Where firefighters come to talk training

What do you do to prepare your new firefighters??

It seems like we've gotten into a really bad habit of telling our new firefighters when they walk in the door, to "Shut up and speak only if you're spoken to!" First off, that's a horrible way to start off someone's fire service career. Second, it does nothing but curb the enthusiasm that we all complain that our new guys don't have in the first place.

…so what do you do or what does your department do, to prepare your new firefighters for their first day and first few months on the job?

…what are you doing, programs, etc., to recruit new firefighters both on the paid side and the volunteer side?

…I know we've gotten much better at controlling some of the “out-of-bounds” practical jokes that go on. Yes, a lot of them are fun and well worth it, but I think we’ve really gotten away from some of the really stupid stuff that we used to do. Your thoughts?

…have you read Battalion Chief Jerry Wells’ article in the December issue of Fire Engineering “The Rookie Firefighter” and what are you doing differently?

Isn’t this where a lot of the Pride and Ownership stuff should be starting, with our new firefighters??

Let’s hear what ya got!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rick Lasky on July 16, 2008 at 10:28pm

What a great program brother. There are a lot of places that would do so well if they did just part of it.

Thanks brother and be safe!

Rick

Permalink Reply by Dennis E Sampson on August 22, 2008 at 8:29pm

Hello Chief,

Just a note to say hope all is well !! I have attached some photos as a post reply of our tradition of rookie firefighters graduating. Our rookie on the right picture 1) learning and feeling the brotherhood after car fire training in his last class at the Fire Academy. Picture 2) receiving his Shield at Graduation with the company crew below and 3) getting the traditional watercan wet down. The Graduation was held at the County Police Academy while our Fire Academy is undergoing expansion

STAY SAFE !! Dennis

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