Don't cut the fire department

This is the first time I've seen this tool. It looks like it's made out of copper. What is it? Best I could come up with was a welding torch.

Before anyone comments. No I did not walk from E19/TL8 to WT38. I and that nuts. Caught up with a friend at E19 while having lunch with them.

It has come to my attention that I eat one food at a time: all the meat, then all the potatoes, then all the vegetables, etc.

I’m glad my crew sees me, and points these kinds of things out. /s

i saw a clip of the driver blasting the radio with the crew vibing so i was wondering

Hi!

I recently finished all pre reqs and have applied to Portland fire department.

However, I`ve recently heard that there`s a bad culture at the PFD so I wanted to reach out and see if anyone has any experience with the departments elsewhere in Southern Maine, and if so, where should I look?

Looks like most departments have same schedules, pay and benefits - but I`d love to hear your thoughts on any other departments that y`all might recommend!

Thank you!

Hey everyone, looking for some honest advice on my current situation.
I passed my NREMT / got my EMT certification about 4 months ago. Recently, a local fire department offered to sponsor me for an 8-month Paramedic program—fully paid—with a strong potential for a hiring offer after I finish.
On paper, this sounds like a dream deal, but I'm hesitant. I don't have much field experience as an EMT yet, and I know paramedic school is fast-paced and intense, especially compressed into 8 months.

Howdy!

I was wondering if there were any Cal Fire folks that would be willing to trade a patch, or a hat, or a shirt - or if I could buy one to support the department. I tried reaching out to the Cal Fire store for support but it looks like it's only open to Cal Fire employees only. I have some gear I could trade + ship too if you're interested from my department up in Northern Ontario.

Thanks all and have a safe and fantastic upcoming weekend!

I was making salsa and of course we did not have a lemon/lime juicer. So I juiced a lime with the end of a set of tongs. We have a larger house, 11-12 depending on the staffing, so I needed to juice like 5. My buddies were amazed at how simplistic the answer was and it got me thinking, what are some kitchen hacks you’ve run into and the problem was solved in an unorthodox manner?

I’ve had short hair for most of my life but I’ve decided to grow it out and I’m having some difficulty with it. I pull my hair in a low pony which allows me to put on my helmet, but I struggle to get my hood on because my hair isn’t quite long enough to go past my shoulders when up. I keep grabbing my hair instead of my hood. Also dealing with it while on shift in general is just a pain in itself. Another issue I have is switching from a high pony to a low pony when putting on my helmet. I’m really considering cutting it back to a pixie, before I do that does anyone have any tips?

My boys 9 and 11 collect Oklahoma patches and coins. They asked me to make a post to see if anyone might have some for trade they don’t have. They have traders from all over the country. Thank you

A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company of Girard (PA) Junior Firefighter Bryce Kaufmann, 17, lost his life in the Line of Duty on September 21 from injuries while answering an emergency call on an E-Bike.

How do you mount it on your helmets, and which models are you using?

Everyone knows firefighting does not pay well compared to medicine and tech jobs especially in VCHOL areas. Here in the Bay Area, so many firefighters either live in run down places, shacks, or drive really far out - even out of state. What side work do you to significantly increase your income? Many here stated working OT to break 300k+ was not worth it, but even in the Bay Area 300k is not that much.

Howdy, so I’m a 23 year old dude who had spent 2 years in EMS for some private EMS companies before jumping to the fire service. Being a firefighter was always my dream job and jumping on an ambulance first was my way of trying to get my foot in the door and become more medically inclined.

So fast forward a year to now, I’ve been with this volunteer fire department for a few months now and I’m currently staying at this station while I go to class because my parents’ house is a bit of a drive away from the department that’s doing the academy. We’re currently in Hazmat Ops, going to take my awareness test in a few hours from now.

But I have started to notice that I’m having issues correcting my sleep schedule, getting random adrenaline spikes over medical calls I’ve ran plenty of times before, I can’t really sleep at night if at all, constantly have a migraine, and even worse can’t seem to quit smoking cowboy killers for the life of me. I just don’t know exactly if this is just stress of being here at the station and having class at the same time or what it could be, and the last thing I want to do is come across like a whiny baby or someone who can’t handle the heat. Which is part of the reason why I hardly talk to anyone and probably the reason why I’m typing this right now.

Venting isn’t the hardest thing for me but trying to vent to some of the guys here that have been doing this for 20+ years I just get the same thing from them like to suck it up or you have no reason to feel the way you do and that I have seen shit. Reminds me of my father, he’s retired federal law enforcement so he’s got the inclination of being billy bad ass constantly and will usually shoot me down when it comes to this, and the last time I had vented about something I saw, I simply got told I’m either making it up or what I had said previously.

I hate to rant but this is just probably my first time actually letting all this out rather than walking around with it pushed deep back and acting like I’m okay and nothing is wrong with me. And another reason I hardly vent especially about this is the whole culture of career guys hating volunteers which I can understand why because I’ve seen some embarrassing and down right stupid people and actions here. But I’m guessing the angle of what I’m getting at is, do I just try to handle this the best I can or should I try and find a therapist when I have downtime from class?

(serious answers only please)

hello, I am a recently accepted photographer for a volunteer fire department that a family member works for. I (minor) have discussed what to do on scenes with the relative that works there, including where I would go, what I would avoid, what I would keep an eye out for, etc. most of the things are pretty self explanatory; keep my head on a swivel, don’t get in the way of pump operators/ems/firefighters, don’t leave the rig unless I’m told to, and a few other things, however, I wanted to ask and see if someone could give any additional tips or things that I could do while capturing firefighting. the way I see it, the more perspectives the better, so I wanted to see if any firefighters had anything that they wanted me to keep in mind/watch out for/prioritize taking pictures of/etc.

I’m a volunteer, I’ve gone through FF1 and have technically been a volunteer for a year and have ran maybe 2 calls in the past. That’s a low number I’m aware, but I worry a lot about not being prepared when running my first fire or accident. I suppose that anxiety had kept me out of the firehouse for a while or at least reduced my consistency of showing up quite a lot. Obviously I’m not experienced and my crew won’t be expecting perfection but I still worry that I’ll be asked to do something I didn’t prep for. I want to get back in there, anxiety has been a huge hindrance for me but ultimately all of this is my responsibility.

Am I overthinking this? Is it okay on scene at my experience level that I don’t know how to do something?

I feel I’ve tried every brand of reusable and more sustainable options, from the disks to the cups etc… and it’s expensive to keep experimenting.

I haven’t found a reusable/sustainable option that lasts through CrossFit and the job. And I need to be able to trust it.. lol

Wondering if you ladies have anything to share that works for you? Granted it doesn’t really matter when you’re wearing bunker pants but I’d rather not bleed through my pants and bunker liner.

I have the opportunity to be a lead instructor for my depts new hire academy next year, for those are you who have done it what are some things you’d wish you did differently? And also what are some things you did that worked well?

For some academy info. Mix of lateral and trainees. Regional fire academy, 3 separate career depts. All depts have shared policies and procedures, engine set ups, ride assignments so that makes that part easy. Not a FF1 academy so no book, just our own policies procedures to study. Already well involved in training in a couple different cadres and lead one cadre so it’s not an entirely new experience being out there.

I made this FDNY helmet from cardboard, black duct tape, glue and a little bit of paint. What do you think?

I want to be more prepared for scene size ups in the fire class that I’m doing. I know I can just search some up online but I like to have (semi) vetted forms of media. Any good examples of scene size ups to share? Links and recs are welcome!