KNOWING YOUR ROLE...A MUST READ FOR ALL PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS

So you just completed and graduated from your fire academy. You are about to report to your shift for the first time and meet the firefighters that you will be working with, possibly for the next 15 to 20 years.

Excitement is running through your body, but as you sit and think, there is so much you still don't know. Your anxiety level rises, nerves kick in, butterflies began to flutter in your stomach. Don't worry, all of that is natural and is something every other probationary firefighter has gone through.

Now the profession of firefighting is difficult in general, but the probationary period of a firefighter is usually the most difficult part of their career. IT SHOULD BE THAT WAY. The probationary period, which could last anywhere from 12 to 24 months, is the period when a good, solid fire department will challenge you. This time of "probation" should not be taken lightly, it is the time when your actions or non-actions are watched with a very close eye. Termination during this period is a great possibility, due to the probation period and you being "at will" during this time frame. It can take a firefighter their whole career to establish a good reputation, it can take a firefighter only one shift to establish a bad reputation. So again, what you do or don't do really makes a difference during your probationary period.

You may be wondering why after spending over a year in the academy everyone is watching everything you do under a microscope? There are multiple answers for doing so and believe it or not most of the reasons have nothing to do with "hazing" or just being an ass. These firefighters, that you will be riding with want to ensure that the probie has retained the information he/she was taught. They also want to try and help bring that probationary firefighter to the next level - the street smart level of being a firefighter. A probationary firefighter will learn that text book firefighting (including EMS) and real life firefighting are two different things.

No one has the right or the authority to harass or intimidate you as a probationary firefighter. BUT the other members of your crew and department have the right to push you to see exactly what you are made of and how you handle situations. If you think about it, they are actually obligated to push and test you, since it is their life you may be saving one day.

As a probationary firefighter you will be evaluated (on everything from pulling hose to washing dishes), you will be pushed (emotionally and physically), and you will be judged (on your abilities and attitude) by your crew and other firefighters. Through all of that if a probationary firefighter were to actually pay attention they will realize they are being educated and prepared to become a functioning member of the crew.

Over the last few years, we have noticed that fire academy's are producing more and more INO firefighters. These firefighters, that are still on probation, no matter what they are told or who it is being told by, they already know. These are firefighters that probably do very well in the academy, they retain what they "read" very well. Yet when it comes to actually applying that knowledge on the streets they fumble. The moment a veteran or experienced firefighter tries to show them how things might be done easier or correctly the INO firefighter responds with I KNOW. Hence the name INO firefighter.

A probationary firefighter will know how to tie a figure 8 knot, what to pump to 200' of 1 3/4 pre-connect hose line, how to raise a ladder using the proper angle raise. BUT are these firefighters taught to show up at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their shift, to use liquid disinfectant to clean the latrines because it will take 2 shifts for the dry powder to wash down the drain, to be the last one to sit and the first one up when eating chow, to not be in the dorm area sleeping or watching television prior to 8 o'clock. The list goes on and on.

These are things that are not taught in academy and usually learned the hard way by probationary firefighters. We here are going to list a few things that may help a probationary firefighter get through that period a little easier, if they are followed. 

* ARRIVE EARLY - Arrive at work at least 30 minutes before your shift begins. This gives you plenty of time to familiarize yourself with your apparatus and equipment. This also allows the crew you are relieving to go home a few minutes early. THIS TIP SHOULD BE FOLLOWED THROUGHOUT YOUR ENTIRE CAREER.

* BE SOCIAL - This means introduce yourself to everyone you meet. Look them straight in the eyes and use a firm handshake when introducing yourself. Make sure you always start with the Station Officer.

* BE PRODUCTIVE - This means that you do not wait for someone to tell you what needs to be done. You just do everything and someone will tell you to stop if need be. If the phone rings you answer it, if someone knocks on the door you open it, after chow you wash the dishes, sweep and mop. What ever you do, do not ever just watch others doing something.

* 1ST TO RISE AND LAST TO SLEEP -  Being the last to bed gives you the opportunity to make sure the station in tidy and secure. This will ensure less work in the morning as well. This is also a great time to catch up on some studies or maps. Make sure you are the first crew member up in the morning and make sure the coffee is brewed, even if you do not drink it. This will build a lot of respect from the other crew members.

* LEAVE YOU EGO IN THE CAR - Do not think "Been There and Done That" or "Yea I Know That". Celebrations in the fire service are very short lived. You are only as good as your last call, so do not be overconfident or cocky. Remember you will never know it all and there is always something to learn from someone.

* RESPECT YOUR SENIORS - In the fire service there is an extensive amount of experience and information held in the minds of senior firefighters. To them you are just the kid that just got out of the academy and they will remind you of that as often as they can. It is always good to share your opinion with them but don't forget that these firefighters have paid their dues and may not see change at this point in the career as important as you do. Make sure to respect that fact.

* PAY IT FORWARD - This is probably the most important tip of all. As time goes by you will move from probationary firefighter to experienced firefighter. There will come a time when you will be the senior firefighter or even Station Officer. So do not forget how it felt to be in those probationary firefighting boots. The firefighters of tomorrow deserve the same respect and tutelege that you received. Take that probie under your wing as someone did for you. Help them reach that level of street smart firefighting that you are at now. The fire service is one full of traditions. One of the best traditions it has is the training of young probationary firefighters by senior firefighters. These guys do not get FTO pay, they were not told they have to do anything for the new guys. They do it because someone did it for them, passing down the tradition.

Being a probationary firefighter is not an easy time period. Then again firefighting in general is not easy. Remember this: YOU ARE A PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER AND THE MEANS SOMEONE ELSE IS NOT. REMEMBER THAT YOU BEAT OUT HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FOR THAT POSITION. REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WISHING THEY WERE IN YOUR SPOT AS A PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER. SO AS HARD AS IT MAY BE, REMEMBER IT IS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER PROFESSIONS IN THE WORLD. ENJOY IT, GET THROUGH IT, AND PASS IT ON.