The Rookie Firefighter’s Survival Guide
Posted On 01 Jun 2013
Rule #1
Love it & Honor it! The fire service has enough posers and T-shirt firefighters!
The fire service needs clear headed dedicated people of strong character. Who are passionate about helping others and willing to pay the price day in and day out to master the art of firefighting. I have yet to meet anyone drafted into the fire service whether you are paid or volunteer you made a conscious decision to join the fire service, and I hope with the full knowledge of what will be expected of you and not for reasons such as pay, benefits or social recognition because eventually the challenges of this job will reveal you for who you truly are.
Rule #2
You will be expected to put yourself in harm’s way to save someone’s life
No matter the location or size of your community the citizens that work and dwell within it are expecting you to risk your life to protect them. They have entrusted the selfless and dedicated men and woman of the fire service with their lives and we can’t let them down. In the course of fulfilling your duty, you will have to place yourself in harm’s way for a total stranger. You will have to go were death is lurking fully aware of the consequences. That is why ours is a noble calling and that is what makes you a firefighter.
Rule #3
There are no short cuts! You always reap what you sow.
Being a good firefighter is a process which happens over time not overnight. You will not receive instant gratification or respect; you will have to follow the natural process of hard work and growth that makes it possible. You will need to commit yourself to constant and continuous process of improvement to reveal and harness your full potential. Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.
Rule #4
Be Humble; never be afraid to ask for help or admit you don’t know something.
Many firefighters believe it is a sign of weakness to admit you don’t know something or to ask for help. They spend a great deal of time creating an overinflated image of themselves and their capabilities which lulls them into a false sense of competence. Asking for help or admitting you don’t know everything is a sign of intelligence, strength and character. Humility will keep you on the path to success and alive.
Rule #5
Attitude determines the speed with which you achieve success
Attitude is about the frame of mind with which you approach every day. It determines the habits and behaviors you develop to achieve success or failure. No one becomes a good firefighter alone and if you want your fellow firefighters help you will have to inspire them by demonstrating a good work ethic, positive outlook and a never say quit spirit. Having a good attitude doesn’t mean there won’t be struggles it means there will be people in your corner to help you through them. Nothing can stop or deter a person with the right attitude and nothing can help a person with the wrong attitude.
Rule #6
Train,Train, Train and then… Train some more
Many firefighters make the mistake of thinking that once they graduate from basic training their training is over but it has only just begun. If you plan on being a good firefighter you will have to make everyday a quest to become the best firefighter you can be by challenging yourself to learn something new. At first there will be a lot to learn and it can seem overwhelming but if you prioritize your training and pace yourself you will have a better chance of absorbing and retaining important information and skills. Set goals for yourself and take advantage of every training opportunity available. Un-plug from your smart phone and plug into the conversation at the kitchen table. Listen to the senior members of your company share their experiences and lessons they are worth their weight in gold! The day you think you don’t need to train should be your last day as a firefighter!
Be Safe. Be Ready!
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I am new to this site and as a eager and young man I intend to learn as much as I can about our job , so I can better assist my brothers and sisters on the job and bring something to the table . I hope to learn some new tactics and outlooks from your website and pay it forward . I’ve been a industrial firefighter for 4 years and I am now a municipal firefighter for the last 7 years . 2 completely different Demons . As a municipal firefighter I have just recently been elected to our Pension Board LOCAL 556 Trustee and Indiana delegate rep. I hope to be able to learn more about EVERY aspect of the job , and any chance I can get to learn anything from someone who is willing to shear , I’ll be very appreciative . Thank You
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Excellent article, being an Explorer at a young and have grown up in the Fire Department, I can attest to all of these. Thank you for sharing this as I am printing this out so then I can see it every morning as I train to become a full-time firefighter.
Very good article, I look forward referencing this article to my new probies as soon as are probies are in next month. Keep up the the great articles, I learn a lot.
Excellent article. I’m an EMT aspiring to be a firefighter and this is filled with the right information.
I have one problem with my dept. nobody likes training. We meet once a month and go over budget and paper work. Both the newest members and I want to train and practice but the senior guys are to lazy or think they all know everything already. Nobody in my mutual aid district has their level 2 they all say you don’t need it that’s for career guys in the city. I’m taking it as soon as it’s offered. We get training provided free of charge from the fire college in my province so there is no excuse not to take it. It’s frustrating.
I agree with all of your article !! After 20+ years in 2 VFD’s simutaneously, I have QUIT !! IF the fire service wants to enlist and retain the best, then the tree shake should start at the top. Egotistic Narcisstic Chiefs and their yes men with warped, misdirected, and ignorant agendas, compounded by power drunk tax boards are ruining and poisioning the very roots of the American Fire Service. The Truthfull story I can tell would make a small book or short movie, so I wont bore you further, except to say …… Look inward, Look upward, your problem or salvation could be present or missing in either.
Great site Bryan! Keep up the good work.
As a Fire Service Instructor, everyone involved must realize Training “IS” a two way street. The students must inspire all, just as the Instructors should when creating a Training drill. In a Fire response all work together, so should you in a Training evolution. Hang in there, make the best of the positive, and minimize the negative.
great tips
thanks….i learned a lot from you…thanks once again……..