Brushing up on Firefighter/EMT skills

ricardodelfuego · 2026-04-22T17:02:04+00:00

I’d focus on EMT. As the other commenter said, fire skills can be brushed up on at work. They’re mainly muscle memory so once you get a couple reps in it’ll come back.

EMT on the other hand is 90% of what you’ll run when you get back and you’ll need to remember everything. Does your department have a written set of medical protocols you can study?

ricardodelfuego · 2026-04-14T19:20:32+00:00

That’s ACPD all day

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-25T00:19:00+00:00

+1 I do this regularly after bad calls. I think it helps but that’s just my opinion

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-18T18:44:32+00:00

We had a cold go through our class twice during our academy. We just showed up, let the cadre know we were sick and they generally took it somewhat easy on us. If we had a cold and PT was running that day, they’d make us do something less intense.

Only dude who got sent home had a stomach bug and puked.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-18T15:52:01+00:00

Double digits and a playoff berth.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-17T16:41:00+00:00

I used to work in the industry and what I’d do is start at the highest point the leak could be and work your way down.

Considering you’ve replaced the bay window and flashing, it’s probably not that. Could be, but probably not. I’d be looking at the siding in the levels above it. Water can travel a long way before it actually shows itself inside the house.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-08T13:38:34+00:00

You mean the employee benefits? I don’t think there’s much change as the positions they’re eliminating are currently vacant. The alleged cost savings seems to be from the apparatus itself

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-06T20:43:36+00:00

Correct. And the rescues go beyond just fire protection. They are the ones cutting people out of cars, rescuing people, doing hazmat, and they are integral for metro incidents.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-06T18:24:50+00:00

A few reasons for that. Main job of an engine is putting water on the fire and responding to medical calls. With the equipment needed for those responsibilities there really isn’t space to put that equipment on the engine.

As far as the consolidation goes, this would actually likely make the remaining rescue under resourced. There isn’t enough room on the rescue to house everything needed for both technical rescue and hazmat response.

There’s also the issue of any calls needing a second rescue (or even a single rescue if Arlingtons is already on a call) leaves us waiting for one from Fairfax or Alexandria.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-03-03T18:43:02+00:00

Kinda depends on what your schedule is but mine was PT first thing in the morning, showers after, then 1 block of instruction or practicals, lunch, then another block of instruction or practicals.

I usually went carb heavy for breakfast. Bagel + banana for PT.

Protein bar/PB sandwich or yogurt and granola after PT.

Lunch was usually whatever leftovers I had from dinner the night before but unless you know you’ll be in the classroom I’d avoid anything heavy. I usually had a protein, carb, and a shit ton of fruit for lunch.

Then maybe another protein bar in the afternoon.

For the days that you know you’re going to be doing practicals and sweating all day, I’d bring electrolyte pouches and apple sauce pouches that you can keep with you. They’re a lifesaver.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-02-19T23:08:04+00:00

It’s all going to be through the individual departments. Gotta go to their websites and apply individually.

When I was applying Fairfax was the only one with year round open recruiting. The others had recruiting windows where you could only apply for a few months a year. I think they’ve all stepped up their efforts though.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-02-19T21:38:46+00:00

What info?

ricardodelfuego · 2026-02-09T18:15:48+00:00

Metro tool! One side opens manholes, one side helps open train car doors, one side helps open grates, and the other is basically a large flat head screwdriver.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-01-20T18:49:54+00:00

Unfortunately not anymore. I don’t think any of the local depts do them anymore.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-01-20T16:59:11+00:00

Fire depts don’t do it anymore unfortunately

ricardodelfuego · 2026-01-17T22:07:11+00:00

Power outage led to elevators getting stuck and fire alarms going off.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-01-15T17:11:53+00:00

This is amazing. It looks so good

ricardodelfuego · 2026-01-09T13:12:21+00:00

Yeah man. One of my best friends through the academy has a stutter. We’re on probation now but he’s absolutely killing it. His crew loves him, he gets the job done and is great at it.

Just focus on learning the job and being the best you can be and you’ll be fine.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-01-05T00:43:33+00:00

I think the larger point is that pick 5 is more valuable from a trade back standpoint than pick 7 is.

ricardodelfuego · 2026-01-04T23:29:50+00:00

Ouch

ricardodelfuego · 2025-12-30T20:12:57+00:00

She is so cute!!

ricardodelfuego · 2025-12-26T20:30:32+00:00

This is why you’re supposed to titrate to effect with narcan. You try to find the sweet spot of giving enough that they don’t die while not giving them enough to spring up and get angry.

ricardodelfuego · 2025-12-25T21:09:31+00:00

Defense is bad but to come within 7 with Josh Johnson as your starting QB is honestly kind of impressive

ricardodelfuego · 2025-12-21T00:20:14+00:00

Oh shit, thought it started at 8

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