[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Volunteer Firefighting (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 4/5/2017 12:59:30 PM EDT
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Trying out a local district volunteer firefighting gig... and have no idea what I've gotten myself into. The training for everyone else started last week, but the training chief said I didn't miss much and threw me in with that group so my first time was last night. Which was the first time I had even walked through the doors. I didn't even know where to park. I have no idea what the volunteer position really is/does, the expectations, the terminology... but they threw me in so yee haw. I really hate feeling stupid and real don't want to be in the way. I'm with a class of about six. three guys that seem to be about 18 and a day years old, one middle aged dude and another guy like me, ie somewhere in between those two groups, kinda quiet (or at least not annoying), with a career and all that already. He actually owns the gym I go to. We all got issued a bunch of used gear and then did a classroom session for way too long on maps and radio freqs. Do they really want the brand new guys talking on the radios? Anyway it was just really overwhelming and intimidating and imo I either missed out on a lot of the introduction stuff or a better introduction to, well everything, would go a long way.
We're starting with wildland and vehicle training now throughout the summer, then go to structure in the fall and ems in the winter. A lot of online training and the rest is just a few hours in the evenings a couple times a month and a full weekend day every so often. It is paid, couple bucks more than min wage, but I'm doing it for the experience, not the money. I'm sure theres people here that have done this before. Any tips or info you can share? Also any specific boot recommendations? Apparently they need to be 8" full leather... but not even sure when Im supposed to wear those so... |
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Did they issue you the light bar and stickers for your truck yet? I would assume that happens on the first day, make sure you didn't miss it |
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Do they really want the brand new guys talking on the radios? As a former flight instructor and someone who also trained SWOs how to drive ships, the following three steps, in this order, will serve you well on the radio: 1. Think (of what you want to say) 2. Squeeze (the transmit button) 3. Talk (what you thought, nothing more, nothing less) Getting those out of order can be annoying, hilarious, or both 
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| Spent 9 years on. Best advice is to just shut up and listen. Your initial classes are just the basics...the real training will come over time when you get with your station and Get more advanced trainings and on scene experience. Don't be over-whelmed...ask lots of questions and don't be "that guy" that thinks they know everything. Even if the class doesn't make sense since you are new...still pay attention as they are NFPA required and the skills/knowledge will be needed over time. You'll be fine...quit over-thinking it. |
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Did you voice your questions to someone in charge? Volly departments can very widely on quality. You should have researched the department before jumping on. Besides...... You're a proby. Wash my truck and you better know how to cook. |
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I thought that more than a few times last night 
Just weird that when you see them, you think of first responders as all trained and junk... Just mouth shut and ears open, and you'll be fine. Hear everyone, listen to a select few. It's rewarding, and enjoyable. Just have to stay out of the BS. Don't do what I did and become a line officer. Ever.
ETA: everyone in my outfit will carie a handie-talkie while on a call. Best advice is to stay off it, unless an extremely hazardous situation presents itself. See a wall bowing out? Say that over the radio. Worried about what you should be doing? Don't. PTT is push to talk, not push to think. |
| Leathers are the way to go...can't remember the brands...but I'm surprised your paying them. Id be wearing them all the time on any scene unless it's an EMS call or wildland (steel toed is what we wore). Hopefully your department is all gear...all the time. You'd be surprised how many departments don't require turn out gear on MVCs. |
| I had a great experience as a volly, i spent 4 years with a small town dept before i moved that ran around 300+ calls a year, but we ran alot of very nasty car accidents and worked as a BLS ambulance agency. I really didn't give a shit about the firematic side, unless there was a life hazard, fire kinda bored me. But i really enjoyed the rescue side of the fire company. They paid for my EMT, and we did alot of vehicle extrication training that was very valuable, and pretty cool i got to use it fairly frequently. It seemed much more thrilling working a nasty car accident, or a farming accident or anything where i got to test my skills in the field and actually save people, vs put their barn fire out(that will basically always be a total loss). |
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We are a small rural department it is pretty quiet on the fire side we do maybe 40-50 calls a year. We are in a college town so many automatic alarms of fire burnt cookies and popcorn. We probably see 3-5 structure fires a year most of those are mutual aid. We might do two interior attacks in a year. Most are due to chimney fires and balloon construction with lots and lots of fire load from poor people hoarding anything they can get their hands on.
I enjoy it most of the time what I hate is all the standing around when the work is done. Just let me go home if we are done. |
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Trying out a local district volunteer firefighting gig... and have no idea what I've gotten myself into. The training for everyone else started last week, but the training chief said I didn't miss much and threw me in with that group so my first time was last night. Which was the first time I had even walked through the doors. I didn't even know where to park. I have no idea what the volunteer position really is/does, the expectations, the terminology... but they threw me in so yee haw. I really hate feeling stupid and real don't want to be in the way. I'm with a class of about six. three guys that seem to be about 18 and a day years old, one middle aged dude and another guy like me, ie somewhere in between those two groups, kinda quiet (or at least not annoying), with a career and all that already. He actually owns the gym I go to. We all got issued a bunch of used gear and then did a classroom session for way too long on maps and radio freqs. Do they really want the brand new guys talking on the radios? Anyway it was just really overwhelming and intimidating and imo I either missed out on a lot of the introduction stuff or a better introduction to, well everything, would go a long way. We're starting with wildland and vehicle training now throughout the summer, then go to structure in the fall and ems in the winter. A lot of online training and the rest is just a few hours in the evenings a couple times a month and a full weekend day every so often. It is paid, couple bucks more than min wage, but I'm doing it for the experience, not the money. I'm sure theres people here that have done this before. Any tips or info you can share? Also any specific boot recommendations? Apparently they need to be 8" full leather... but not even sure when Im supposed to wear those so... Matterhorn, steel toed, mining boots, 12" or 13"......that's what I was issued |
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It ain't rocket science just look at some of the people you are training with. 
Seriously thank you for volunteering. Out here most of the fire response is 911 and they can be invaluable. |
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So heres a dumbass question that I hope exemplifies how much I dont know, the wild land pants and shirts, hell the turn out coat and pants too, you just wear your regular clothes under those or what? And I kept (among other things on me) a spare nomex hood in the top of my helmet so I could have a dry one on a long job. |
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So heres a dumbass question that I hope exemplifies how much I dont know, the wild land pants and shirts, hell the turn out coat and pants too, you just wear your regular clothes under those or what? |
| For the guys that have done wildland volunteer (where you dont have shifts at the station) do you keep a bag packed either in your car or at your house so if you get a call you've got a few extras like socks, water, granola bar type stuff to mow down on while in route or is that not a thing? I know Im not there yet by any means but am interested to hear. |
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Good on you OP, I was a volunteer about 20 years ago and enjoyed it. Can't hack it anymore physically or I would still be doing it.
Just keep your mouth shut till you get talked to and someone (probably a full timer) will see and take you under their wing at some point if you show up and want to learn. Enjoy Burn to learn! If that's what they still call it :) |
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For the guys that have done wildland volunteer (where you dont have shifts at the station) do you keep a bag packed either in your car or at your house so if you get a call you've got a few extras like socks, water, granola bar type stuff to mow down on while in route or is that not a thing? I know Im not there yet by any means but am interested to hear. He has some other good vids as well covering every item carried in his personal ruck |
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After 16 years as a volunteer in a large combination department, all I can say is good luck and God bless. I gave it up a couple years ago after life consumed all that free time I used to have. If you're serious about it, it will all but totally consume your social life and free time. At one point I was a Lieutenant, operator trainer, extrication instructor, rope rescue instructor, and confined space team member, but there were still guys doing even more than I was.
Do yourself and find the most gung-ho old guy there and make nice with him. You'll learn all the good stuff that way. |
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been volunteering since 1984 at multiple departments. Most of the training is not hard but is physical. a good department can be a lot of fun with good training a people. a bad department can get you killed. If you don't feel your command is qualified or is more worried about glory and than protecting your ass, find a new department. Vol departs range from awesome to actually dangerous.
i am currently a capt on a dept. in another community. i refuse to work with the one in my town due to the retard factor being off the rails. i was offered the deputy chief job last year and turned it down. some advice for a rookie..... 1. Safety comes first. 100% of the time ALL the time. 2. SLOW DOWN.. don't get killed for someone else's emergency, the dept doesn't have enough insurance to cover your injuries and support your family if you die. see #1 3. don't get upset if you get yelled at on a scene. adrenalin is dumping and we don't have time to give instructions twice. it's not personal it's about getting things done quickly. 4. Don't over think things. If you don't know ASK. i would rather you tell me you don't know how to run the pumps than to have me wondering for 20 min where my water is at a fire. 5. Even if you are authorized light and sirens POV, your lights are making a request to get through traffic, it's not a right. Drive safely, drive sanely and get to the scene. 1-2min extra won't make a difference in the outcome and may determine if you get there at all. see #1. 6. at EVERY scene, when you arrive step out of your vehicle, take a deep breath and LOOK and LISTEN to the scene. this gets your head straight and lets you see or hear threats in the area. like noticing the live power line across the vehicle at the wreck. once again see #1. 7. Take pride in the condition of your gear. Keep it clean and in good repair. dirty gear hides damage than may get you injured. It also holds chemical residues from smoke and other nasties that can lead to respiratory issues and cancer long term. WASH YOUR GEAR EVERY FIRE... and not at home! 8. Know your personal limitations. Know when it's time to sit down, know what you can't do physically and know when to rehab. more than a few guys in good shape have injured themselves pushing too hard. 9.yearly physicals. get them, let your doc know what you do. i failed my pulmonary test this year and am off the fire line now. Lots of guys in decent shape die hours after a response from heart attacks. Adrenaline dumps mixed chemical and smoke exposure do very bad things to your body. 10. NEVER act alone. Never leave a fellow FF alone, EVER. even on mundane calls it protects you legally from complaints. 11... see #1 |
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I'm a Lt at an urban Vol department... we handle 1500 calls a year... mostly ems... We have half a dozen real house fires a year, about a dozen car fires, and probably 20-30 misc small fires (garbage cans, mulch, etc). I did my EMT last year on their dime (I don't need it for anything else my day job is in IT)...
For our new members they get 6 months probation... If they meet their numbers, 40% of fire calls, all squad calls (squad is when you cover the overnight ems calls - one week on three off) and have no other problems you get voted in... then you have two years to finish FireFighter 1 or you voted out... FireFighter one is now around 100 hours of training... you don't go inside a fire until its finished... during drills you do... It can consume all your time if you let/want it to... I don't... I go to my calls, meetings and drills and some social activities but not all of them... I got two kids that are fast approaching the age when they'll be leaving and I don't want to miss it... Oh... I joined when I was 35... I'm 41 now |
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They do reimburse up to $200 for boots. I figured Whites but if the guys that have btdt have something else they'd recommend... Yeah Im big on shutting up and jumping in, but dont mind asking for help either. |
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For the guys that have done wildland volunteer (where you dont have shifts at the station) do you keep a bag packed either in your car or at your house so if you get a call you've got a few extras like socks, water, granola bar type stuff to mow down on while in route or is that not a thing? I know Im not there yet by any means but am interested to hear. 
Packing a Red Bag |
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White's quality has really taken a shit in the past few years. They were sold to a Japanese company I think (somewhere over in Asia). Even guys who send used ones in for a rebuild are getting shitty results. Nick's Boots is the new hotness if you still want a logger style boot. More and more guys are going to hiking style boots. I switched from White's to the Scarpa Fuego last year. They are hell to break in, but I don't roll my ankles anymore and the traction is amazing. |
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I'm a Lt at an urban Vol department... we handle 1500 calls a year... mostly ems... We have half a dozen real house fires a year, about a dozen car fires, and probably 20-30 misc small fires (garbage cans, mulch, etc). I did my EMT last year on their dime (I don't need it for anything else my day job is in IT)... For our new members they get 6 months probation... If they meet their numbers, 40% of fire calls, all squad calls (squad is when you cover the overnight ems calls - one week on three off) and have no other problems you get voted in... then you have two years to finish FireFighter 1 or you voted out... FireFighter one is now around 100 hours of training... you don't go inside a fire until its finished... during drills you do... It can consume all your time if you let/want it to... I don't... I go to my calls, meetings and drills and some social activities but not all of them... I got two kids that are fast approaching the age when they'll be leaving and I don't want to miss it... Oh... I joined when I was 35... I'm 41 now |
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So heres a dumbass question that I hope exemplifies how much I dont know, the wild land pants and shirts, hell the turn out coat and pants too, you just wear your regular clothes under those or what? For structure...your standard station pant will be a blue nomex and that can go under bunker gear if you have time. Plenty of calls get answered in athletic shorts and a department t-shirt under bunker gear. Try not to wear flammable clothing...polyester, etc. |
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Good to know. Im a big backpacker so thats where all my boot experience is at. |
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Make sure you park your POV directly in front of the house that's on fire if you arrive first. That way the driver of the fire truck knows which house is on fire. If you don't, fear not, the cops will usually take care of that. Also you owe it to your crew members to let them know everything that you really dislike or bothers you. Write down any pet peeves, and don't forget to put a star next to the things that you really hate. If there is a chalkboard in the day room, that's a good place to write down your list. The fire service is not as rigid, structurally, as say the police. The Chief likes to keep things informal so call him by his first name. Make sure you don't get pushed around, so if you didn't make the mess, don't feel the need to clean it up. If anyone tells a really good war story, if they are descriptive enough, that's the same as you really being there. Feel free to repeat the story as your own. Chicks dig the war stories. Meetings and training usually never get started on time, so don't rush. There is always a 15 buffer time in the beginning.
Seriously though, the single most important thing that you can do to save the lives of people trapped inside of a burning building is getting a hoseline in place and extinguishing the fire. Everything gets better once the fire is out. Even without being trained in SCBA use and entering the building, you can greatly assist in getting that line in place, thus saving lives. Locate, confine, then extinguish. In that order. Also, from Norman, "too much fire, more water, if its too hot, more ventilation. Other than that, cook at 350*, pump at 150, A/C thermostat at 72*. |
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Cotton undies and t-shirt under your wildland gear is fine (I'm assuming you'll be issued standard greens and yellow shirt). Don't try to cram your normal clothes under there. You'll be hot and limit your movement. For structure...your standard station pant will be a blue nomex and that can go under bunker gear if you have time. Plenty of calls get answered in athletic shorts and a department t-shirt under bunker gear. Try not to wear flammable clothing...polyester, etc. Quoted:
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So heres a dumbass question that I hope exemplifies how much I dont know, the wild land pants and shirts, hell the turn out coat and pants too, you just wear your regular clothes under those or what? For structure...your standard station pant will be a blue nomex and that can go under bunker gear if you have time. Plenty of calls get answered in athletic shorts and a department t-shirt under bunker gear. Try not to wear flammable clothing...polyester, etc. |
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Hope you don't mind me asking which department, or at least geographic area.
You're new, everyone knows you're new. Ask questions, don't be the guy who doesn't ask questions and doesn't know what he is doing and then get put in a position where you need to roger up. Training and time spent at the station will alleviate a lot of your concerns, and it definitely can be a bit intimidating. Stick with it and you should be good to go. |
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I hope that you like politics  I responded to over 85% of the pages for a few years and still got shit if I missed a single call by the old timers. I decided between that and the social hour demeanor at times that I didn't need the hassle/stress and said fuck it within 3 years. Shortly after that I gave up my EMT-B license as well as I hated it with a fiery passion and only got it to help out. I was officially part time but lost interest in it quickly as it just wasn't for me. The wrecks on the FD side were my favorite and the fire was kind of meh. If it is anything like my old department be prepared to dedicate your life to the place or don't bother. I wouldn't have joined your department due to having to buy my own boots....I will donate time to the VFD but not the kind of money you are talking about. |
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I was a volunteer for four years.
Always expect the unexpected. After putting out a vehicle fire (ice cream truck), I opened the back door of the truck and found two five gallon gas cans...each about half full. The Chief was standing next to me and said, "Holy shit...THAT could have been exciting." Pay attention to what the experienced guys are telling you and listen to what they tell you. Even simple situations can change quickly and kill you. Enjoy the experience...I'd love to get back into it, but medical reasons prevent it. |
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So heres a dumbass question that I hope exemplifies how much I dont know, the wild land pants and shirts, hell the turn out coat and pants too, you just wear your regular clothes under those or what? |
Been a volly here in Ga for 10 years now, learned alot, seen alot, you will see shit you wish you hadn't, just part of it. First thing i learned in class, you can not save them all. If i could do it over, i absolutely would. There's nothing like going into a burning building, love working vehicle extrications. The technical aspect of it. Need to get off of my ass and go get my emt.... learn everything you can from the old timers. Don't be that guy, and enjoy the experience. It lead me into a career in public safety 
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Do you walk around all day with your firefighting shirt tucked in and radio on belt? Eta: just messing with you, good for you for volunteering |
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That was my experience as well. I responded to over 85% of the pages for a few years and still got shit if I missed a single call by the old timers. I decided between that and the social hour demeanor at times that I didn't need the hassle/stress and said fuck it within 3 years. Shortly after that I gave up my EMT-B license as well as I hated it with a fiery passion and only got it to help out. I was officially part time but lost interest in it quickly as it just wasn't for me. The wrecks on the FD side were my favorite and the fire was kind of meh. If it is anything like my old department be prepared to dedicate your life to the place or don't bother. I wouldn't have joined your department due to having to buy my own boots....I will donate time to the VFD but not the kind of money you are talking about. then end result was we were left with a lot of new folks with limited experience. thats an easy fix with good leadership and training. within a few months we had attracted several local guys that were professional ff's at big departments. they left due to the bs. in 2 years we turned a department that was a laughing stock of the county into a well respected department that now gets called for aid by larger areas because they trust us. the year we took over this department responded to 35 out 115 calls. of those responses over 1/2 were to let dispatch know we had no one to respond. they also collected only about 40% fire dues from the community. since we rebuilt we have missed one call in the last 24 months and it was a lift assist with an ems crew already on scene. this year we collected 95% dues from the community with very few complaints. the call volumes have also almost trippled. the community trusts the department and calls now vs driving to another dept for help. the moral of this story is leadership counts. a good department properly trains it's people and ensures they have the best gear possible. i have worked depts where training nights consisted of a case of beer and a bonfire. i have seen first responders and even fire chiefs respond drunk, and i have seen fire crews fist fight on a scene arguing over who own the call. if you see any of this walk away. you will end up injured or in court over stupidity. this is not endemic to only vol departments. i have seen issues in some paid depts as well, but they tend to be much less. |