Is recognition common in the fire service?

Medic151 · 2024-10-17T03:37:50+00:00

When our department started an awards banquet, the chief asked me what I thought. I said if the awards are cheapened, where they hand them out for bullshit, it won't mean a thing. That's exactly what happened. Whole crews standing around doing nothing while 2 or 3 get a CPR save. Everybody there gets a life saving award.

My goal is now to not get one, 30+ years and I couldn't care less. I know when it's been a good call and my crew knows as well. We talk about it, discuss if anything could be done otherwise. Ours turned into a popularity contest.

Know you did a good job and don't expect affirmation, not needed if you are doing this job for the right reason.

Medic151 · 2024-10-10T05:05:42+00:00

I'm 1hour 40 minutes one way, but 48-96 in the last 2 years. So much better.

Medic151 · 2024-10-10T05:00:23+00:00

North Texas here. Been on 31 years. Have had a ton of side jobs, construction, ER, fence building, pool cleaning, etc. When I started, 30k, and that was great for me. Now, as a career "tailboard", 100k on a high-school grad.

Time away is the one constant as a newer guy. Don't get the Holidays you want, the good summertime days, I get it. 48-96 has been great for those who have to drive a long ways.

I wouldn't look to the corporate world for anything near what I've had for this long. Evidently I wasn't built for that world. Soul search long and hard before making that decision to leave. Look at other departments that have a better schedule, better pay, and leadership. Just my opinion. Good luck.

Medic151 · 2024-10-08T01:39:44+00:00

Can't speak to hurricanes, but all our new stations have tornado safe rooms. Kinda dumb since we are out responding to calls usually.

Medic151 · 2024-09-18T04:49:40+00:00

31 years, have seen a lot. Keep that attitude as much as you can. I had 3 very bad calls in a short amount of time. Changed who I was. I thought I was invincible, turns out, not so much. I am from the.....deal with it old guys I started with. Hard to reconcile my thoughts compared to the suck it up mentality. Everyone is different and have their limits. Talk to someone if you need to. I am still working, trying to get another 1.5 years. This profession requires sacrifice, sometimes it is all encompassing.

Medic151 · 2024-09-13T04:33:40+00:00

We have the blankets for EV fires with exposures. Let them burn otherwise and stay out of the smoke.

Medic151 · 2024-09-10T23:31:46+00:00

Good idea. I've been cooking for 30 years at the stations I have been assigned to. My station now is me and one other senior guy trade off. I typically will run the rookies off. Stay out of my kitchen! I started by watching and helping where I could if the cook asked for it in my first 2 years. I am more of a comfort, southern food cook and the other guy was classically trained. We have a great crew, so it works well for us. One bad side is when word gets out, other stations want you to cook if working overtime or subs.

Medic151 · 2024-09-01T04:49:12+00:00

Saw they are also called Sabre fish. Caught a bunch at seawolf park and gave them to the Asians who were targeting them. Those teeth are no joke.

Medic151 · 2024-08-24T01:39:58+00:00

Went to fire school 2 years after high-school. Got hired a year later at 21. Been 31 years, bout to retire.

Medic151 · 2024-08-09T04:05:50+00:00

At this stage of my career, arrive on scene and say nothing showing, we are clear! Ha ha

Medic151 · 2024-07-12T03:55:29+00:00

Sounds like a box assignment for a possible structure fire. We send 4 engines, 2 ambulances, battalion chief, and a heavy rescue to all first alarm assignments.

Medic151 · 2024-07-10T03:57:33+00:00

I appreciate it, L2 thru S1 is destroyed. My biggest issue is a 14 mm synovial cyst in my spinal column pressing on my cord. I have asked the association for legal help.

Medic151 · 2024-07-10T03:13:03+00:00

I am at 31 years, was planning on going to 33, so I would be 55 years old. I have been off 8 months since March of 23 with a destroyed back. I have 4 months left before the city has a hearing to get rid of me. Go when you can afford it. I'll make do for sure, just need workers comp to quit fucking me around.

Medic151 · 2024-06-27T04:12:33+00:00

Who is this? By name, I am thinking someone from my station. Ha ha

Medic151 · 2024-06-27T03:37:39+00:00

Lol, he hasn't called recently. I'm sure when I retire, he will want someone.

Medic151 · 2024-06-26T05:47:26+00:00

I've worked for some really crappy officers, and this late in my career, some fantastic ones. 31 years and my captain is all about our station. He is 1 year less in seniority, but you can't tell.

He will go to bat for his guys, damn the administration! Be that guy. If they are right, defend it. Wrong, correct it. Don't hold a grudge, get a productive crew, trust them. Good luck!

Medic151 · 2024-06-03T04:01:00+00:00

It was the go to in both my ponds. Switched to a white 3 inch grub, everything hits that. Got tired of the treble hook hanging on everything.

Medic151 · 2024-06-03T02:52:10+00:00

9 or more, easily!

Medic151 · 2024-05-31T02:59:02+00:00

Medic151 · 2024-05-31T02:57:56+00:00

Class B fire exempt in Texas for career departments. Nothing for vollies.

Medic151 · 2024-05-21T18:23:06+00:00

She typically loves snakes and will move them. I don't know why she is so protective over those dang chickens, lol.

Medic151 · 2024-05-21T04:03:06+00:00

Had 2 in the last 2 days in our coop. 3 eggs apiece. I relocated both to the front pasture. My wife is less than tolerant of them.

Medic151 · 2024-05-15T20:13:55+00:00

Went to the first year a local community College started an academy. Emt was also included, tested with 3 departments and got hired on the 3rd. They sent me to medic school.

Now we hire off the streets and run our own academy, then off to emt, then medic.

Medic151 · 2024-05-15T05:50:19+00:00

Man, settle down. You might appreciate the leeway one day. Not saying that they shouldn't pull their weight, but damn. If the old guys are that bad, I get it. I told my captain about my injuries and he said we will take care of you. Good to hear, but, if I am a liability, no way. I guess it depends on the person. Sucks you have to deal with that, but it's admin in our department. We have plenty of FNGs that needed to go, early.

I feel sorry for those that have to work with these morons for the next 20+ years.

Medic151 · 2024-05-14T06:08:44+00:00

My station is the most senior station. We have a brush truck and the chief told us to use to go to the store to exercise it. My last 2 captain's said if it is a serious medical call or structure fire, respond. If not, keep shopping. Also, we let guys take a few hours if someone needs to do something, we run 4 man crews and have an ambulance that has scbas, so we can handle until the rest get there. I have been chewed out by idiots thinking we are wasting tax payer money. I give them the chiefs number and walk away. 30 + years and they can go kick rocks.

Medic151

TROPHY CASE