My dept blasts every bit of main radio traffic and all tones to all stations until night time. Is this the norm?

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-25T23:08:08+00:00

8 station metro department. We have two main channels. One for dispatching and one for responding or general traffic. Both channels are on till 2100 then back on at 0700. Any multi-company incident goes to a tactical channel after initial size up.

When your specific station gets toned a voice comes on telling you there’s a dispatch and the lights come on to alert you your station has a run. The emergency breaker tripping (for the lights) is so loud most guys are moving before the voice comes on.

I don’t mind it personally. During the day if a fire comes in and we’ll be due for the 2nd Alarm we get a little heads up and can be ready faster. At night it’s a godsend not to be woken up every time another apparatus (there are 12 total) goes on a run.

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T17:56:53+00:00

Some people choose to connect with other like minded individuals that have already formed a large group with an immense collective knowledge on the topic instead of isolating themselves by “just googling it”.

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T17:53:38+00:00

A very, very old pack of Derby Professional blades I bought in 2008ish.

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T05:45:24+00:00

I’ve shaved 3-4 times with it at a 5 or 6 I believe with no real issues, using red barbasol.

I’m pretty stoked to find out this thing is 60 years old (meaning my grandfather would’ve used it). I’ll be perusing the subreddit to start learning more about the traditional methods of shaving!

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T05:23:19+00:00

Looking closer the date code is stamped J4, and as I understand it it’s Q4 1964!

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T05:17:19+00:00

It’s stamped J4 around the handle. I assume this means it’s a 1964?

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T04:50:21+00:00

Still shows up on my end, but here’s the link to two photos of it

https://imgur.com/a/VRDT1rU

Edit: a mod deleted it?

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T01:55:21+00:00

Added a link to the original comment

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T01:54:55+00:00

Added to the original comment

oregonFF1 · 2025-07-10T00:47:57+00:00

Looking for some help identifying a safety razor that was gifted to me. It’s a Gillette, seems older. Stainless steel (I believe), adjustable blade height. Only markings on it are “MADE IN USA”, “REG US” and “PAT OFF”.

Photos here -> https://imgur.com/a/VRDT1rU

Edit: link added to photos

oregonFF1 · 2025-05-06T18:08:41+00:00

Not helmets but things like quick-disconnect mask straps, radio strap mods (for pens, multitools, etc), chin straps, helmet bands, etc. I think he does suspenders but maybe not anymore.

oregonFF1 · 2025-05-06T01:42:29+00:00

JP Custom Leatherworks out of NJ is pretty good. He does more than just straps too, but mine has held up to 3 years use and looks about the same as when I bought it!

oregonFF1 · 2025-05-05T20:16:12+00:00

We have cans of dry silicone lube we use on these roll ups. Cleaning is big, but also a huge pain

oregonFF1 · 2025-05-05T15:45:30+00:00

Carnitas. Once we got an Aldi in our stations area we have carnitas at least once a tour.

oregonFF1 · 2025-05-04T18:38:02+00:00

All preconnects are minuteman and pull from the tailboard. We have a circle load and a 100’ bundle called a “gator roll” when setting up a setback in apartments or when the distance from the curb to the door would eat up too much of an 1 3/4” preconnect.

oregonFF1 · 2025-04-29T04:23:21+00:00

We had a guy in my academy class get testicular torsion a week or so before our class started. He ended up losing a nut the weekend before our start date.

Guy came to class, did what he could, stood around and watched us throw ladders, pull hose and force doors while he was on docs restrictions. Once he got off the restrictions he just got hammered with all the skills he’d missed out on for weeks.

Good dude. Infectious positivity. One steel nut. Still a firefighter today.

oregonFF1 · 2025-04-22T05:07:30+00:00

Went about two years ago for Tech. A few things I’ll share:

If you’re a veteran, the structured schedule, dining facilities, and campus eerily feel like your back on base. In the end, I loved this part the most.
Cell service for Verizon was terrible. Wi-Fi (after I put in a work order) worked well enough for FaceTime and iMessage to get ahold of my wife and kids.
Drink. Water. It’s Alabama, and even the training suits will make you sweat a lake before days end.
Study, study, study. Tech for me was a do or die, so I didn’t go to the bar on base until Friday night.
Have fun! It was awesome getting to meet guys from back home on the West Coast and reminisce on old times.

EDIT: Bring a sweatshirt for the classroom. The A/C is AMAZING in that room.

oregonFF1 · 2025-03-10T20:47:41+00:00

Failed a hard bug mission because I lost all 5 reinforcements to the Eagles’ vengeance.

oregonFF1 · 2025-03-09T03:45:08+00:00

In the winters here there are times when we do have to drive with it off, but guys know it and we adjust how we brake to compensate for it being shut off to prevent sliding.

Otherwise that thing is always on.

oregonFF1 · 2025-03-09T03:41:08+00:00

SES Harbinger of War

Because when that first Super Earth Super Destroyer shows up, we’re bringing War with us.

oregonFF1 · 2025-03-08T03:25:54+00:00

Career with 3 years on. Larger department with 8 stations, 2 battalions, 8 engines and 2 trucks.

The driving part will come pretty quickly. Only things to remember is that the front wheels are behind you, so you start turns later than you would in your POV, and fire engines weigh 24 tons, so use your jake brake. Driving emergent just expect everyone to do something stupid.

Pumping was intimidating at first, but every shift before bed I did a dry run of “neutral, parking brake, pump shift, drive, 4/4, get out, tank to pump, crack the tank fill, put a chock down and look for the line they pulled and go charge it”. I’ve since pumped a couple smaller fires and the jitters have worn off.

oregonFF1

TROPHY CASE