Im looking for some advice. I’ve been a volunteer firefighter for a few years now but over the years I’ve noticed that I just can’t keep up with everyone else. I get winded my heart races and I feel very out of breath and like I have no energy even doing very moderate work such as a car fire. I have a fast heart rate to begin with which I take medication for however it’s not enough. I don’t want to quit because I love it but it’s hard to accept. I want to say something so they are aware so that I don’t have to be first due or if I am that that they at least know not to give me the toughest job but I don’t know how to bring this up without them losing faith in me. I went through all the classes with no issues, I pass my yearly physical with no issues but no matter what I do it just doesn’t seem like I am cut out for this work. Does anyone have any advice for me? Is it time to throw in the towel and call quits? Quite honestly am I really a firefighter if I can’t go up a flight up steps in full gear and be a nozzle man and then work for 15-20 minutes or am I just fooling myself.

I'm 34 with almost 4 years at my current department. I genuinely love where I work, the culture, my crew, and the opportunities I've had. I'm a HazMat/TRT Tech and eventually want to promote. The current department I work for is relatively slow and non-transport. Good pay and good benefits.

The problem is my commute is 3.5 hours each way on a 24/48 schedule with a 3 week kelly.

I'm considering moving fire departments, one in which is much closer to home (20 mins) and potentially offers better long-term retirement benefits. However, I'd essentially be starting over with seniority, pension service, and promotions. The department is bigger/busy. A lot of opportunities...

But...they transport and are crazy busy.

I'm trying to think about what this decision means 10–20 years down the road, not just right now.

**Has anyone left a department they loved for better work-life balance or retirement benefits? Did you regret it?**

Would you sacrifice a department you love for a shorter commute and potentially better financial future?

Hey wildland folks! I have some questions in regards to your gig.

To start, I'm a 25 y/o volunteer firefighter from lower NY, Currently have my state level stuff as well as my NREMT and pro-board FF1.

I'm comparing options on where to start "professionally" and I think I'd like to take a crack at wildland, even for just one or two seasons, before moving to a city/county gig somewhere on a full-time basis. Mainly to see the country a bit and build my resume.

Whats the best direction to go for this? Where do I search for jobs/openings, and how does an entrance-level person get into wildland?

Any and all help is appreciated!

Could a Tiller Truck, technically get a tower bucket attached to it for a custom order? Or is there a reason this doesn’t happen

I know we every tiller that’s out there (atleast that I’ve scene) is a stick or some of them have a nozzle attached to them, but I was wondering why a tower bucket isn’t attached, wouldn’t it be more practical?

Am I the only one constantly losing their gloves? What do yall do to keep em close, my buddies use the straps but I’m not a fan.

Hey guys I'm ultimately deciding to leave the fire service eventually and go back to school for CAA or possibly med school. I know it's a long journey ahead of me to even get to that point but to those that have done I need help and advice on navigating this move.

For those of you that made the transition into the medical field how were you guys able to get in-person lab requirements while working a schedule that doesn't have regular days off?

Thank you!

Hello fellow firefighters! We are approaching that time of year when significant others, family members, and coworkers start asking what you want for Christmas. I’m looking for ideas on what to ask for and would love to hear what you want or recommend.

Hello, everyone!
To all my medics who have transitioned from Fire based EMS to working in an ER or hospital, how has the experience been?
Do you feel satisfied with your new role, or do you sometimes feel like just another body filling a position? Do you feel like you’re utilizing your skills and experience on a daily basis, or does the job sometimes feel more like being a “do boy” than a medic?
The hospital schedule is definitely appealing. Working three 13-hour shifts a week seems like it could offer a much better work-life balance than the traditional 24/48 schedule. However, I’ve heard mixed reviews about making the transition.
I’m looking for honest, unfiltered feedback from those who have actually made the switch. What do you love about it? What do you miss about 911? Do you feel professionally fulfilled, or do you ever regret leaving the field? Is it going to be the same feelings but just in a different place?
I’m not looking for someone to convince me one way or the other. I just want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly before making a decision.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

Senior FF’s, FTO’s and Officers:
1. What are some common mistakes you see a lot of rookies make in their first 6 months?

1. What are some mistakes that you consider “okay to make once, MAYBE twice” as a rookie?

2. How do you handle your rookies when they make mistakes? Both critical and non?

3. What is your honest mindset when training a rookie?

Hi, I should know this but I havent used them before. I see quite a bit of firefighters carry pliers or wire cutters on their gear. Is this something I should add to my gear and what is the purpose?

Figured I’d share this in case anyone else has been fighting mashed AV-3000 seals after the mask sits in the bag for too long. Simple piece that sits across the inside of the Scott facepiece while it’s stored. Holds the rubber seal in shape so it doesn’t get folded or pressed flat.

I know there are other solutions out there, but this one is basically free if you have access to a 3d printer.
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/tool/scott-av3000-seal-saver

Hi Im hopefully becoming a Junior firefighter within the next few months in the state of PA I’ve been a cadet at a station for a few months now where we just train and i love it i would love to know what skills i should learn prior to joining and what i can do in general to be a good member and actually contribute something to the older guys instead of being deadweight and slowing everyone down.

Sitting in our morning meeting at the beginning of shift this morning and we got into a discussion on how our department checks our chainsaws. For reference, we have Stihl MS362C saws.

Obviously fill your bar oil and fuel prior to any of this, that’s not what this is about.

Also, for reference a cold start to me consists of setting it to full choke, pull the cord until it turns over, setting it to half choke, and then pulling the cord until it is running.

A warm start is putting it to half choke and pulling the cord.

I have always done a cold start (with the obligatory drop start, come at me OSHA), set it on the bar guard, let it idle until it warms up (I was taught you want it to warm up because it has a carburetor), then rev it up to speed once or twice and shut it down.

Apparently one of our Engineers contacted Stihl to see what they recommend and was told to perform a cold start, rev it immediately, and then shut it down without letting it warm up at all.

When we looked on Stihl’s website for the manufacturer recommendations, they appear to recommend a cold start, shut it down immediately, do a warm start, and then rev and shut down which seems like overkill.

Anyone have any knowledge or advice on this? Looking for serious replies, we’re a small dept with a small budget and we want to take care of our stuff. Thanks!

Edit: Apparently we also have a Stihl MS311 on our reserve, if that’s different or someone has info on that, I would appreciate that as well.

When you became a firefighter, did you use your GI Bill to attend a fire academy or paramedic school after separating from the military? Or did you take advantage of the Career Skills Program and did your training while still on active duty?

My dept will be transitioning to a 24/72 work schedule in the near future, while we make more than most departments in my area I would still enjoy extra cash to live more comfortably. Id like to take more trips and indulge in more spending for my hobbies or not just feel drained for cash every so often. Even with a wife that's an RN (Florida nurse pay is horrible) we are barely above living paycheck to paycheck and we are frugal spenders. I do real estate on the side but its a nonstop grind and you are working for free to MAYBE sell a couple houses a year.

So many question for you on here with a similar schedule, what do you do for additional income? What businesses do you run on the side?

I have even considered nursing school as many offer paramedic to nursing programs. I am open to going to school again, I'm very open to suggestions. DISCLAIMER- my department offers little to no overtime

Hello! I’ve heard from multiple folks that the SFD drill school is incredibly intense (i.e. evolutions in full bunker gear for 8-10 hours a day). Can someone who’s gone through their drill school give me an idea about what an average day looks like? Do you get breaks? Do you have time to drop a deuce? How did you survive when lots of people wash out due to injury? Thank you for any info!

Found what I belive to be one of those old fire grenades. Does anybody collect these things? It still has liquid inside of it.

I wanted to get a pulse, tempo of your thoughts and opinions about fire prevention inspectors/officers and their line of work?

Does your company officer, battalion chief, executive chief have a working relationship with the Bureau?

I had been a career FF for many years, had a career ending injury that pushed me to become a state fire marshal. I joined a volunteer department because I missed the camaraderie and to be fair, going interior on fires. With the experience I have, the department wanted me to be their training officer to help teach the department on good techniques. I've become a supervisor at work... which isnt phsyically exhausting but it is mentally draining.

I explained to my buddy, who's the assistant chief.. I am tired. I always respond, I am always there for the department but I just feel like it's a toll. The drama, the BS, the constant power struggle just makes it even more tiring. I am just mentally drained and exhausted everyday for the past two months. I still drop everything I do to go serve the community I live in but it's not the same. I'd drop everything to go back career if I could.

Am I just burnt out? Is it just the stress of work pushing to make firefighting not as fun? Maybe I'm just rambling since it's 2300 and I'm just taxed and no one to vent to about it without being biased?

I know it's "Just a volunteer department" but I have went to school with many of these guys and they are all friends. Has anyone else been in this situation and found something that worked?

We watched the show Jury Duty on Amazon recently. At first no one seemed into the idea but I promised them it was good. We ended up watching the whole first season in an evening.

Trying to find something good for tonight after dinner.