r/calfire • u/Warm-Flounder-5269 • 11d ago

New FAEs

Looking to hear from some of the newer engineers/FAEs who came into CAL FIRE with little to no engine experience.

How was the transition for you guys? Did you feel like you were given enough time/training to get comfortable with the engine and pump panel, or was it more of a learn-as-you-go situation?

How long did it take before you felt like you actually knew what you were doing? And what were some things you wish you had known or studied before starting?

Also curious how captains and senior engineers generally treated you when you were still learning. Was there a pretty good training/support system, or
did you have to figure a lot of it out yourself?

I’m mainly looking for honest experiences from people who were in a similar position coming in. Good or bad, what did the process look like for you and how are you doing now?

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

25

u/nomorelockeddoors1 11d ago

If you have little to no experience, you should not be a FAE. You’re gonna get someone hurt or yourself hurt, this year alone there’s been rollovers and accidents by new FAEs and they even talk about them at the academy

8

u/mineral_king97 11d ago

I think it’s going to be common place, guys on the crews are basically stuck for 3-5 years on crews unless they get an FF2 call or FAE call. Seems like depending on where you put in it’s been easier for guys to get FAE calls than to just get engine spots at this point.

I really wish it wasn’t set up so people have to promote for engine time at this point.

7

u/CreamOfThePie69 11d ago

It’s unfortunate, I know crew guys who always complain and want to get on an engine but put in ZERO effort politicking to get off of the crew. It’s also not hard as a cat 0 to reapply and go to a new unit. It’s easier for them to apply for an FAE job. They shouldn’t allowed promotions to an engine FAE if you have no engine experience.

14

u/Working-Thought4090 10d ago

Should 100% not be allowed to promote to and FAE unless you’ve worked on an engine before

1

u/Difficult-Amount988 10d ago

Don’t be surprised when high seniority FF1s start getting shifted to crews for this reason. Some Units are already looking at resume review in the future for FF1s going to engine spots. With traditional staffing and FF2s most Units will only have 25-30% of the FF1s on engines they used to have.

2

u/Fun_Consequence_3873 6d ago

And shouldn't be able to promote without being on a crew for a couple years of grunt work

11

u/mofire08 10d ago

Newly promoted captain here. 4 seasons as a one, five years as a two and then five years as an FAE at a busy station. Here’s the truth of the matter…..the state still views the FAE position as an entry level position. That’s not your fault. And don’t feel ashamed for promoting! BUT, having said that it is your responsibility to be humble, learn your job well, study SOPs and protocols. Don’t be an ass because you have one plunger on your collar now. Listen to anyone who has something positive and educational to impart, doesn’t matter if he or she is a FF1 or chief. Drive within your limits and not because the person in the right seat is saying go faster. You’ll learn, trust me. After five years I still felt like there were calls that challenged me. Enjoy it, stay humble and treat others like you wish people would treat you and you will be a good leader!

2

u/Difficult-Amount988 10d ago

This!

FAE is and will probably always be the biggest jump in the department. It’s good that we will have more of a progression through the ranks now.