So I did something today. I finally acknowledged the fact that i have been white knuckling life lately. I’m mentally fatigued and tired burnt out. Don’t enjoy much of anything lately. Have occasionally overindulged in drinking to escape. I am a career firefighter for a busy department where lack of sleep is a thing every single set. I care about the craft and the job. Absolutely love the job. I am deeply passionate about learning and becoming an expert at my craft. But the last few months feels like life has been passing me by as I just watch it and white knuckle it. So today I scheduled an appointment with a therapist through our EAP. Has anyone had good luck with their EAP and has it helped you get out of the “fog” I guess you could say?

Thank you!

Hello,

I was wondering of those who split crews, what do you use for your passports when you do split? Is it a simple Unit Alphanumerical identifier (L91A/L91B) or is there a different system you use?

Thanks in advance.

so i see a lot of irish representation with firefighters, a lot more than other flags, is there a reason for that? i myself am irish and also very much want to be a firefighter

I've been put in charge of finding a quick and easy way to do daily SCBA checks. We used to put them into firehouse but now that its gone we have just been putting them on paper for now. I looked into operative IQ, PPE Software and ESO. Any others to look at super easy?

When I was prescribed oxygen by my doctor, and brought home cylinders I watched a few fire safety videos. On some of the videos it was advised to call your local fire department to let them know you keep oxygen tanks in the house for the safety of any firemen called to your house in a fire. I did call, and they didn’t seem to know what to do with the information. Was it the right call? Is it something people do?

Hey everyone, Awhile back I ran a post with a trail run for a workout program and received a lot of good feedback from it. I made some adjustments based off the feedback, and have it up and running now. Some of the feedback was on work schedule vs workout schedule, so this is designed for a rotating shift. Each workout is labeled A, B, C. Where A is priority and B and C are less of a priority. Here is a link that will take you to the website, select tactical athlete program and in the referral box select Arron C to make sure you are getting the right program. Let me know what you all think!

https://www.novabarbellclub.com/store-1-1/p/monthly-program

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill banning collective bargaining for public unions in Utah advanced again on Capitol Hill.

But one of the sponsors said changes to the controversial proposal are coming.

HB267 would ban collective bargaining – the process of negotiating a contract with an employer – for public sector unions in Utah. Despite strong union opposition, the bill has moved forward. It cleared a vote in the Senate Thursday morning, 18-10, after a lengthy and often-tense debate.

“Nothing about this bill does away with labor unions,” said Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy. “Nothing about this bill disallows labor unions from providing all the services that they currently provide and will continue to provide to all their employees, but for collective bargaining.”

Firefighters watched in the Senate gallery as the bill was debated. HB267 would impact them along with police officers, teachers, and other public workers. Besides banning collective bargaining, the bill also mandates that taxpayer money cannot be used to promote a union.

But Cullimore, one of the sponsors, said a change is coming that would still allow collective bargaining – if more than half of employees vote for a union to represent them in that process.

Still, some lawmakers blasted how quickly the bill is moving through the Capitol.

“We have all the time in the world to get this right,” said Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, adding that voters feel unheard on this issue. “That keeps me up at night … because we didn’t use to be this way.”

HB267 still needs to clear one more vote in the Senate, which could happen Friday. However, if the bill does change, it would have to go back to the House of Representatives for a final vote before heading to the governor’s desk.

Senate Democrats were united in voting against HB267. Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said their opposition would likely remain even if the bill changes.

“We still have concerns on the policy itself and what it means to have any limitations on collective bargaining and the opportunity to come together and unionize,” Escamilla said.

The Senate’s top Republican leader seemed to question whether changing the bill was necessary.

“I think the actual bill could pass the way it is,” said Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton.

https://ksltv.com/politics-elections/utah-legislature/public-labor-union-bill-changes/733303/

Good luck brothers, raise hell

My (28F) husband (28M) is getting ready to apply to a fire department in our town. He’s been part time with them since 2021 and has an amazing reputation through the department. His department is hiring 12 full timers by the spring and they’re only hiring internally. This is the best shot for him getting full time, since they’re not opening the hiring to the public and only hiring internally. We’ve been in and out of sickness and he’s been so busy with work that he’s been finding it hard to study for his written test. He’s very hard working and he loves the job so much that he feels like our lives won’t start until he’s on a department full time. I guess my question is, how do I support him as he studies for his test and get ready? We barely go out because he trains with the department 4 days a week (he’s also part of the special rescue team). And for whatever reason if he doesn’t end up getting the job, how do I support him through that too? He’s very hard on himself and he feels like a lot is counting on him getting this position. It also doesn’t help that his crew and captains are telling him that they expect him to get one of the positions.

My fear is that due to the sickness that we had, he didn’t have enough time to get ready even though he’s more than qualified. I appreciate everyone’s insight!

My brother in-law turns 14 next week. He lives in Downey CA. He wants to be a firefighter but only junior program I know of is OCFA (for age 14 and up) which is kind of a drive for his dad. Dose anyone know of good programs in south LA county or Long Beach

I’ve recently been hired in a department and am wondering what should I get that would help me on the field ? From my department I’ve received a flash light, station boots and the bunker gear (obviously) with structure gloves and mechanic gloves. Is there anything you would recommend for me to purchase ? I’ve bought a good pair of medical shears and a multi tool ? I’m not looking for anything flashy just the basics. Thanks!

I’m new to the department and currently have nothing whatsoever to distinguish my helmet from any other of the generic yellow buckets. So not just from a customization standpoint point, but from a practical one I’d like to have something to put on my helmet so I know it’s mine. What do y’all have on your helmets?

Hi. My partner (45M) and I (40F) have been together for around a year and a half. He’s wanting to change careers after being in IT for a very long time. We both work from home right now. He says that he would be on three days and off for four if he gets the job firefighting. It feels like a major shift for me to go from seeing him every day to basically spending half the week apart. I’m worried about what it might change for our relationship while he’s excited for how it may enrich our lives. I’ve gone through a lot of traumatic things in my childhood and in my adulthood where relationships are concerned, and just recently I’ve started to work on healing from it all. I want peace for whatever life I have left. I want to be supportive of his career change but I’m also worried about what may be in store. Can you help me see the bright side of things while also being really real with me too? What’s your relationship like with your partner? Basically, what’s the good, bad and the ugly?

Contact your local representative to support the bill. Find your local representative here https://www.govtrack.us/

I made a post long ago about leaving the fire department on this thread. It's been two years since and I think it's been long enough to see it better with some clarity. Thought I'd share.. some of you might relate... some of you might hate on it.... but I thought I would share for those f.f that could find value in the message.

https://youtu.be/4vayFCvhfHg?si=6hTekuZMZfG58GXT

Do your departments race each other into boxes even though you are given assignments on dispatch.

I recently became aware this is very common in certain areas.

It seems retarded because it fucks up rig positions and hurts everyone.

Engine taking spots in front of buildings so someone else doesn't park closer to the front for a stretch, this prevents the trucks from being in a good position to use the tower or ladder and forces huge delays for engines to get on hydrants because now the chauffeurs need to stretch supply lines vs use shorter suctions.

So dumb. Bad firemenship

Hello!

Just recently my roommate cut himself quite badly with a potato peeler. It seemed bad enough to warrant some sort of medial help, but nothing too critical. Mainly just some bandages we didn’t have and perhaps some medical advice.

Because he was worried about medical bills, someone proposed we take him down to the fire station just down the block to see if they could give us some advice and maybe bandage the cut. At the time though our uncertainty on if they could made us take him to an urgent care center. He was okay.

But in case some small but significant injure like that happens again, could we go down to our local fire station and receive the basic medical help?

Anything is appreciated!

Is it possible for this job to give me IBS… I know so many dudes with it and now I have stomach issues all the time Only a little bit /s…

Sorry if this isn't a good place to post this but I couldn't find any better and I know there's a lot of fire buffs who know a lot about different sirens. These 3 sirens were all on different ambulances from the same department. I can't tell if any of them are Whelen or Federal Signal let alone what models they even are.

https://reddit.com/link/1ie1ah9/video/awryadt7x7ge1/player

If there's any better community to post this please let me know.

Hey guys I recently took the written test for my Class B exempt and now I'm getting ready to take the driving portion and was wondering what all I need to know to prepare for the test. Any tips are appreciated. Thanks.

Sounds absolutely horrific, I wish you guys and gals strength in getting through this call. As someone who has seen their own share of messy incidents (though not nearly to this degree), please remember that it’s okay to not be okay after something like this, and that there’s nothing wrong with needing to talk to someone or ask for help.

Godspeed, all of you.

Would like to get Amerex extinguishers for my home (unless you guys suggest otherwise). Is there a physical store that sells these? Can only find them online. Feels weird to have them shipped

As the title says, why aren't commercial truck used for ladder truck (straight frame & tractor-drawn) applications anymore?

Operating out of Northern California near Sacramento.

Interesting.

I’m new to the fire service and I’m looking for suggestions on y’all’s favorite media - whether it be podcasts, books, documentaries, etc

Thanks