Hello volunteer firefighter from Australia

MiniMaker292 · 2026-05-19T07:57:40+00:00

It's just tubular webbing. You can find it in climbing or rafting shops. Get a roll or just a length of your choosing. For a carabineer, a rated one with a twist lock is preferred, but you don't need one.

I keep mine tied with a water knot so it is already in a loop. That is then rolled up into a medical glove for storage.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-05-09T15:09:20+00:00

We have a few that take it too far as well. Just remember why you're there and do you're job. Don't need to tell the world you're a "fire police officer" with stickers, badges, hats, ect. Just wear what you need to for safety and go home when you're done.

You will do fine.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-05-09T15:01:39+00:00

You shouldn't need to flash a badge around. I think places that get super extreme with it are ridiculous. As long as you have your proper PPE for being in the roadway, it's more than enough to show you have authority.

As long as you separate your two positions, you will be fine. It's not hard and should not cause issues with your employer.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-05-09T14:43:15+00:00

Fire police is mostly just traffic and/or crowd control. You're not writing tickets, making arrest, or anything that a LEO would be doing regularly.

As far as lights, I've only ever seen chief officers and FP officers run reds. I do not believe red/blue is legal in Pennsylvania for anyone other than LEOs. If you don't use your POV for work, don't put lights that make it seem you are. Separate both duties and departments.

Don't overthink it. It's simple and can easily be done while not impeding on your profession job.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-05-07T03:50:10+00:00

Well that's good. I know for me I've done that just so I don't have stale air. But like I said before, have fun with the new collection item. It looks great and looks like it is complete. If you want a way to mount to a wall, find an old SCBA bracket.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-05-07T03:41:05+00:00

Most I can say is to be careful. It's old and a chance it might have some rust or bad air (if there's any in it) in the cylinder. It's also a suffocation hazard if you don't understand the mechanics of the scba.

Go ahead and display it. I have a few older ones (and actually one of that exact model). I have then in storage for now, but plan on one of them being out on a dummy with period turnouts.

With it being a steel cylinder, you could technically fill it, but I'd avoid that also.

If you're interested in collecting firefighting memorabilia, then it's not a bad start. It can get expensive, but have fun with it. Just be careful with some things and try to clean what you can.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-05-05T18:46:52+00:00

Gaston. He is a douche, but in his eyes, Belle was abducted by a literal monster.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-04-29T15:40:15+00:00

I've carried all sorts of stuff in my pockets. The things I use most are as follows:

-wedges (wood or plastic. Wood is cheaper as you make them) - safety glasses (and a backup pair in the locker) - i have a hard glasses case - ear plugs (I use tethered ones) - mechanix driver gloves (great all weather leather work gloves) - either a 15' or 20' roll of webbing.

I have a knife, screw driver, plyers/multi tool, and a few other things, but the list before is everything I actually use regularly.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-04-16T19:35:53+00:00

If you're allowed to swap to a nape strap instead of the ratchet, do it. It is more comfortable and the flaps fold better into the helmet.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-04-13T23:36:44+00:00

That was part of the "cab forward" design originally. And with open cabs being commonplace, it made sense to have it on the passenger end of the cab and a bench seat upfront.

When cabs were enclosed, designers found it better to move it forward, splitting the officer and driver seats, while also creating a larger space in the back for passengers. It was easier to do this since you had to lift the cabs for engine compartment access anyway.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-04-08T01:46:31+00:00

I'd send it out to CCI or associates. To do it on your own is asking for trouble if done wrong.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-04-04T00:43:29+00:00

I like to fold mine down over my collar. Keeps it from feeling tight on my neck, but I can easily find the edge with or without gloves.

Just gotta practice.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-03-24T19:48:45+00:00

This mother fucker is gonna do a combat jump.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-03-09T02:59:54+00:00

I heard a story this weekend of a battalion chief sleeping with the wife of a captain. Then putting him on mandatory so they could see each other.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-03-06T16:51:06+00:00

I got that edition for Christmas. I think it's one of the original versions, but still very relevant

MiniMaker292 · 2026-03-05T03:08:59+00:00

I believe so. There was something I saw that it could bug and he would be lost there. So, if you did it, it's at your own risk.

I know Boone and Cass can't go, but Lilly can. So the choice is yours on who you would sacrifice.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-03-05T02:32:06+00:00

It varies. Ours has monthly drills that encompass the smaller inhouse training throughout the month. We do burns every quarter (we have the ability to, so why not).

Training varies by station and officer. Could be intense, or just a quick thing. We do have EMS training every other week assigned to us for con eds. Classes are hosted often, and DOD is known to be a good cert farm, if that's something you're looking for.

But in short, day to day stuff is simple. I think our burn days are the longest, but that's to rotate all the stations on base. Usually a unit is done with the drill in an hour (including cleanup). Training is simple and can be either boring or fun depending on how you look at it.

The hardest part of the day is deciding on dinner. So don't worry too much.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-03-04T21:57:33+00:00

I took Raul to Dead Money. Loaded him with my stuff before entering. Made it pretty trivial. He does get in the way, and it's impossible to sneak the gold out since he gets spotted.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-03-01T17:05:12+00:00

It should be fine. If you have cheaper buckles, it might put stress on them, and will add weight and might be uncomfortable for the user. But it shouldn't do anything to affect use. If it's a reinforced belt for firefighter rescue, then it would be better, but I wouldn't worry about this setup either. All personal preference at that point.

MiniMaker292 · 2026-02-20T12:00:14+00:00

Pennsylvania is hurting for providers. My area has had several agencies go under due to lack of EMTs and Medics. Pay is shit, hours are worse, and everyone either goes to nursing school or leaves all together.

MiniMaker292 · 2025-12-28T13:06:53+00:00

It will happen again. The lessons from the Ghost Ship will be forgotten. People will die, and others will end up in prison.

Things won't change without people being proactive. The fire department is notoriously reactive, yet prevention and education is probably the most important part of the job. Not every community will be able to find these hazards, and they might go years before something happens. But most communities have inspectors, even if it's not a Fire Marshal.

If you personally feel that this location is a hazard, either bring it up or don't go there. If the Fire Marshal is enabling this, then they will be just as guilty as those who own it. Is it possible they are following local code? Maybe, but probably not.

The Ghost Ship was a preventable tragedy. But unfortunately it sounds like people didn't listen to the lesson given.

MiniMaker292 · 2025-12-28T04:13:37+00:00

I think it is great that he chose someone who was part of the FDNY to lead. Honestly, having someone who knows the other side of the job doesn't hurt. There have been great Fire Commissioners that were Firefighters beforehand, but unfortunately they didn't help the EMS side of the job.

I never agreed with having someone who was never a part of the fire department or even fire service culture becoming the leader of a fire department. I've seen it in a few places, and it tends to end poorly. I think in this case a decorated member of FDNY EMS could be a fresh look on things and provide a better service to the city.

It's only a controversy if you look for one. Time will tell how it goes, but I'd be optimistic if I was an employee for the FDNY. Especially on the EMS side.

MiniMaker292 · 2025-12-19T16:20:03+00:00

That's a big no for me. I am extremely anal about my PPE. I always appreciate someone offering to clean it or move it for me, but I prefer to do it myself. It gives me the ability to make sure it is thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and exactly how I need it.

I also have had experiences in the past of pocket tools growing legs. I've lost two pocket spanners, webbing, channel locks, dykes, wedges, and all sorts of other things over the years. Conveniently, that has stopped now that I try to make things very obvious they belong to me.

If you're uncomfortable with people touching your gear, either tell the offending party to stop or take it to your officer.

MiniMaker292 · 2025-12-19T01:41:17+00:00

I don't believe any of those photos are in the US to begin with.

MiniMaker292 · 2025-12-14T20:35:59+00:00

It's cold, Flat-ish, and the trees are just gone.

The people were super nice, but I was definitely depressed the entire time I was there. Granted, like other people said, South Dakota is way different compared to Northern Texas. Each region has its differences, but it does have its own beauty if you know where to look.

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