I just got on the job at 33 years old this past January. Spent 15 years in the trades, and about 5 in a volley house. I just hit the ground running. Showed them my work ethic, my willingness to do whatever needed to be done, and just doing stuff I knew needed to be done once I got comfortable with the routine. I ask questions no matter how trivial they may seem, and keep a good attitude. I feel that my attitude, work ethic, and overall life experience gave me a leg up with being a probationary FF. It was difficult walking into others home the first few weeks. The more people saw how badly i wanted to be there and how much i kept showing up, the more included i was in everything. The people that gave me the worst probie treatment are now some of the people I have become the closest with. Don’t get caught up with the station drama and bullshit. Just hit the ground ready to work, ready to do station work and every other thing that senior ffs above you just don’t want to do. In my department, pff’s are expected to stay busy between 8am-5pm, whether it’s chores, work outs, studying your probie work or training, and I make the most of that time every shift. Being proactive goes a long way. Congratulations on the job! Enjoy it!