(I typed in bold what I thought might be more important. Things like questions and stuff that gives context so if you HATE long posts, just read the bold but I feel that the rest of the post helps you understand my thought process and situation)

I'm currently in my last year of HS, I took the firefighter 1 class last year and excelled in it being 1 of 2 people in my class to pass all the state testing and will take firefighting 2 next semester and my family is helping me to have a career in EMS/the fire service. I find EMS and firefighting very interesting and I plan on being a firefighter/paramedic but I'm not sure if I'm cut out for this. Although I've thought of these types of jobs as interesting and I've admired you guys ever since I was little, I only made this decision pretty recently and for all my life, ever since I could pick up a pencil, I said I'd be an artist (I also said I wanted to sing stuff like opera for events like weddings and stuff) but I, with the persuasion of the adults in my life, had decided that I wouldn't be able to support myself in the real world on solely an artist salary. (It's becoming more possible to survive as an artist with the internet and commissions and there are other careers that use art like costume or marketing but people say it's still hard) I'm unsure if I should pursue this and don't know if I am even fit for the job. I thought about other careers aside from art that might fit me and I thought ems/the fire service would be a decent fit since I care about people and want to help others, like working with my hands, hated being stuck in one place like an office (getting dispatched to different locations would make it where I wasn't stuck in a single cubicle for hours on end), and I have decent people skills and kids/most people trust me since I don't look very threatening (my max height is 4'9 and I have been described as chipmunk or squirrel more times that I can remember) and I'm told I can be decently persuasive/make good compromises in order get good outcomes for problems of people/kids I know and that I can see things others can't whether that's making a connection or literally by being observant. I thought with these skills I might be decent for it but I have never been in an incredibly intense emergency setting like the calls you go out to and I've never seen gore so I don't know if I could handle it. Should I back out before it's too late? I feel bad when I have doubts on whether this career path is the best fit for me but it makes me feel better that my ex firefighter teacher said that we will probably change our career path multiple times just in a single school year. I wonder if you guys had similar thoughts before going into this job. How did you get used to the gore and intensity? How did you know you were fit for this or had the proper skill set to be doing this? How did you know this was the job for you? I've tried to come up with compromises and I think I could do art on the side since it is so important to me.

I'm sorry for typing up such a long post. Thank you for your time. I hope you have a good night and have a good holiday season. :)

What are you guys using to write notes on the pump panel and gauges? (Incoming pressure, priority lines, inventory etc.)

I’ve tried dry erase markers which work great until you’re in the rain or your pump panel gets wet, and I’ve tried Listo mechanical grease pens but they also kinda suck.

Brothers and sisters…. 31 y/o M currently battling an injury. I was playing hockey, felt the pop/crack, couldn’t bear weight. Low grade MCL, low grade popliteal tear. The ligaments are healing nicely with physio (I think). My issue is that I also sustained a full thickness (grade 4) down to the bone Lateral patella chondral (cartilage) tear. Basically my femur is rubbing against patella bone when I weight bear or cross a certain degree. Knee specialist recommended physio, physiotherapist recommends surgery. With the background I understand that ligaments get better with physio, but this is bone and cartilage. All aspects of my injury are getting better except squatting (knee gives out once knee bends over the toes) MRI showed marrow edema with minimal bone damage. For some reason specialist is very hesitant on sending to orthopaedic but apparently they present very conservative normally. I will push for surgery, but I’m just wondering if anybody has had anything similar and if I can continue to do my job. I’ve been a paramedic 6 years and firefighter 3. Pretty discouraging when my ligaments feel great but I can’t squat my own body weight. I understand I’ve basically acquired immediate osteoarthritis, I just love this job so much and I’m in a dark place trying to get back to the floor and game. Any word appreciated.

I’m looking around for a nice picture, preferably of people fighting a bushfire, that I can use as a desktop or screensaver or something but it’s trickier to find one than you think, due to all of the ones that say they’re HD and they’re not, or have watermarks and just dont look qr. Thanks

Elkhart brass has no info

I'm 4 years on at a slower full time suburban department. Only a handful of fires a year (per shift at least). Had 2 hydrants freeze causing me to lose water mid push. Never felt so impotent as when my line petered out and went flat. Other than that it went well. Give me some good stories of your ED (extinguishment dysfunction).

Currently a 911 dispatcher and I want to become a firefighter. I love everything about my job except that I'm seated for my whole shift. I would rather be out there helping with the problem myself. I'm trying to be realistic with myself because I don't want to go through the schooling and find out later. I've hardly ever seen a dead body. My aunt is a retired firefighter and said it never bothered her until she had kids. I don't know if i'll be the same. Blood? Fine. Vomit? Fine. Bones broken? I'll wince but fine. People mangled in a brutal car accident? I don't know. I haven't seen anything to know how i'll react. So I'm wondering if there's some people here that did have a hard time with it and if they could share that experience.

Anyone out there work 24s, live alone and have a dog?

Due to unforeseen, unfortunate circumstances it looks like I’ll be on my own soon with my dog and I honestly have no idea what I’m going to do. He’s my whole life, last connection of something physical I have from my Mom that passed a few years ago. There’s no way I can give him up.

Luckily, my station is maybe 150 yards from my house and I’ll be able to swing by quick on our way back to the station. But I know I can’t rely on that.

He’s not good with strangers, otherwise I’d have a dog sitter already. Luckily I found a kennel that can handle him about 30min away, but that is going to get expensive.

Between the 24s and still being the junior guy with that chance of being held I’m low key freaking out. I haven’t told any of the guys on my group yet because I don’t want to look like the newer guy that’s trying to get special treatment to be able to stop by my house a few times on shift.

Any suggestions?

During probation on a large dept what is typically expected of a first day firefighter? Will your crew/station tell you what you need to do during your day or should it be expected? All hypothetical, I’m trying to break bad habits now

I parked today as always in front of my basement apartment railing. I noticed this charring, which I don't think was there before. I might have thought nothing of it, except the black spot on the top is properly burned ash, like used firewood. Everyone I've asked thinks it's doubtful that heat from the parked car could have done this. I am baffled. Have you seen something like this before?

https://preview.redd.it/8in5pcv0k98e1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=240c7e01dd4521e3819634c069a10948e96ef061

Last week I graduated from my Fire Fighter One course and got Pro Board certified. I just wanted to ask on here if anyone has advice for me or any newer firefighter.

Hello there, I have some video from a funeral procession honouring New Westminster BC’s Captain Dave Phillips who succumbed to an occupational disease on November 20, 2024 following his retirement in December of 2020 after 25 years of service.

I would love to share it here, but I just wanted to ask first because I didn’t want to disrespect him or your community in any way ..

I’m at a station full of 10 other guys and a chief. I’m looking for some last minute small gift ideas for them.

Any ideas? What are you guys getting for your crew?

Happy holidays!

I live in a US East Coast Town House that has sprinklers. I have a laundry closet that has a single sprinkler head that also houses my sprinkler pressure gauge, shut off valve, and drain outlet.

I'm interested in buying a stacked washer and dryer. But my measurements put it between 8 and 5 inches from the sprinkler head. The head would be slightly off center from the stacked washer tower.

I cannot find clear code or guidelines. I suspect a stacked system is not a good idea in my situation but having the code to read would be helpful.

Looking to start applying for paid positions in about a year. In the meantime I have an interview coming up to become a volunteer in early January to gain experience and aquire certifications. Most paid postings in my area are requiring some type of certification before applying.

I am 31, married and have 2 young children. My wife is on board with me trying to become a FF and we are open to moving out of state if/when I begin applying for positions. I constantly see that becoming a paramedic is the "golden ticket" to get a paid position but for me to quit my job and go to school for 2 years would mean my family would have to make pretty large sacrifices in our way of living. I feel like I may be able to swing getting my EMT after I get accepted into a volunteer position and finish the volunteer academy.

How have you guys/gals managed getting qualifications necessary to become a FF while supporting your family at the same time? How many sacrifices has your family had to make to help you meet your goal? If you could do it differently with your family, how would you have changed your process?

First shift tomorrow for a fire rescue department, what can I make for breakfast for a crew of 5-6 that’s fairly simple, not a great cook but will do my best

I'm a third generation firefighter and I have kids and I think it's at the point now where I make it a point not to glorify the occupation and do my best to lead them into careers that allow them to have a better quality of life. How about you?

So to all those who are stuck with an incredibly annoying person, enjoy the time away from them and enjoy the holidays.

Problems starting from higher up in the chain of command, that end up trickling down .

I live in Florida and am trying to get my Emt and then enroll in academy but it costs about $3,900-$5,000 in my area for academy alone. While doing research a few weeks ago I watched a video about steps to become an Emt, and the creator said something about getting sponsored, i couldnt find anything about it recently when i tried looking for more details. What should i do? Has anyone been or heard of someone being sponsored?

You ever see a show where a firefighter covers the person in a blanket and gives him a hot drink? Any firefighters can tell me what the drink is y'all be giving people? I'm writing a novel about a character who is a firefighter and meets the love of his life during an emergency call, and he gives her the blanket and the hot drink and they fall in love afterwards. sorry to go on a rant. any answers?

I'm potentially interested in becoming a firefighter. I was just wondering what it was like? Any experiences, stories, or advice would be most welcome!

Currently department shopping in Colorado, looking at cheaper areas (for CO). Currently a 2 year Ff/emt in Arkansas and was curious about the culture in the area as well as departments. Must be somewhere I can fly fish.