul]

The driver waive and the ambulance send off 🤣🤣🤣

[@suejorgensen46]

I remember moving from firefighter riding in the back of the brush rig dozing for those 50 mile rides to the fire not waking up till the air brake sounded. And then I was in front driving, no sleeping on the way, damn!

[@thatguy2224]

Engineer was my favorite job. I did miss alot of fire experience because I made engineer so quickly. Instead of fighting fire I was pumping for the guys fighting fire.

[@tammyt3434]

One of the sure signs of spring is the blooming of the half farmer's tan.

[@keithtaylor1531]

Best job at the FD and yes you will spend more time in the driver recharging station aka recliner.

[@Rush23]

Publix icecream good stuff man

[@stevep3591]

You nailed it.

[@jamesadams2333]

I’ll admit you guys are amazing and dare I say masochistic! Making the world a better place on two hours of sleep! XD Keep up the great work!

[@lovelight6973]

Right.

[@georgecrosby113]

Driver Engineer is the most fun position in the Department. You always get to play, no matter what the call. Everybody else is along for the ride you're providing!!! I've operated everything from a Medbed/Brush unit equipped Gator, Brush Jeeps and Trucks, Engines, and Engine Tankers up to a 4000 gal. Tanker, and a Tower..🧑‍🚒 One thing I will say driving was a lot more fun when apparatus had three pedals and a Driver/Engineer who knew what the third one was for......🤠

[@Fire33410]

I know that color scheme. Your doing amazing Jason!

[@jackall-trades6149]

Becoming a driver (especially now) seems like a Battle Royale between Dobermans over a prime cut. Anything to get off that rescue...

[@bigrignick6537]

I a tractor trailer driver and I can relate to about 90% of this lmao

[@darklingnz8017]

Used to work with a butcher that was a volunteer firefighter here in NZ. He told me a story of when they took the engine out to a race track to teach the guys how to drive it hard. After the sports bikes had finished with the track they stayed to watch them get taught to drift the engine round the track hooting and cheering them on! Would love to have seen a fire engine being drifted that would be epic!

[@johnnewmyer3858]

Best job on the job.

[@aleksandarp3388]

The ice cream on the bench is so relatable 🤣

[@66Vulcan66]

BRUH 😂😂😂 You're ripping on my closest friend who just made Engineer. Sending this vid to him now

[@einarrjamesson9643]

Congratulations on the promotion dude!

[@jongalloway2869]

Don't know how I found your channel but glad I did

[@seanblaine2827]

I remember how everyone was stoked to drive, and then !!

[@Lifeguard326]

Best job on the job! I retired as an Engineer/Paramedic!

[@SigmundGreene]

Glad to see some Publix IceCream!!

[@MasterTech396]

I saw that Publix ice cream. Got us a southern boy.

[@Bigolddaddy120]

As a Driver/Engineer/Paramedic myself... I have to say this video is... well.. RIGHT ON!!!!

[@johnbowan3007]

Yup, that pretty much sums it up

[@cricketlcfd5615]

I’m a driver engineer and this is down right hilarious 😂

[@Chris1Stevens2]

I’m glad I live in Houston, Texas so I can stay off the street when you’re driving….🤣joking .

[@ethanndichu1280]

Ahhh, the good old ambulance send off.

[@badneed]

Sorry I stole a screenshot of your tanning for my fellow school bus drivers. Report me to the police if you will, but it REALLY applies to us as well

[@RJ_Cormac]

Good for you! I know many Departments don't require ambulance duty once you've done enough years to reach a certain promotion level. How long are you planning on riding the crazy bus before you retire from being an active duty medic?

[@BlackChugga]

Congratulations on your promotion, well deserved king,

[@christopherreynolds8873]

Congrats brother. Making the jump to FADO is always good time. Just don’t take the LT’s exam.

[@lynnjohnson9727]

YAY!!! YOU DID IT!!!!

[@officer9wasd]

As an employee over at Publix, thank you for shopping with us. 🙂

[@SLAPNTZ_MCCOY]

Congratulations on your promotion!!!

[@TheRiclaw89]

Lol I be pushing that engine to the limit when I drive 😂😂😂 I have been 1st due to my 2nd due on numerous occasions 🤣🤣🤣 with due regard of course

[@midnight3213]

As an OTR truck driver. That grocery part hit me. It's too true.

[@lmboh8585]

Don't forget the nutritional toppings for the ice cream ;)

[@arliorlovski5816]

Has anybody already told, that this man is a genius? Genius I say!

[@kevadams1964]

Another exercise would be the door remote button push.

[@AronFigaro]

My uncle drove EMS for 50 years, heard so many stories. You're going to have a fun time. Don't die.

[@sashakazmar6142]

Congrats on the promotion, bruh!