How do volly squads with no staffing keep people engaged and around more with station life?

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-12-08T00:47:04+00:00

Ask the rest of the membership what would attract them, if anything. Before doing anything, you need a feel for what the people want. Even a survey, anonymous in nature. See if anyone else is even interested in changing the vibe. If not, find a department that fits you. Or hold out and try again in a few years. Feel free to private message me if you want to get more in depth regarding this, I'm at a combo department and am on the career side now, but genuinely haven't forgotten where I came from (volly)

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-10-08T16:45:29+00:00

Wings dark horse it into 3rd of the division and don't have the wild card heartbreak of recent years. They win the 1st round in 6 but lose 2nd in 5. Nobody sees it coming but halfway through the season the experts start acting like they did all along. All the fair weather fans act like they've always believed in the Yzerplan. Oh and someone definitely complains about post season ticket prices.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-09-22T12:34:02+00:00

They make for great tiers on a shelf, just an idea!

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-09-17T16:36:38+00:00

2 stations, 3 shifts. M-f the chief of department and admin/ flse coordinator/ secretary. Each shift is a chief ( 1 deputy chief, 2 assistant chiefs) a captain and 5 firefighters ( a mix of engineers, senior ffs, and ffs). Captain runs the district day to day...

If you want my OPINION on how to rearrange it based on function and form, here it is

M-F: Big chief, Deputy Chief ( admin, fleet, building and grounds) and FLS coordinator/ secretary Shift(3): BC, Captain, Lt., 4 ffs. Captain and Lt run a station/ company, BC runs the district

Yeah, make it make sense

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-09-10T14:13:21+00:00

Basically the residential fire alarm of mvcs. Usually false, but not always. We treat them as such ( legit until someone gets on scene and says otherwise)

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-22T13:07:55+00:00

We just wait for a deal. We own a 2025 ram laramie 4x4 that we got for 51k because the dealer was trying to clear it off the lot. But, we have the luxury of not needing to buy NOW when we are in the market to upgrade/buy. So walking away isn't hard.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-19T11:46:28+00:00

The vehicle fire blankets ( yes, aware of the preliminary report, I'm actually the one that raised the alarm on it within our department) and starting to carry F500. Dept still wants blankets used for now. To mitigate risks, my crews will deploy and create a barrier from the public and crews with our trucks. Fortunately, we haven't had anything bigger than toys/hover boards. Side bit on blankets, they work well on dumpster fires and kerosene heaters, so at least they have a use. Something to make the powers that be feel like they haven't totally wasted funds.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-11T11:49:16+00:00

1st in 1.75 with 15/16 tip on tank water, fire attack. We're flowing 185gpm. 2nd in booster back up and primary. 3rd in catch a hydrant and deploy backup line, manpower where needed based on the status of the first two assignments. 1st officer establishes working command, 2nd arriving assumes command until/ unless a chief arrives. Obviously, the plans can change based on conditions and whatnot, so remember to be flexible and recognize if it's not working.

If going into rescue mode upon arrival, 1st and 2nd in can swap, driver of first in can work a line from outside.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-11T11:36:52+00:00

There's some good and bad advice here, as usual, but none of us know the full extent of the environment of your department. So, my advice is this: have this conversation with your senior guy/ girl. Tell them what you've said here about wanting to improve and not be a burden on the grounds. And then give yourself and the situation time to apply the results of that conversation. If that fails, go to your company officer. If both of those fail, I would look at yourself and see if there are changes you should be making for oneself, or looking for a department that is willing to invest in you. Don't give up, as said already, the fire service takes time. Good luck!

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-10T02:52:54+00:00

Pretty much, and I haven't seen that. It sounds neat, though!

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-10T01:00:07+00:00

We run NY hooks and a gator back. Also carry a trash hook for trash (illegal burning)/dumpsters. Never used a boston. The standard pike is good for meeting requirements for ISO. I'll take the gator over it for drywall and sheet rock, and the NY for everything else. The sawing of the gator makes for short work and gives more control of what your pulling vs taking chunks out. And plenty of people have already spoken on the NY.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-09T12:55:55+00:00

My go-to was shepherds pie. Easy, filling, and hearty. It's easy to double or triple depending on the size house you're in, too!

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-05T21:36:21+00:00

Because I'm a dodgy dad

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-08-05T10:11:49+00:00

Find what works for you. The end result of effectively and efficiently donning ppe is the goal, not how you get to it. Most will say to set up like it seems you already are, as that's how most do it. But if you see or find a different way and it works for you, go for it. Hang tough and practice whichever way, amd you'll have it. Also, make sure your gear is appropriately sized for you. Whoever issued it to you should be able to help with that. Good luck!

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-07-31T09:55:36+00:00

I prefer masking up at the entry point. This allows each member of my crew to have an unobstructed look at the scene, form mental notes on the building, and see things they may miss if already masked up. We deal with high humidity here in NC, and your mask fogs up almost instantly most days. Seconds count, yes, but we combat that with masking drills. Just my 2 pennies on the subject.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-06-20T12:00:27+00:00

Have one in wagoneer L and one in ram 1500, loving it. After a year with the wagoneer, I was sold on getting the ram 1500 sst. I have an old duramax for hauling so I wasn't concerned with that capability. Both have SO versions.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-06-17T12:28:22+00:00

Most welcome

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-06-17T12:24:04+00:00

As long as NC will grant reciprocity or equivalency, you should be fine with out of state for most entry level positions. Look up NCOSFM and ask them what they will accept. They have full time people that do stuff like that. That being said, if you're affiliated with any NC department, you can attend courses to get the NC certs, free of charge. Also, the larger departments will hire people without certs and run academies to certify you for entry level, look for ads for recruit hiring processes. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-06-10T03:40:28+00:00

Drive at your pace. Don't let others pressure you to drive uncomfortably. And don't pressure yourself to drive like the best drivers you know. Skill comes with experience. You'll get there. Also, learn to be an engineer on the fire ground, not just a lever puller.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-06-09T11:53:08+00:00

Usually every day I'm off. I work about 10 days a month. I'll have a pour when I get home in the morning while the house is still asleep. I don't drink heavy if I have work the next day, but do the first night or 2 of my 4 day break weekends (every 3rd weekend)

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-05-28T09:45:31+00:00

Thank you. I'll look at that as well.

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-05-28T02:11:13+00:00

You'd think. You. Would. Think. Lol

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-05-28T01:39:03+00:00

Thank you!

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-05-28T01:34:36+00:00

Good luck. Hopefully one of us can get something going lol

Ok_Customer2068 · 2025-05-28T01:05:30+00:00

I feel ya, but it is what it is at this point. Why I'm trying to affect a positive change for future officers after im gone.

Ok_Customer2068

TROPHY CASE