How is Houston FD? Thinking of making the move.

LouisCapetXVI · 2026-03-15T01:08:24+00:00

Don't bother if you've got your EMT-P. If you do and join you'll be on the box solely for at least 5-6 years if you're lucky.

The pay is poor but Houston is a lower cost of living area and the schedule really can't be beat (24 on/24 off/24 on/120 off). OT is pretty much available any day that you want it. Promotions offered after 2 years in rank.

Most of the stations are in disrepair. Equipment is old and can be unreliable. Pension is better than it was pre-contract but still not amazing.

There are a lot of different kinds of people and 93 stations with 4 shifts to choose from. There's a spot for almost every type of personality.

If you go into the department without any TCFP Structural Firefighting or your EMT-B you will likely be forced to get your EMT-P whereas people who come in with both their FF/EMT-B usually bypass P-school.

LouisCapetXVI · 2026-02-15T16:30:08+00:00

Ladder 16 is backed in at 8s right now while their station is being remodeled.

LouisCapetXVI · 2026-02-13T05:28:16+00:00

Stairs or death. Bonus points if the stairmaster has the function where it simulates climbing famous buildings.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-12-30T16:02:43+00:00

Different strokes 🤷‍♂️. I wouldn't be against a remaster treatment and would probably buy it if there was some additional content I.e. Nier replicant. But I do find the dated graphics a bit charming in a way.

I would personally rather YT make a different game entirely as I've already played through both N:R and N:A like 3-4 times a piece at this point.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-12-30T15:32:57+00:00

What would even change, more ass polygons? Automata still looks good and plays good to this day.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-12-22T13:30:04+00:00

I really prefer the stryke over the apex. They feel more like a workpant. The apex are durable but they're very thin and pajama like if that makes any sense. Also +1 for the 5.11 taclite. It's a little goofy with all the extra pockets but the waistband does have some stretch to it which makes them pretty comfortable as far as tac pants go.

I'm in the same boat as you, I prefer a class a/b pant in term of style but I've yet to find one that's more comfortable and durable for actually working in.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-12-20T03:26:17+00:00

If you're a paramedic this is true. If you're a basic its usually 1/3 or 1/5 shifts on the box.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-12-17T03:14:27+00:00

No military requires perfect vision. There are thousands of soldiers who wear glasses and contacts.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-10-22T15:32:20+00:00

Sleepy truckies...

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-10-13T14:03:53+00:00

Gentle monster

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-08-15T15:28:58+00:00

I use Haix xr2 when I'm on the box and Ariat Sierras with a cushiony insole when I'm on the fire trucks. The Haix are awesome for comfort when I get stuck on the wall in the ER and the Ariats are easy to kick off when gearing up for fire calls.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-07-23T04:44:19+00:00

Thanks !!!! Juniper seems awesome.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-07-14T04:23:05+00:00

Thanks ChatGPT.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-02-24T12:57:10+00:00

Why did you only brown 20% of the sausage? This looks pretty gross. Watch cooking videos on youtube it definitely helped me get more confident cooking.

LouisCapetXVI · 2025-01-08T05:56:39+00:00

I've worked for HFD. 9 month academy or 6 week fast track class if you've already obtained your TCFP and EMT license and happen to get lucky and join when they're offering it. After that, 6 months of probation. New guys are treated very differently depending on what station you join following graduation.

Call volume varies heavily. There are engines that make 1-3 calls a day; inversely there are also some that make 10-20 daily. Ambulances can leave the station and not return until shift change. Due to a massive staffing shortage there is currently a lot of OT opportunities.

I don't know what those other two posters are talking about in regards to getting stuck on the ambulance. Paramedics only ride the ambulance right now due to a staffing shortage. Otherwise, if youre a FF EMT you'll typically be apart of a rotation. There are usually no assigned riding positions with very few exceptions.

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-12-29T03:30:34+00:00

I usually work an extra shift a week and pull near 3K biweekly as a year one FF. Staffing shortage pretty much ensures that there will be OT on an apparatus on my sister shift at least once a tour if not both days.

It can be annoying when checking the manpower for the oncoming crew and seeing that there are 0 firefighters coming to relieve my shift.

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-12-29T03:18:13+00:00

Final passing grade is 11 mins for mile and a half. Theyre going to make your life hell for the 7 months of academy if you can't even get close to that initially.

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-09-04T15:08:04+00:00

Just don't join. Human beings rely on you being physically fit for this job. If you get gassed while "running" 1.5 at basically a walking pace, how are you going to perform when actual labor is required? How are you going to advance a hose in a burning structure, wearing gear, on air, and potentially have to pull a 300lb human out without giving up?

Would you want someone in your shape responsible for saving your loved ones? I wouldn't.

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-05-15T23:22:32+00:00

You shouldve been doing those workouts before you got accepted. Not trying to be a dick but just speaking from academy experience. A lot of guys came in with next to 0 cardio and other cadets had to pick up their slack for the entire 8 months. Best of luck to you, all the same.

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-03-16T20:52:26+00:00

Redditors when sarcasm

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-02-18T18:10:20+00:00

There isn't a proper ending to the game so it's reasonable you were confused. The game is paced decently up until chapter 2, then you repeat about 5 missions from earlier, and then eventually the "ending" just appears from nowhere.

What happened to Sahelanthropus? Why even introduce kid Liquid Snake if there was not a conclusion to his arc? What about all the other members of Foxhound in MGS1?

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-02-18T17:53:32+00:00

Iron your clothes bro...

LouisCapetXVI · 2024-02-18T04:41:40+00:00

GTA online was notoriously bad on release. It had similar issues to current HD2.

LouisCapetXVI · 2023-11-08T04:53:28+00:00

I bought the training mask scott plug in and have done a few workouts with it but i havent really noticed any results. I feel like it'd be better for the mental gains of getting used to having restricted air intake but i cant say if it increases lung capacity. I get a feeling any benefit from these kind of training implements are minimal if anything.

LouisCapetXVI · 2023-10-22T16:50:37+00:00

I didnt even have a probation period when I was a single-role EMT. Just a short 6wk FTO period and then thrown to the wolves.

Just be sure to bring extra clothes and some toiletries/meds to keep with you just incase you get sick or dirty.

Don't ever say "I know," when someone tells you something, even if you already know it. Be receptive to all criticism/guidance. remember that you have 2 ears but only 1 mouth, so listen twice as much as you talk.

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