r/Firefighting

A few weeks ago I interviewed at a department and made it past the first panel interview so they scheduled a ride along as a part of there hiring process to see if I fit in with the crew.

I get there early and meet the captain ask what his expectations are and what I’m allowed to do which is nothing I’m told essentially because I’m not a student and not an employee so I don’t have insurance to protect me and the department if something happens which makes sense. I offer to help clean and I help check off the ambulance. After that captain pretty much disappears for 10 hours in his room/office. The ambulance crew I never saw again, and the two firefighters on the engine were on their phones for 10 hours in the day room in the recliners with the exception of the 2 calls we ran. I stayed in the kitchen at the table it felt like for 10 hours trying to figure out how the crew is supposed to see if I fit in or not. I ended up just going out to the bay and going through the engine to see where things are because the engine was never checked off by the crew. I found the chore board and started cleaning and then the crew joined.

I guess I’m a little confused on how they were supposed to see how I fit in with the crew when everyone seemed to be doing their own thing. I don’t know much but I know enough to not go sit in the recliners uninvited. Is it normal to essentially be ghosted for 10 out of the 12 hours. During dinner which was the last hour of my ride along we talked more in that hour than the previous 11. It just seemed kinda weird to me, that they wanted to see how I would fit in and then took naps, stayed on their phones, and didn’t ask anything about me lol.

Maybe I’m overthinking it IDK but just wanted some feedback.

Good morning everyone. I'm from Poland, and I'd like to greet everyone warmly! I wanted to ask about helmet cameras. Unfortunately, there's a very small group of Firecam Onyx users in Poland. My unit deploys 150 times a year on various missions. My question is whether it's better to go with the GoPro Hero12 or perhaps the Firecam Onyx 4K or Firecam Onyx. I'm familiar with the recording policy, and we can record.

I missed the application window for this year. Really hoping I can get into a township that offers a in house academy next year, there is one near me that does. Working as a ER tech with no EMT. What steps should I take to prepare? I workout 4-5 days a week, eat healthy, started running.

First time going to FDIC and I’m staying by the airport. It looks like it will be at least a 20 drive to the venue, should I get a car or Uber everywhere? My preference would be to drive myself, but I’m sure parking is an issue.

Hey folks, I’m looking for sample polices from other departments, specifically regarding appearance and tattoos. My department allows tattoos on extremities, but not the neck, face, or anywhere else on the head. Additionally, any imagery or designs deemed “unprofessional or offensive” must be covered up. Anybody here work for a department with a more liberal policy?

Haven’t used it yet, looking to get some broad general input. For those unfamiliar, a Kelly bar is a halligan, just without the pike end

Hey guys,

Im wondering about knee pads that can be used for a volunteer that needs to put them on quickly before stepping into my bunkers. I have been using volleyball kneepads for FF1 academy and they work great when I am expecting what is thrown at me. Can anyone reccomend any knee pads that I can put on quickly, over my pants, while I am putting my gear on while responding to calls?

I got the case of the Mondays.

Been a firefighter/ paramedic since i was 22. Been feeling unmotivated, irritated, no libido and lacking progress in the gym. I work 24/48 at a very busy big city house. Got my levels checked recently. total t was 334 ng/dl and free t 37.1 pg/ml. My outside lifestyle is very disciplined on my days off I sleep 8+ hours, eat very clean and do a good amount of cardio. I want to feel better and I know I’m young but does my career choice and lifestyle justify the circumstances? Looking for input. Thanks!

I’ve needed to stop at the grocery store like once over the past year but sometimes I need to stop by my house and take care of my dog for like 5 minutes.

Nobody really minds but I try to keep it to like once a month kinda deal to stay conscience of how tax payer resources are used.

I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer to this question (unless you specifically have a policy for/against it) Just curious on where you stand.

Folks, I'm looking into some single gas HCN monitors to acquire for our Fire Marshall to use. Anyone have any recommendations? Looking for something simple that he won't have to do much with to make things easier and safer for him during post-incident investigations.

I posted this in the Hazmat forum as well, in case anyone sees it over there.

We are a volunteer department in Kentucky with a mostly rural response area. We do have some large businesses and warehouses along with two industrial parks. We recently got the funding to buy a new truck and are looking at getting a new tanker/tender truck because we don't have many good hydrants in our area. What are some features or additions that would be handy to have on the truck?

Our current response setup is 1000gal pumper as our first out truck and a 1500gal pumper as our second out (this truck acts as a nurse to the first). We then have a 3000gal tanker that shuttles water to the scene. The new truck we are looking at getting will be a pumper/tanker to replace the 1500gal pumper. We are looking at a 2000 or 2500 gal tank as we don't want to get too big because of some of our tight roads. This truck would also respond to large wildland fires and vehicle fire and could potentially be used as a mutual aid truck to surrounding departments.

Will be my first show at FDIC 2026. Does anyone have any resources or guides?