I hate the coming early culture in Firefighting

[u/thatdudewayoverthere]

So because everyone said something about this o taught I might as well.

I hate the fact that it's standard that every shows up early.

To give you an example: At my Department we officially get paid from 6:45 to 7 so 24:15h but it's standard in my department that everyone shows up at around 6-6:15.

So we basically artificially moved our shift time one hour early 6-6 instead of 7-7. In the end everyone still works 24 hours no matter what time you actually start.

Big edit because people don't seem to get my point:

We all Still work 24 hours nobody is actually getting relieved earlier since everyone obviously expects to be relieved by 0615

But if you happen to catch a late call before you get relieved you don't get paid for that call.

For Example:

If I work from 6-6 I worked 24 hours if I get a late call at 5:45 and now worked till 7 I now worked 25 hours

But because my official shift time is 7-7 I only get paid 24 hours even though I worked 25

This problem wouldn't exist if not for the everyone coming in early

This is not supposed to be a discussion about when is a good time for shift change to beat traffic or have more from the day but instead of coming in early and working for free we should just put pressure on our departments to change the shift times to what we actually want

Please share your opinions on this but I personally think it's just annoying and it would be easier if every just shows up when they are paid to do so (plus of course 10-15 minutes to actually get ready)

[u/theworldinyourhands]

I do too. Been working for one of the biggest departments in the US for almost decade.

I’m not coming in until I’m required to be there. As a probie, yeah sure.. a rookie, yeah sure.

I’m not giving away my time to some dickhead anymore. I have the job, I’ll go “fight” fires if I have to.

I refuse to be taken advantage of anymore.

Fuck this job. I like the time time off and the fact it pays my bills.

Tired of seeing dead people, tired of “motivational firefighters”

I’m here for the t shirt and paycheck. I keep myself in shape. I’ll grab you if you need it.

Aside from that- I couldn’t give a fuck less.

[u/VictimOfRegions → u/theworldinyourhands]

Strong agree, if the whole department wants to relieve each other 2 hours early they can change the guidelines on it. Ive done that song and dance before, I'm not gonna get fucked over working a 26 shift because I'm falling in line 2 hours early and the guy relieving me doesn't care

[u/BlitzieKun → u/theworldinyourhands]

Honestly, that's reasonable.

[u/Cappuccino_Crunch → u/theworldinyourhands]

Thank you. I've said it before. The fire service is being ruined by the whackers. It's a fucking job that's it. Leave your hard-on at home for your volly job. Asking more and more from us daily while giving less and less.

[u/[deleted] → u/theworldinyourhands]

Might be time for you to hang it up then. No sense in being miserable.

[u/Cappuccino_Crunch → u/[deleted]]

Some people realize this is just a job. That's all it's ever been to me. Not everybody needs a hero complex to show up to work in a good mood

[u/[deleted] → u/Cappuccino_Crunch]

Nothing about what they said suggests they're ever at work in a good mood. That looks like burnout.

[u/Cappuccino_Crunch → u/[deleted]]

Because they said it's just a job? Get a grip

[u/[deleted] → u/Cappuccino_Crunch]

I see you didn't actually read or comprehend what they said.

[u/FeelingBlue69 → u/theworldinyourhands]

Based. In that same vane, I see on here people like "relieving their brothers and sisters..." you aren't relieving anyone, you are giving someone an hour off early. My shift ends at 7:30, I intend to work until 7:30 they can too. Catch a call at 7:28? Oh well part of the job that sucks, among many other things. I don't hate the guys on the other shift, but its also not my job to make their life better. Want a more stable schedule? Get a different job.

[u/Ok_Belt_9796 → u/theworldinyourhands]

I thinks it’s time to retire brotha

[u/[deleted] → u/theworldinyourhands]

That's a whole lotta "me" and "I". 

[u/theworldinyourhands → u/[deleted]]

Cool, man. Anything else?

You want me to tell you this job is awesome and we should always be the dude?

What is it they say in the fire service? Trust dudes with your life, not your wife?

I don’t give a fuck anymore. I’ll show up when I’m required to by department policy unless someone needs early relief.

I’ve been putting others before me my entire adult life and it’s gotten me nowhere.