I talked to a devastated candidate at a written test. This paramedic had been hired with four other medics by a good fire department. After four months he was fired. He said he thought things were going fine. Then, the captain started telling him that the other firefighters didn't like some things he was saying, starting counseling and documenting him for not taking down the flag, rolling up the hose, etc. He said he was busy doing other assignments. The writing was on the wall.
I asked him what the other new rookies were doing? He said they were too busy kissing ass. My only reply was, "I hope you learned that if you were too busy kissing ass, you wouldn't be trying to get another job!"
What you do when you first start out will set your reputation and follow you throughout your career. If you don't start out on the right foot, they will show you the door. The crew already knows more about you before you show up than you think.
Use these standards during station visits and your interview process to demonstrate you already know what to do when hired:
You're a snotty nose rookie. Keep your mouth shut. Be cordial, friendly and humble. You have no time or opinion until you earn it. You can't force it. That will come with a lot of calls and a few fires.
Cel phones and pagers are causing problems for candidates and rookies. I
can't believe the stories I'm hearing. Candidates are carrying their cel phones
and pagers to written tests. A candidate was in a department academy and his
cel phone starts to ring. He told the training officer, can you hold on a
minute, I have a call. Yea, right. The training officer
told the class the next time he hears a cel phone go off, they were going to play who can
throw the cel phone the furthest.
On an emergency call, the BC was trying to raise dispatch without success on the
radio. The rookie took his cel phone, speed dialed dispatch and handed his cel
phone to the BC. Cute? Smart? Innovative? That's not the
reception he received.
Rookies are carrying their cel phones and pagers on duty. Their phone rings,
they answer it and go right into cel yell with their friends and
relatives. Wives, girl friends and dysfunctional others call all day long with
"Important Stuff" and to do pillow talk. Cel phones are ringing in
locker rooms. Some try to be cool by putting their cel phones and pagers on
vibrate. Even though they might not answer them when they go off, they still
pick them up to check the caller ID or the text message. Then when they think
no one is looking, they slip off and return the call. THIS IS
DUMB! These are not part of your emergency issue.
This will not get you off on the right foot. Big clue here. Leave
the electronic leashes off and in your vehicle along with your piercings until a time
where all your duties are complete. No matter what you might think and how
friendly everyone seems to be, you are being watched! It could hurt you big
time.
If you have an emergency situation, ask your officer if you can carry your phone because
you are expecting an emergency call.
Call your new captain before your first shift and ask if he wants you to bring anything in. Bring a peace offering of donuts and desert your first day. Home made is best. Arrive early and ask the off going firefighter what you should know at that station. Your new captain should meet with you to outline his expectations. If not, ask him.
Unless you're told differently, put up and don't forget to take down the flag. If the phone or the door bell rings, make sure you're the first one running to answer it. There will be certain duties on each day of the week. Tuesday could be laundry day, Saturday yards. Keep track. Stay busy around the station. Always be in a clean proper uniform. Always be ready to get on the rig and respond.
Check out the gear on the rig each morning. Make sure the 02 gage and the reserve bottle shows enough to handle a long ems call.
Firefighters usually have "Their" place to sit at the table and in front of the T.V.. Don't hog the newspaper. The off going shift has the first crack at the newspaper. You probably have probation tests. Don't park yourself in front of the T.V., you have a test coming up. Stay busy. Know matter what the atmosphere is, you're being watched. "Just because you're paranoid . . . doesn't mean there not after you."
Though you might be a good cook, don't volunteer to cook until asked or rotated in. Make sure your meals are on time. The old adage "Keep them waiting long enough and they will eat anything" doesn't apply here. Be the last one to serve your plate. Don't load up your plate the first time around. Wait to go for seconds.
Always have your hands in the sink doing the dishes after a meal. Be moving out with the garbage and mopping the kitchen floor after each meal.
Learn how to help the officer doing response reports.
Don't tell jokes until you're accepted.
Don't gossip.
Don't play "Your" music on the radio. Don't be a stupid generation X'er and always ask why when told to do something. Help others' with their assignments when you finish yours.
Ask how you're doing. Volunteer for assignments. Keep track of these to present at your evaluations.
Don't start pulling hose and other equipment at a scene until the captain tells you.
Always get off the rig before it backs up. Stand to the rear side to guide the rig. Never turn your back on the backing up rig.
It's not uncommon to move to one or more stations during your probation. At your new station, don't act like you already have time. Unfortunately, you have to start all over again as the new rookie.
You will have an elated feeling rolling out on your first calls. There is nothing like it. It could last your whole career. Enjoy and saver it. You earned it. You're the last of Americas Heroes.
I miss it.
. . . Nothing counts ‘til you have the badge. Nothing!
"Captain Bob"
Ask "Captain Bob" Any Question
Fire "Captain Bob" Smith has coached countless entry level and promotional candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year Hayward, Ca. Captain, speaker/author of the audio/video program "Conquer the Job Interview," the book "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6-8 and a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association. You can book him as a speaker or get a copy of his books and tapes by calling toll free at 888-238-3959.
E-mail: captbob@verio.com Web site: http://www.eatstress.com