r/Firefighting 1h ago

Ask A Firefighter What’s the merit of one or the other?

Upvotes

Hi all. I’m currently in the process of looking at making the jump from my current job of industrial firefighting to an actual department. Right now I’m in the process of looking between two big departments while I finish up my paramedic school and finishing some other fire classes. I’m looking between south metro Fire Rescue and working as a civilian for the U.S. Air Force as a firefighter. If anyone has worked for either one I’d appreciate a comparative. I’ve tossed both for over a year and would like to hear form the people who work their


r/Firefighting 2h ago

Photos Hong kong fire services department mini fire van

0 Upvotes

The mini fire van is a vehicle of the HKFSD for firefighting in the outlying islands(e.g. cheung chau or lamma island) where the roads are narrow;

it's really cute honestly

Source

https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/gallery/fireappliances/MT-PM.html


r/Firefighting 2h ago

General Discussion Japanese Firefighters - Probation?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I myself am Not a Firefighter, but am Curious about it. Although I was born and raised in Canada, I'm curious about other countries Firefighting. So, my question is for Japanese Firefighters -

How long did your probation period last, if you had one? And when did you start getting to do more Serious Calls?


r/Firefighting 3h ago

General Discussion What type of watch do you use?

5 Upvotes

I've seen people where Fitbits to G-Shocks to Garmin's. Even saw a provide where a Rolex, which didn't last long.


r/Firefighting 5h ago

General Discussion Week 4 of recruit school completed! Love my class and the training, you have to want this mentally, I look forward to staying focused and graduating.

7 Upvotes

Just completed confined space and aced a test 💪🏾


r/Firefighting 8h ago

Photos Best job in the world……..Gotta love it 🔥🚒

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229 Upvotes

r/Firefighting 11h ago

Photos Cambridge, MA - What are these signs?

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49 Upvotes

What do the circled signs mean? I know FDC is the fire department connection. The sign under that is max pump in pressure.

Someone said it means you guys aren't supposed to enter the building to fight a fire. If that's the case, doesn't it completely defeat the purpose of the FDC and standpipe being live?


r/Firefighting 11h ago

News Maine FFs avoid booby traps while fighting brush fire at homeless encampment

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42 Upvotes

r/Firefighting 12h ago

General Discussion Sleep aids and weighted blankets

27 Upvotes

So not to long ago I made a post about how terrible I slept at the fire station and have tried multiple different things to try and make my sleep better. I recently tried a weighted blanket for one night. We woke up for a call at 3 am and I decided to to try out the blanket that night. Usually most of us cant go back to sleep after waking up from a call like that later in the morning. It took me a while but when I finally did go back to sleep I slept past shift change and that has never happened. Years of searching just to discover a weighted bink bink would solve it.


r/Firefighting 16h ago

General Discussion Hose testing this week. When does your dept normally do it?

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30 Upvotes

For my dept the Chief designated August to test the hoses. He also designated Sept to Nov for hydrant testing. Some of the guys don't like testing hoses because of the heat but at the end of the day, its part of our job. We start early right after morning check offs so the weather is tolerable.


r/Firefighting 17h ago

Photos Would you as a firefighter wear these?

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0 Upvotes

I'm hoping to become a firefighter. In situations where I'm not wearing a SCBA, but there's still smoke or ash around, I think something like this would be a good idea to wear to help prevent inhaling some of the toxic shit in the air. Has anyone tried this before?


r/Firefighting 17h ago

General Discussion Jobs before I can get before getting hired on

9 Upvotes

I’m 18 right now soon to be 19 and I have my pre service firefighting degree.

What’s a good job to work before I get hired on? For example I recently put in a request to work with St. John Ambulance.

Any suggestions on jobs I can get with an EMR licence as well? What jobs did you have before you became a firefighter?


r/Firefighting 1d ago

Ask A Firefighter Question about Radio Strap

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73 Upvotes

Hello there folks, I’m a 15yo Explorer and was recently able to pickup a radio strap for free through my program and was just wondering one thing, what is this extra strap/ piece and what does it do, I don’t know what it’s called so I wasn’t able to research it so I turned here for help! (I’m holding it in the picture)


r/Firefighting 1d ago

General Discussion Medic joining a volunteer department - what should I expect? Any tips for new guys?

8 Upvotes

Hey there. Paramedic here. I have a fitness test at the volly station I'm joining tomorrow. I have very minimal experience working at a fire department. I'm joining to gain more certs and to see if I enjoy the other side of public safety. Any tips on being the new guy? Things that can help me be a good member of my station? The service I'm joining does QRS- but I'm under the impression that I'll be there only paramedic there. Any good ideas for QRS?

I know it's a super broad question. Thanks everyone.


r/Firefighting 1d ago

General Discussion Looking for 48/96 guys who can help me out

22 Upvotes

Looking for guys who work on 48/96 departments. Our department is researching it and would love people to talk to. Please pm me if you can!


r/Firefighting 1d ago

Ask A Firefighter stupid question but uh does ‘class 1’ or ‘class 2’ on a fire truck’s livery mean something

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133 Upvotes

r/Firefighting 1d ago

General Discussion Ricky Rescue Fire Officer Course?

0 Upvotes

Has anyone not from Florida used Ricky Rescue website to take their Fire Officer 1 course? I live in a state where Fire Officer is not a separate certification, but you need a certificate from an officer 1 course as a prerequisite for some other courses, like Safety Officer, certain command classes, etc. Thanks in advance.


r/Firefighting 1d ago

Ask A Firefighter Problems raising the Spartan Gladiator cabin

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20 Upvotes

Good afternoon, at my base we have a 2004 Spartan Gladiator Classi truck. The cabin won't rise. Is there any support for where the air relay is? Does it have a spacer? Does it have something to do with it since a nut is lost? Any help is appreciated.


r/Firefighting 1d ago

General Discussion I want to be better on the fireground

14 Upvotes

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.


r/Firefighting 1d ago

General Discussion Border Patrol agents arrested firefighters fighting Washington wildfire after they asked the fire crew to line up to check their IDs.

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3.5k Upvotes

What do we all think of this? Seems pretty nuts to me. They are actively getting in the way of wildlands guys as they do their job out there. I dont think this should be allowed or encouraged. Firefighting is a lot more important than .... risking 20 guys dressed exactly like firefighters crossing the Canadian border?


r/Firefighting 1d ago

General Discussion Cleaning clothing & other items after a flat fire

3 Upvotes

Hiya, my apartment building burnt for 14 hours last week and I was only just able to access my flat to recover valuables. My apartment itself wasn't damaged by fire but it was affected by the flooding / smoke and now everything smells like BBQ.

I understand that the smell & smoke particles are incredibly difficult to get out and I'm planning on getting rid of most of my clothes and items. However, for the sentimental pieces (like my hand-knit, 100% wool jumpers, or my childhood stuffed animal) does anyone have an idea of how much professional (ozone?) treatment would cost? I'm worried about carcinogens and the smell of burnt beef following me forever. Also, are beauty products like moisturizers safe to use?

I did not have contents insurance as I had only moved in the week before the fire and hadn't gotten round to finishing the insurance application. I'm based in the UK.


r/Firefighting 1d ago

General Discussion New ladder truck adjustment

10 Upvotes

What's up guys, my Dept. just got a new mid-mount platform 100' ladder. I was trained on a 105' rear-mount platform ladder. I know there's gonna be a learning curve on the transition, but for the truckies out here, what differences on set-up can I look forward to?


r/Firefighting 2d ago

General Discussion MSA G1 SCBA and cardio fitness.

9 Upvotes

I am not confident about my abilities wearing an SCBA. I feel I use my air too quickly. I go from a full tank to the bell going off in 15:33 while climbing stairs at a moderate pace. I want to improve. If you have any suggestions let me hear them. I am fairly new to fire service.


r/Firefighting 2d ago

General Discussion Mississippi Firefighters- 35 Years and no COLA

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102 Upvotes

A new Mississippi law is making all new people hired on for police/fire to put in 35 years of service before they are eligible for their retirement, and no cost of living adjustment.

When a state senator was asked about how it’ll affect recruiting “They can do something else.”

Their state usually ranks at the bottom of rankings, so residents of other states near the bottom can still say, "Thank God for Mississippi.”


r/Firefighting 2d ago

Photos Enjoy this photo from the local airport doing ARFF training

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28 Upvotes