I want to be better on the fireground

[u/mrguy_i-wanna-die]

I come from a fire department that went full time only pretty recently which in turn lost a lot of the experienced part timers and variety with experience. Now i dont have much issue with the department itself or my peers. But i feel i cannot rely on shift training being sufficient to train me to be on par with conduct unbecoming/get after it firemen.

Im really ready to become that and can identify several weaknesses i need to improve on.

Fitness is something im getting in order, and honestly i feel i have come up to par with fitness. I swim and i weight lift regularly. To heat train ive picked up running and its pretty damn hot where im at. Its mostly nutrition i am very lacking in. I drink about a gallon of water a day but im struggling eating simple things at work because i simply dont know/think about what to bring to work. I can tell if i eat better i will gain some more weight and be less of a string bean.

I can recognize i am the new guy who hasnt had a lot of life experience prior to this job when it comes to cooking/house life. I came from a pretty harsh family which made cooking a problem haha. But it also translates to me not having a lot of role model figures to teach me how to take things apart and put things back together. Which is something im having a hard time trying to keep up with with my limited experience on the job.

Fundamentals are not hammered in for me. My department is very big on doing trainings on things that dont happen often and it is expected of crews to take advantage of training fundamentals together. Ive been moved stations and a platoon a couple times since starting and my crew i think has a good base at this point where i am and we do trainings on those fundamentals way more than my other crews did which has bitten me in the ass. Im using every resource i can at work and its working out well my crews been amazing. But i really want to become a true fireman and i am struggling to feel like im adequately trained at this stage of my career because i find myself slipping up on those basic fundamental things.

To cut to the chase i really want to know what things you do on your own to become confident you can perform on the fire ground with your crew no matter the task such as podcasts, Youtube channels, specific workout splits/focuses, health advice etc.

I would love to hear some advice from all around the board right now.

[u/Shenanigans64]

Just my 2 cents, but even the most complicated stuff we do on the fire ground is just the basics strung together.

Every shift my crew quick masks together for our “SCBA check” When I’m checking the rig I start the saws and practice vertical vent by going through the motions with the running saw. I pull the ladders off the rig and toss all of them up against the station. I grab the irons and force a door or two on our prop.

My crew is also very big on doing area familiarization of target hazard buildings. If we can we take 5 min to stretch hand lines, put ladders up and discuss building construction and expected layouts. Usually this is while returning from a call or while grabbing coffee.

None of it takes very long and all of it gets you repetitions in a low stress environment so that you’ll have fantastic basics on the fireground.

[u/glinks → u/Shenanigans64]

When I got to my station at a full time department, my first 20 shifts, my captain had me do “3 minute drills” with the crew. Gear up, go en route, take a hydrant, pull a line. These are things that a good engine company knows they will do on every fire. Extrication, venting, forcible entry, ladders, etc. is sexy and cool, but rare. Perfect the bread and butter, then build off a solid foundation was my captain’s philosophy. I’ve moved on to a smaller department, and all the new guys want to vent and force doors, but still fuck up the hydrants, gear, and hose deployments.

[u/Shenanigans64 → u/glinks]

We’ve got a truck company and an engine out of one of our houses (truck has no pump or hose). So I guess it depends on the rig you’re working on. But I agree, the basics are the most important.

[u/Golfandrun]

Learn everything you can about FLOW PATHS and fire behavior.

Learn how to properly pull a preconnect without making spaghetti on the street.

Do tasks (not fireground) around the station with your BA until it becomes natural to you.

Practice situational awareness. Wherever you are look for things that could be hazards and address them. This is the opposite of being a klutz. A cup or fork on the edge of a table. A can on the edge of a shelf. An axe not quite stowed properly. When it becomes habit to look for problems you will be much better on the fireground.

Learn what's in your NFPA manual.

Learn building construction. There are many reasons to know how building components work.

[u/mrguy_i-wanna-die → u/Golfandrun]

Thank you so much! Nfpa manual has been a tool i didnt know i needed lately to help understand the whys

[u/Traditional_Common22]

Just train, I remember being very new and wanting to be good. There is no finish line, in your career you will always strive to be better and that will make you good. Be critical on yourself but understanding of failures as they will happen. I’ve fucked up 100009090009000 times, but I rarely make the same mistake twice

[u/mrguy_i-wanna-die → u/Traditional_Common22]

Yeah getting ahead of myself a bit. I think im just unhappy with my current abilities and am grasping straws trying to get better since the newness isnt as prominent as when i first got out on operations

[u/Direct-Training9217]

There are 3 things you can do by yourself (but an extra person makes it more fun) 1. Mask up drills 2. Pull lines (even if you don't have a crew that wants too or a reserve engine, just find extra house and practice shoulder loads) 3. Throw ladders (may have to get driver to pull rig out)

If you get masking up and pulling lines down to the point where their automatic, it will free up your brain to look at the structure and think about what's going on around you. Also nothing is scarier than the people behind you telling you to hurry up.

Also FDNY forcible entry manual is a really good read

[u/rodeo302 → u/Direct-Training9217]

Where cab is find the FDNY manual? I have started teaching forceable entry on one of my departments and would like to have more answers to questions and something to point to for info.

[u/Direct-Training9217 → u/rodeo302]

Just google it. Here ya go

https://truckcompanyops.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/FDNY-Forcible-Entry.pdf

[u/mrguy_i-wanna-die → u/Direct-Training9217]

Thanks! Saved it

[u/mrguy_i-wanna-die → u/Direct-Training9217]

Thank you thank you. All that is super helpful

[u/catfishjohn69]

Do something every shift to get better. In five years you will be a badass

[u/mrguy_i-wanna-die → u/catfishjohn69]

Thank you john i appreciate it

[u/a_frayed_knot_today]

First off, you cannot rush experience. It comes with time, calls and seeing/ experiencing things. Train on something daily, even if it’s by yourself. Learn to recognize what you’re good at and work on the things you realize you’re not good at. When the experienced guys are talking, LISTEN. You can learn through their experiences. At home- meal prep! Make a large batch of things like chicken, rice and a vegetable and portion them out to bring with you. It takes time but you’ll get there.

[u/mrguy_i-wanna-die → u/a_frayed_knot_today]

Thank you. Def dipping my fingers into food prep. This was definitely a neglected skill of mine going into the job