New recruit for IFD

[prowland]

I start recruit school for the Indianapolis Fire Department on the 13th!!!

It has been a long road but now the real fun starts!!!



Any firefighters have any tips for the new guy?

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Great, another hose jockey.

Just kidding. Congrats and good luck from one of the resident cops.

 

[Brandon]

Congrats!

 

[ticktwrter]

I'm a 22 year cop, but one big word of advice is to keep your mouth shut and ears open.

 

[kedie]

Never trust a truss.

 

[J D]

Congrats and good luck. Don't get caught up in the politics. Learn the job and earn your way.
Be smart with your money as you start and with a little luck you'll be able to have a nice retirement on your terms.

 

[bluewraith]

Never trust a truss.

Or the "floor" in the attic. Ouch. Who the hell puts 1/4" plywood up there anyways?

Learn the truck compartments and once you think you know them, go slam some more doors.

 

[possum_128]

Should have gone federal, a whole lot more money.

 

[IndyGunworks]

Tips? Yes, I am at station 42 and I like my coffee strong. Also, when your at 27's the orange handled pot really is a dedicated decaf pot. If you put full throttle coffee in there and sent the crews pressures through the roof you will NOT let you live it down.

Show up before 7 during your first year. You will be cleaning the bathrooms in the morning at every firehouse you go to for around 5 years so just get used to it.

Keep a notepad of all the door codes so you don't have to sit in the parking lot and wait for someone to show up.

Do the dish's.

Offer to cook. Often.

Always know where everything is on the truck. They are pretty well standardized but I had to go through the trucks several times a day (including trucks at the same firehouse that I was not on) just to remember all of it. I always went through the trucks before I went to bed as well because at 4am you sure as hell will forget a lot of it.

be in shape, like REALLY in shape, before the academy starts and it will be a lot easier on you.

and last but not least, I like my coffee strong.

 

[prowland]

Thanks everyone!

 

[hoosierdoc]

I'm a 22 year cop, but one big word of advice is to keep your mouth shut and ears open.

35 posts in 5 years, I'd say you do a good job of following your own advice

 

[USMC-FF]

Congrats and good luck!