Advice for the Rookie Firefighter!

By: Pete Paolillo

1)   Nobody cares how you did it at the Academy, or at your last job. You have not done anything here yet.

2)   We don’t need to know your name. Your name will be probie, new guy,  newbie or rookie until we say otherwise.

3)   Don’t walk around the station calling everybody Sir. That is reserved for Officers and your Dad.

4)   Remember: your mom, wife or girlfriends do not work here. Pick up after yourself.

5)   Stay off of the cell phone.

6)   When sitting around the kitchen table, listen but don’t speak unless spoken to. You will learn a lot more that way.

7)   If you don’t know how to use a tool or a piece of equipment, you better tell somebody.

8)   There is no such thing as dumb questions, only dumb answers. Ask questions that pertain to your job.

9)   Don’t wait to be told to do something.

10)        If a senior Firefighter is up doing something, you need to be up and doing something.

11)        We eat together. If you bring food from home bring enough for everyone.

12)        At meal time you should be the last one sitting down to eat and the first one getting up to clean the dishes.

13)        There should never be any dirty dishes in the sink,  full garbage cans in the station, or dirty trucks in the bay. That is what you are there for. Know your role.

14)        The most important tool in the firehouse for a rookie is a mop. Learn how to use one.

15)        If you don’t know how to cook, learn!

16)        Don’t sit down until you are told to.

17)        If you have nothing to do, find something to clean.

18)        If the coffee pot is empty make a fresh pot.

19)        Riding backwards on a Fire truck is a privilege.

20)        You have two hands make sure you bring two tools with you when you get off of the truck.

21)        When on the Fireground, don’t take off your gear until told.

22)        You were given PPE, wear all of it.

23)        Don’t lay your tools, gear or equipment down.

24)        If there is a voluntary training available, sign up for it. If there is a fundraiser, sign up for it. If a Firefighter needs a swap, step up and do it for him. If you are invited some where by other firefighters show up.

25)        Try before you pry

26)        If you are afraid, that is ok, so were we. If a Firefighter says he is not scared, he is probably lying.

27)        Your hands and your eyes are the most important. Always protect them.

28)        All downed wires are LIVE.

29)        The guy with the most soot on his face saw the least amount of fire.

30)        Every firefighter carries a knife.

31)        Whatever is said, seen or heard in a Firehouse needs to stay in the Firehouse.

32)        Know where you are going before you leave the Firehouse.

33)        If you break, lose or damage something, tell someone.

34)        Nobody will see you do something good but everybody will see you screw something up.

35)        Learn how to read a map.

36)        This is not just a job. It is a Brotherhood. Learn what that means

37)        Respect is earned, not given out.

38)        Have Pride. You are now in the best Profession in the world. Act like it!!

39)        Work hard to prove yourself. That is how you become accepted into the fold.

40)        Don’t complain about doing your job. Nobody wants to hear it.