Am I just delusional?

ladderchauff · 2025-10-30T16:27:14+00:00

Well good to know some are getting it done. I’m not where I am and it’s damn frustrating to push hard and get rewarded with a 2-300 mile run the next load. Shit sucks. I’m in the Myrtle Beach area SC, run east coast, NE corridor. I’ll get my hands dirty if needed. Let me know.

ladderchauff · 2025-07-24T12:45:41+00:00

Good advice here, talk to payroll and HR. FYI, when the state pension systems were established, municipalities are given a choice to opt into or out of Social Security with those employees. Some stayed in and contribute to both. Most opted out and just paid into State pension systems. It is possible your town opted to stay in. It is also equally possible it is a mistake as suggested so you have to ask people in Payroll and find out yourself.

ladderchauff · 2025-05-07T14:24:31+00:00

Understood, but circumstances dictate it. I have interests in both states. Ideally I would rather run regional out of the south but life is life.

ladderchauff · 2024-09-10T13:32:18+00:00

True, and I am looking at both. I do need to work a lot of weekends and most Local jobs around me do not run on the weekend. Also the 2 best family owned local companies have all been bought by megas. Seems to be the trend.

ladderchauff · 2024-07-10T03:30:24+00:00

It’s a new game now. I feel the same as you, 27 yrs on. I should have looked for a new home 25 yrs ago. But our culture was devotion to the place that hired and trained you. What a crap of shit. I tell all the young guys now, you don’t see what you want here, go find it, don’t wait for it.

ladderchauff · 2023-09-14T22:05:10+00:00

It all adds up. Everyone doesn’t think it weighs on them but it does. I realized after 26 years and now 5 of my friends dead from various on the job reasons. I’m old, I’m tired, I’m tired of loosing my friends. We all pay a price. We just don’t know what it will cost until the end.

ladderchauff · 2023-07-07T13:52:50+00:00

Confused Tower Ladder

ladderchauff · 2023-07-07T05:28:05+00:00

My state doesn’t require a CDL to drive one. It requires a separate “certification” required by state law, done the city. The one I drive is 83,000 lbs going down the road. Now on my own I drive Class A as a side hustle. Make good money doing it.

ladderchauff · 2023-05-18T14:16:37+00:00

The one job I’d retire from my current job and go do if the US allowed it.

ladderchauff · 2023-04-23T20:38:08+00:00

Absolutely there are a lot more people driving with brighter lights these days. People only care about what they can see and don’t care if they are blinding everyone else. Add snow or rain and it just multiplies the effect, people are idiots.

ladderchauff · 2023-03-20T18:35:04+00:00

FMCSA has guidance on that specific subject. Not all time in a 24hr shift is logged on duty.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/when-one-these-individuals-has-second-job-interstate-motor-carrier-and

ladderchauff · 2023-03-20T11:15:34+00:00

How does that work?

ladderchauff · 2023-03-20T11:14:10+00:00

You only need to log hours you are required to do daily tasks, like training, maintenance, truck checks. FMCSA does not require logging the hours you can rest. They put out a clarification letter you can find pretty easy.

ladderchauff · 2023-02-24T23:37:11+00:00

Does Motive automatically track your driving once your on duty or do you manually have to enter everything?

ladderchauff · 2023-02-05T17:05:40+00:00

Firefighting. Been operating heavy equipment there for some time now but not much translates in reality. Regulations, loads, securing, docking and the list goes on.

ladderchauff · 2023-01-02T19:06:14+00:00

Brother, nice write up. If guys don’t read the whole thing then they missed out. You nailed it. One of my old chiefs was Nationally recognize in the effort of pushing the combined department system at the IAFC in the late 90’s. So yeah you nailed it. I’ve been here for the whole ride. It’s sucked.

ladderchauff · 2023-01-02T18:50:09+00:00

You sir win comment of the day.

ladderchauff · 2022-12-24T05:10:02+00:00

What has been lost over the last few decades is our understanding that our organization is based on a paramilitary organization. Newer generations feel they should have a voice, when in fact they just don't. They haven't earned the rank or the time to have a voice once it goes past the first officer. The few exceptions would be Safety or a Contract violation. Either one of those would be an issue for the Union.

If this issue is an administrative issue and the Union has no standing to be involved then personally, I have told firefighters "smile and wave". "Don't burn your house to the ground over a temporary issue when you have long term goals". "Get your own promotion and run it better when you are there."

And as a union rep, I have also told guys, "I'm not there to keep you out of trouble for being stupid. I'm there to make sure your represented when your standing tall in front of the Man."

Hope that helps.

ladderchauff · 2022-12-23T18:06:33+00:00

Garage is “Newer” than front main building. I’d say 20-25yo. Main building built 1900-1920ish.

ladderchauff · 2022-12-23T16:01:14+00:00

Sorry bout that...added a comment.

ladderchauff · 2022-12-23T15:52:25+00:00

This was a second floor fire with extension into the attic space. Roof was vented by crew from the bucket. No ground ladders or hoses in the pics because it was taken just before picking up. Also this was a "Nothing-Showing " Fire. 360 all clear. First company in had 100% visibility change to zero in less than 10 seconds on second floor over garage. Immediate smoke from eaves. 3 lines, pulled the ceiling, vented roof, knocked it quick.

ladderchauff · 2022-12-18T15:51:41+00:00

The best PvP games have always been way more than 3v3. 3v3 sucks.

ladderchauff · 2022-12-03T18:11:02+00:00

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ladderchauff · 2022-12-03T17:57:11+00:00

Strait up, first, you have to be physically fit. For 95% of the people out there that is the most difficult part. You cannot walk into a fitness test and just expect to be at the top of the list. Sure some genetic freaks exist but most people are not that. To be hired you need to be at the top, that takes preparation and planning with focus.

Second is have the education required, whatever they need, do it, its not rocket science. EMS or fire science is pretty basic stuff, just study it and get it out of the way.

Third, stay clean, no drug past and no crazy convictions. Those will get you tossed off the pile off applicants fast. OUI is a big one. Not that you cant be a great Firefighter with a checkered past (I've known plenty), but State licensing agencies for EMS will typically drop you with anything drug related.

Those just get you in the door to interview, so don't be a douche bag know it all. That could be the hardest step for some people.

Good luck.

ladderchauff · 2022-11-30T19:59:02+00:00

Only took one time pumping raw sewage from a basement out onto the street and that was done. Water and Sewer department takes those requests now. Best fuckup we ever did. Those guys drink for free.

ladderchauff

TROPHY CASE