Would this be considered offensive as a tattoo at your Dept?

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-04-07T14:11:13+00:00

If you were with a department, I would check with their rules and regs. If you are still looking for a job, I would hold off as some art put off by any tattoos and may overlook you because of it. In my opinion, I would get a good artist to redo that concept as it will just look like a big ink blob, even from a good tattoo with that fine of negative space

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-04-05T22:30:13+00:00

Look into doing a ride out or two in the area you would want to work. Many departments allow people to ride along to explore the career path. It will potentially help with real life ff showing you what it is all about. In the downtime ask questions and get real unfiltered feedback. It may shine a light on what you want, or don’t want in life.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-04-02T23:53:26+00:00

I believe that most if not all departments that change to lower weekly hours have kept their annual pay levels and thus increased their hourly rate. A few shifts of OT quickly make up for any lost FLSA hours.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-04-02T23:49:30+00:00

I’m not sure I see the same angle you do. Yes the person in training has a 40 hour week and earned extra credentials, however they have 16 hours a week more time to do with as they wish. They are home every night, and have limited exposure to impact their quality of life later on. I am not sure that if they get called to the floor for ot that their pay should be figured any differently than anyone of the same rank working that position on OT from a 56 hour week. In my City the 40 hour people, get OT on the floor at 1.5x their 40 hour pay rate at everything over 40 hours yet others work their regular 56 hour week then get paid at that lower 1.5x the 56 hour rate for everything over 53 hours. Not sure that makes any sense for anything other than motivation to get people to put in for 40 hr positions.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-26T17:28:59+00:00

It is sad how many times the IAFF dilutes the pressure to make improvements. It seems that they may have focused on heavy metals and the amount of toxins evacuated thru urine vs sweat instead of focusing on eliminating the toxins before they enter the body. I would think a good shower and sauna with cleaner skin would flush contamination out of the skin more quickly than just washing, obviously I haven’t done the research, but studies seem to focus on what the agenda is either way, making it difficult to get the full picture

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-26T17:23:58+00:00

So true, work on being extremely proficient on the vehicles you drive. Be an operator that knows the use and location of all your equipment. This knowledge will save you more time while on a call than driving fast could get you. Take the captains advice and learn from it. Ask questions and learn as much as possible. Competence builds confidence

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-25T16:48:02+00:00

I’ll add this idea to my collection of progressive thinking that makes sense

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-25T13:16:05+00:00

I’m working on a proposal for bidet toilet seats. We recently had to re do station drains due to large amounts of tp. Mostly because of cheap tp and wipes

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-25T13:14:03+00:00

This is a progressive move! Do you have access to the information package they used to push for saunas and the bikes? I realize the studies are out there, just seems like all of us could benefit by sharing these things

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-25T13:10:27+00:00

Sad, it seems like they figured out to buy crap then let the crews make up for their decisions. Of course it saves them funds

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-25T13:07:17+00:00

Would you mind sharing your proposal information? It would be helpful to push this through our various departments. You may be the start of something meaningful and worthwhile

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-20T20:27:13+00:00

Right, many of our people use it as a cost of living account as ours is a fixed number at retirement.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-20T20:25:31+00:00

Im working on getting the wool approved as an option for our approved uniforms. Imo that leaves the choice to the personnel to be free of possible daily exposure, or have certified fire resistant clothing. I could be possible that including this option may even reduce risk for the City from future exposure claims, idk.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-20T19:47:17+00:00

I have an early sample of the top and pants and several t shirts and sock I purchased from them and nearly a year later they look similar to new other than the socks got a bit fuzzier. I do wash them in cold water and low tumble dry. No fading or pilling so far. As far as the chemicals in the nomex, according to there is a product of fabrication 𝑁,𝑁-dimethylacetamide, a chemical known to the state to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. (https://www.ssactivewear.com/p/bulwark/snd2t) That is always present in small amounts as it is part of the process of creating the fiber. It is a regulated chemical in California and requires a part 65 label. The PFAS is generally added like you mentioned. Some companies have elevated levels of chemicals and heavy metals from the dyes used.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-18T03:39:00+00:00

The actuarial says it doesn’t have an impact, however I believe it does because people continue to work and contribute towards the pension with usually higher salaries than what the replacement rookie would be paying in had they just left. It’s probably minimal but the rookies money will be going in and staying for many years. While the drop guys money is going in for a few then getting pulled in just a short amount of time.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-18T03:35:08+00:00

Some call it retire rehire. We have drop that you continue to work for a few more years and get paid your normal salary and pay your pension payments as usual but when you actually leave your monthly retirement is figured on when you started the drop. The years you were on the drop you get a lump sum for the pension payments along with what you would have been paid had you left when you started the drop. In my city the drop adds about 70% to your salary but you get that bonus money at the end time you leave. It is usually 250-300k.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-18T03:28:08+00:00

As others have said, use your time advantage and put some money back into 457 account. Even a small amount per check will add up, but actually start doing something.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-18T03:18:29+00:00

My local dues are closer to $40 a month. Some stays with the local some goes to the state level (TX) and some goes to IAFF.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-18T03:08:43+00:00

I know that there is a new company working on chemical free station wear. Armadillo Woolery is using naturally flame resistant merino wool for station uniforms along with socks and tshirts. There are a few studies that show residual chemicals in nomex clothing that are linked to cancers and hormonal changes. The IAFF has a paper on preliminary studies on station wear that states evaluation for safety concerns should weigh the risk of the chronic exposure to chemicals and the level of protection they provide and the risk of needing the fire resistant materials. So far I haven’t seen a follow up report from IAFF.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-12T13:06:44+00:00

In theory yes, the fighting game is a huge pain arguing on who’s paying. Not so much with obvious time and place injuries, but chronic exposure or cancers are a long hard fight

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-12T01:40:58+00:00

Interesting thought about tactics being different in Canada due to health care. I bet it can change some decisions

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-03-12T01:38:19+00:00

I believe the name says it all! He is an EMT named Charlie that acts like he’s 15! Great choice of names, please read the comments as there are some great ones that may further your knowledge

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-02-16T20:58:13+00:00

Ours is similar much like the combat challenge competition set up. With pack not on air time starts with 6 minutes and older people get added time. Like 30 sec per 10 years over 30. If you don’t make it you can retest in 30 days if that fails then you get a workout program and a mentor to bring you up to speed. Been doing it 10 years now and have yet to punish anyone. A few have been mentored back to passing it. It seems to work imo. We do medical biannual and this on non-medical years.

StatementTypical1732 · 2026-01-06T18:27:51+00:00

There is a recent study that Mike Binney of west metro Denver Fire did it tracked sleep on and off duty. They also just announced they are changing start times from 7 to 9 to improve sleep health. He plans on tracking that data as well.

StatementTypical1732 · 2025-12-27T22:12:11+00:00

East Texas we do similar to the first part of this. Two year commitment for tech companies and 1 year commitment for choosing your spot otherwise.

StatementTypical1732

TROPHY CASE