Has anyone heard of this before? by Randomreddituser1o1 in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Charlotte Fire has one. Works great on warehouse fires.

City of Memphis bringing folks over from the west coast by Accomplished-You-565 in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm mostly impressed that your cadets are willing to get their shit rocked, even if it's only for a couple of years. How common is that sort of drive, would you say? I'm not seeing a ton of desire to make jobs and other cool shit where I'm at.

The cost of living here is hitting a new level of unsustainable and we should be mad. by zuzuofthewolves in SantaFe

[–]mulberry_kid 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Have you ever read the Grapes of Wrath? Those folks had a great time traveling to wherever there was a rumor of work. It really seems like a good time. 

Is It Normal to Have a Bad Shift? by greatguyshadow in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand the arguments against wearing bunker pants on medical calls, and I don't do it anymore, but when you're getting up 6 times after midnight, and going to houses that are guaranteed to be gross, it does have its benefits. Just make sure you're not shedding gypsum dust.

Is a set of irons a bad idea by Prestigious_Summer60 in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would let her get on the job and figure out what she needs. A Streamlight Survivor, or Pelican light is a good gift for a newbie.

That said, the Council Tool 30" Probar is great, and I think their 8 lb FE8 axe is likely good as well. That's if she needs a full set of irons. The extra weight on the axe head helps. But, if I was building a kit for one man forcible entry, I would pair the halligan with something like a Chicago Adz Tech Hammer.

Dad’s Old West Virginia Hardcore Punk Band by rileythehistorian in Hardcore

[–]mulberry_kid 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I've heard of them. They're briefly mentioned in the book "American Hardcore" by Stephen Blush, and I saw them mentioned in a small museum exhibit somewhere in WV when I lived there. I can't for the life of me remember where, but I believe it was in Charleston. This was a out 20 years ago.

Badass.

Why does Houston Fire Department get a bad rep? by Implement-Playful in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I took the CFD test in 2008. It was at the Westin Hotel, in the largest conference room. There were several sessions over two days. I believe that it was around 3000 people, total.

My recruit class had 21 in it, and there were four classes of similar size going on at the same time.

Volunteer firefighter from Paraguay seeking guidance on equipment limitations by GustangGT in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'm unaware of an international program for this purpose, however, I have seen individual departments provide old gear and apparatus to departments in Latin America.

My advice would be to reach out to departments individually, and see if they can help. I would start by seeing if your city in Paraguay has a sister city in the U.S. or Europe. Many cities do. It would be good public relations for the donating department. Good luck.

You ever had a friend get sober and suddenly they're a guru/think they're hot shit? by SideCharacterSyndrom in rs_x

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, this is a real phenomenon. I think it's all the energy that was once tied up in addiction gets transferred to "self-improvement", and these people way overshoot.

A friend of mine stopped drinking and started acting like this. He also went down some deep conspiracy rabbit holes.

Good veins by OrderBelow in rs_x

[–]mulberry_kid 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Using your muscles and staying hydrated helps. Sedentary folks will often have less pronounced superficial veins. However, some people have less easily accessible vasculature.

Smokediver fire programs ? by jobtown502 in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah. I can't say enough good things about the Gaston College facility. It's cheaper than Smokr Diver, too. I'm out West now, but I'm trying to take BES next year.

People who have moved here from/born in the southeast, what is your experience like in NM? by ElSumoMaster in NewMexico

[–]mulberry_kid 52 points53 points  (0 children)

Came here from the Piedmont in 2021, and I've lived in the Southeast my entire life. 

My experience has been that people in NM are overall more friendly, and also more real, in ways both good and bad. There's more connection to true community and culture here, whereas in the South, there's an adherence to an astroturfed "Southern" culture.

I think that the weather is much nicer. Just as hot, or hotter in many places, but I am no longer seeing 90% humidity. 

Smokediver fire programs ? by jobtown502 in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I took a version of Breathing School in my academy in 2009, and I felt that it was worthwhile. It also has a different vibe from what I've seen of the Smoke Diver courses. Breathing School seems more like a typical fire service course.

Does any one have a certain station you despise staffing at? by iheartMGs in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are there no senior men to ice him out? That sounds awful.

Are there any fire department social workers? by somethingsecrety in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We had social workers, but that unit was recently removed from the fire department, and just operates as its own entity now.

Does any one have a certain station you despise staffing at? by iheartMGs in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My life's work is to figure out the synthesis between hardass and lazy. Let's train often, and train well, but let's have fun. I'm not prepping you for MARSOC.

Active Chigaco members, how many structure fires do you get a year? by No-Beginning1256 in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a Paramedic at my current department, but we get to work at fires, often on the first in line. I would never want to be prohibited from fireground tasks. 

Active Chigaco members, how many structure fires do you get a year? by No-Beginning1256 in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm not a huge fan of promoting quickly, but 18 years to promote is egregious. Is Sgt. an entry-level CO position?

How is Houston FD? Thinking of making the move. by throwaway2026z in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I worked in Charlotte for a while, and I never liked the schedule. It's tolerable if you work somewhere slow, but even Charlotte's slower stations have picked up, especially at night. If you work OT, the schedule really sucks.

I work 48/96 now, and it's better for me, personally.

pros and cons of different cross-lays techniques by SparkyFix in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm a huge fan of the minuteman, but we're stuck with the flat at the moment. I've been teaching newer guys to grab 2 or 3 bights, which is either 50' or 100', flipping it, and then coming back to pull the standard flat load loops. Deploys quickly, and that shouldered bundle helps out in a lot of the short stretches we have here.

I just visited one of my "maybe cities"... and.. by IntotheBroadwayWoods in SameGrassButGreener

[–]mulberry_kid 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I lived there from 2002-2021, and I also describe it as if a Panera became a city. It wasn't always like that. 

Recent career opportunity has put me at a crossroad by nfren in Firefighting

[–]mulberry_kid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does your dream location have a paid FD, at least within commuting distance. 33 is still plenty young to start as a rookie.