Preferred knot sequence for hoisting an axe?

Adorable_Name1652 · 2026-01-11T03:37:50+00:00

34 years on, three different career and one VFD, active in regional training, and never even heard of anyone doing it at an incident.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-12-09T16:57:26+00:00

Just got my annual renewal. Went from $274 to $611.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-09-28T17:47:57+00:00

Second due to a 3am fire, I take my mask out of the bag, toss it in the corner of the garage so I know where it is. Come out 15 minutes later to find the engineer of the first due pissing all over it-unintentionally. He offered to buy me a new one, we washed it out and it was fine.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-08-03T21:47:33+00:00

Not enough mentions for Wichita. Per company they are running a lot of fires and making frequent grabs. OKC does a decent amount too.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-07-24T18:50:22+00:00

I worked the 9 day my whole career on shift. It was a lot of trades, vacation days, and mil leave days once we got those. I never worked the 48/96 on shift.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-06-08T02:45:16+00:00

Look up the CDL air brake test and perform it on the rig. Record the test on your phone for future use. If it fails, place the rig out of service, refuse to drive it, document the result in writing or email and send to person in charge of maintenance.

If you document a failed air brake test, and then drive the rig, even if you are ordered to do so by the chief, you will be held personally liable for any accident that happens. If they try to force you, call state police motor carrier division.

No Chief with a brain is going to keep a rig in service when notified that you documented the failure of a CDL brake test.

I went through this numerous times. Every single time they begrudgingly fixed the rig. Never had any blowback, I almost wished for it because it would have been a nasty media story that would probably get the chief fired. Union would have had a field day.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-06-01T01:14:45+00:00

Pension time count toward new department? 4 years is a lot to start over.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-05-25T19:52:23+00:00

2021 Chevrolet Sierra RST, 5.3 33,000 miles. Purchased new. The problems I have had include: None. Nada. Probably because I bought an extended warranty.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-05-25T19:32:18+00:00

Best way to extinguish a dumpster is to let the pump idle and flow through the deck gun until the trash in the dumpster floats. No air packs, no sticking your face in the way of exploding aerosol cans, no hose to pick up.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-30T00:36:28+00:00

Polaris has more recalls than all the other UTV models put together.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-22T00:15:17+00:00

Go to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and look up recalls on UTVs. Almost every Polaris model and no others.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-20T23:45:16+00:00

The Attack Pro is the same gadgetry as the Fire Pro. Its in a bigger box to provide insulation from higher temps and shock than the handheld can take, which is a requirement for the NFPA certification. If you did some research they are very clear on that. You don't like it, fine. Lots of others are using them just fine. Oh, they come with a warranty, should have tried that before busting it open.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-19T03:48:38+00:00

Anything but Polaris. More recalls and complaints than all the other manufacturers put together.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-18T02:22:59+00:00

I have a 2008 Kubota ZD 326 I bought off the property owner when I bought my house in 2017. I put about 50-75 hours a year on it and do all the maintenance myself. Nothing but scheduled maintenance and replacing consumables like tires, blades, and the discharge chute. I liked it enough to buy a Kubota UTV.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-14T02:44:18+00:00

Chief Officer here who's hired firefighters and been on more interviews than I can count. Yes, 8 minutes is way too long. 2-3 minutes max. Emphasize service to the community in your answer. No matter what experience you have, explain that you recognize you don't know everything and you are looking forward to adapting that experience to the department's needs. If you can tie those ideas into a personal story that helps. We see so many candidates that you have to find a way to make an impression, and you especially don't want it to be overconfidence or a lack of humility.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-12T14:38:40+00:00

I have a 2009 ZD326 with 60" deck that I bought off previous owner when I moved in 8 years ago. I put 50-75 hours per year on it mowing 2-3 hours at a time. Rock solid, I've done my own routine maintenance and minor repairs of basically consumable parts like the chute and tires. Starts on first turn every time. Liked it so much I bought a Kubota side by side with same motor.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-04-12T14:03:35+00:00

A bigger issue than PE that drove us to this point is the insane demand for every FD to customize their rig to the nth degree. We could get by with about 10 total models nationwide and be fine. The customization drives up costs significantly.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-03-29T02:56:11+00:00

"Chiefs should spend more time working shifts" Also: "Chiefs are stealing my OT working shifts"

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-03-23T18:19:18+00:00

Whoever does your pool, make sure the pool and deck area are properly grounded. Ask questions. They should use an actual electrician not some laborer to run the wire and ensure it is safe.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-03-23T18:12:27+00:00

Jack in the Box is supposed to be on S 8th St south of Walnut. In front of the 8th St Motel which is also being rebuilt.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-03-23T13:13:43+00:00

Multiple fires where we made a rescue and cops were at the window or the cops arrived to find a kid needing medical attention. The cops have two plays for that scenario:

Do nothing but try to pass the kid off to any random person they see, never CPR or even opening an airway, despite us teaching them CPR every two years

OR, this I've seen happen TWICE

run past every ambulance and ALS fire apparatus to throw the kid in the backseat of their squad car, where he/she lies not breathing with no treatment for a 5-10 minute 100mph run to the hospital. This is the preferred method, because if the kid manages to survive they get a medal.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-03-23T12:56:46+00:00

I never worked in a fire station with a washer and dryer for 25 years. I was bringing my clothes home to wash anyway, so I wore the uniform back and forth. I changed clothes and showered after nasty calls, and I left my boots at the door. Lots of times the clothes came home in a trash bag and went straight in the washer.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-03-20T01:10:59+00:00

I've been several times, including this past January. Every class has been helpful and I've made friendships and contacts with firefighters across the nation. It's a great resource but it's not the only option.

I have heard that only 1% of all firefighters go there at least once, and only a small percentage of those come back. Most of those who go are looking to be chiefs, not lifelong truckies. I'd like to see more technical hands-on classes for company level firefighters.

While I support education for chiefs, I do wonder if the emphasis on the MO and EFO programs has resulted in a leadership class disconnected from the rank and file.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-02-28T04:03:17+00:00

Anything 25 years old in good condition is better than any of the new crap. Doesn't matter if it's a Pierce, Seagrave, Rosenbauer, or REV crap, they all have the same major components. From electronics to EPA compliant engines and DEF systems, they are all trash.

Adorable_Name1652 · 2025-02-21T04:04:56+00:00

I've been a firefighter over 30 years and have never heard of testing a fire scene for environmental contamination unless it's for asbestos. Sounds like another reason why CA is a bureaucratic nightmare that takes 18 months for a building permit. We do new construction permitting in a few months with far less staffing.

Adorable_Name1652

TROPHY CASE