r/Firefighting • u/No-Athlete-5058 • Jul 28 '25
General Discussion I make 1 year in September and I couldn’t be happier to have found something that pushes me every day ❤️🔥
If you guys & gals have any tips they’re much appreciated. I wanna be well rounded and useful so that a captain has no qualms about me being on his rig. I don’t need to be the best firefighter, just the best I can be.
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u/FynnCobb Jul 28 '25
Worship no one, but watch and take notes from the ones that might be worthy.
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u/SirExpensive Jul 28 '25
CONGRATS!!! Continue to be a student of the fire service! Your journey has just begun!!!!!
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u/YetAnotherDapperDave Jul 29 '25
Congrats on coming up on one year sis. Your desire to be well rounded and useful gives evidence of the high quality of your character.
My tips:
- Have a good/consistent workout routine
- Train and workout with the crew (if they are unmotivated, encourage them to join you)
- Train to be mentally and emotionally resilient
- Do something you enjoy during your time away from the firehouse, we need good work-life balance
- You will make mistakes, be sure to own them
- Be known as someone who builds up, you’ll be refreshing compared to the people you will work with who tear down
- You can learn from everyone, but only imitate the good examples
- Attend training classes and bring back useful information and techniques, even if it’s not quickly implemented (Goes back to the old joke about the 2 things firefighter hate - change and the way things are)
- Enjoy your time in the fire service, before you know it, a quarter of a century passes by and it’s on to the next chapter of your life
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 29 '25
These are some good things to live by, I appreciate the time you took to write this ❤️🔥
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u/Abject-Yellow3793 Jul 28 '25
You look really happy
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u/dangforgotmyaccount previous intern Jul 29 '25 edited Jul 29 '25
She is a firefighter after-all, she’s practically smiling ear to ear!
Edit:copied message without changing he to she, my bad
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u/ScheduleNorth8076 Jul 29 '25
Pretty sure that’s a she big dawg. That skin has a care routine for sure
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 29 '25
Thank you! I train like my life depends on it
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u/ScheduleNorth8076 Jul 29 '25
Of course. Woman FF here too. I know it shouldn’t but still erkks me when it’s always assumed that every firefighter is a man. Keep up the great work 💪🏼
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u/Significant_Boat_552 Jul 29 '25
Did you just assume the gender?
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u/dangforgotmyaccount previous intern Jul 29 '25
Kinda? It’s a joke from a group I’m in, I just copied it without thinking about changing it. Mb
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u/CookieeJuice Jul 28 '25
I love that! Good for you. You have a family bigger than you'll ever imagine. Just always remember to seek mental health as you go through this life style. Good job, proud of ya 👍
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 29 '25
I haven’t even deeply considered the mental health aspect, I’ll make sure to prioritize that ❤️🔥🫶🏽
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u/tall82 Jul 28 '25 edited Jul 29 '25
Congratulations, never stop learning and keep evolving to be the best you can be.
14 years in and I am always learning and improving my skills, be positive and enjoy the best career.
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u/BrianKindly 200 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress Jul 29 '25
Don't stop learning, don't stop training. Complacency is what'll get ya!
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u/ElectronicCountry839 Jul 29 '25
Always remember that you're not supposed to work miracles. Your job is to improve the situation. To make things better, if only slightly, just for having been there. Things always go sideways in one way or another, and it's your job to simply deal with it in a positive way.
You'll drive yourself to illness trying to be the best.
Another piece of advice is that the fire service is not the military, and fire isn't actively plotting to get the upper hand. Make smart decisions, stay cautious, and trust your feelings. If something seems off, stop. Nothing is going to take advantage of your hesitation.
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 29 '25
Some damn good advice. I often get wrapped up in feeling like I need to be there to save the day and do godly things, but 9/10 id just be freelancing lol. I’d like to build skills I can put trust in and use them to aid the team. Thank you for that
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u/PlasticMotor7350 Jul 29 '25
Any class you can take, take it. I was told that by my dad after my first year of being a volunteer firefighter.
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u/fyrfyterx Jul 29 '25
I saw your comment about not being the best firefighter, and I just got to say this, as a retired FF/ Crewleader/Captain/Assistant Chief/recruit fire instructor, always always always try to be the best firefighter. Come at this job with no ego, a passion for learning, and physical fitness, empathy, and compassion. Dont be a dick and sit down for 20 years after probation. Earn this job everyday!
Btw, you can still walk into any room with swagger, I mean, you are a bad ass for doing this, but just make it quiet swagger.
I started teaching people to be a firefighter early on in my career , first because it helped me keep my skills up (learn it, do it, teach it) and second because it was extra money for my young family.
Good luck, and if you want, let me know how it goes.
Follow me for more recipes.
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u/pewsay14 Jul 29 '25
Never forget that this job is fun. You come to work and do cool stuff with some of the best people around. Lots of folks can’t say that
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u/ActualBlue2 Jul 29 '25
Stay fit, try to get fitter, care for your coworkers and those you serve. One of the best jobs in the world.
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u/AdditionalBelt3722 Jul 30 '25
Be a thinking fire fighter not a robot. Looks for constant ways to improve dont freelance but dont be afraid to problem solve
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 30 '25
This is sound advice. We probies usually second guess or suppress our judgement and have reservations about speaking up if we see something just because senior FFs and officers have engrained that our names are in pencil. But I’m always looking for ways to keep my crew out of harms way and into a more efficient workflow. Thank you for that.
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u/26sickpeople Edit to create your own flair Jul 28 '25
nicely done. Any memorable calls from the past year?
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 28 '25
4 entrapments. 1 baby and 3 elders. Also 4 dogs. All saved! 🫶🏽
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u/Goddess_of_Carnage Jul 28 '25
Dogs are the best saves!
Everyone loves dogs.
Lawyers work for babies & elders. (Kidding, but just a little).
Still, elders and a babe save are feel good, strong work!
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u/texruska Jul 29 '25
I still occasionally think about the cat that I was caring for after a house fire. Resussed him with oxygen before handing him off to a vet
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u/Sweetandperfect Jul 29 '25
Can you tell us about the process of getting in? Did you take any EMT courses or have fire training? You look so happy!
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 29 '25
No EMT in my city. It was just :
Written test Physical test (PPT) Background and then medical Interview Academy All in a span of 2 years.
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u/No-Athlete-5058 Jul 30 '25
Really great advice everyone ! Thank you for the support and I wish those that haven’t retired yet a safe and long career ❤️🔥❤️🔥 get some
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u/Holiday-Dare2644 23d ago
Congrats! Best advice I was ever given by a senior guy was “You control the scene or the scene will control you”. Wish you the best in your career and journey!
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u/MediaAcademic 19d ago
As a captain, my biggest thing is be proactive! In the station or on scene, don't be idle. Be the first to grab the mop, try and be the first on the line. Keep that head on a swivel and don't lose focus. But seriously don't be afraid to ask questions... anyone who says they know everything doesn't know a damn thing. Keep learning and spread that knowledge and positive attitude to you fellow mates
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u/GoodbyeRiver Jul 29 '25
Stay off your phone when you’re on the rig.
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Jul 29 '25
[deleted]
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u/GoodbyeRiver Jul 29 '25
That’s a pretty low standard lady. Things that can be learned while paying attention on the back: 1. Territory 2. Hydrant locations 3. How to talk on the radio by listening to traffic. 4. Looking for headers. 5. Learning how to drive by paying attention to the driver.
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u/Ok-NeatThanks Jul 29 '25
I agree with you, some people just can't help but start from zero when it's time to take the next step. Meanwhile their class mates already absorbed 75% of it by paying attention. I guess somebody's gotta be last in line.
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u/Kboi92 PM/FF SPFR Jul 29 '25
Why are you wearing your hood sitting in the unit? Shouldn’t that be down until you put you mask on then you pull it up, unless you just want to take pictures. Then I can tell the type of firefighter you are..
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u/TheAlmightyTOzz Jul 29 '25
I kinda want those lips on mine 😘
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u/Excellent-Plane-574 Jul 28 '25
Stay curious and keep a good attitude. You’ll do fine.