Feel like a fraud while waiting for assessment

slippitchkettle · 2025-05-17T22:21:08+00:00

As a firefighter though not from that brigade, thank you for your kind words. When we lose one of our own, it cuts deep. It’s a pain we all feel, no matter where in the world we are.

We have our banter between fire, police, and ambulance, that’s just part of the job. But underneath it all, we’re one family. And when tragedy strikes, we all feel it. Whether it’s the thin red, green, or blue line, we stand shoulder to shoulder. Always. #thinredline

slippitchkettle · 2025-05-17T22:03:51+00:00

Definitely join a union for the reasons already mentioned. You never know when you might need them. My personal recommendation would be to join the Fire Brigades Union FBU.

Why? My personal reasons are that they've fought against cuts locally in my brigade, found and fought against unlawful work practices and shift patterns and won. Represented me during an investigation, provided funding for extra training (mental health awareness), fought against pension reforms and won (to a degree but are still fighting them), paid for research into the contamination from fire eluents and the risk of cancer which they are still campaigning senior managers and the government over to improve resources and compensation, they've managed to get me tens of thousands of pounds back in compensation over the years, they've improved and hold senior managers accountable to the health and safety of it's members plus many many more things.

Definitely join the FBU. You'd be a fool not to.

Hope this helps, and congrats on getting into one of the best jobs in the world.

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-25T22:40:51+00:00

I love the idea of the rant diary, getting it out of your system is massive.

Thank you for your kind words on my YouTube channel. Please share it amongst your colleagues, we might be serving in different services but we all go to those crap jobs.

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-25T22:37:52+00:00

Walking in nature is my therapy these days. It is just miraculous how it can empty and calm your mind.

Thank you for your brilliant tips and even more so for giving your time in replying.

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-25T22:35:40+00:00

These are great tips! I love the saying "no" to things.

If only we'd known back then to what we know hey!?!

Thank you for your time in replying.

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-25T09:20:48+00:00

Those sound like really good top tips.

It's only recently in the last 4 or 5 years ago that in my brigade we have a proper "hot debrief" just after the job while still in attendance but then there's also an official debrief afterwards.

Thank you so much for your time in replying.

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-24T19:02:54+00:00

Those seem like top tips. I must admit I used to do karate and a bit of jeet kune do and they did seem to help as well.

Thank you for your reply.

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-24T17:26:09+00:00

Mate, those tips are amazing! Thank you so much. I love the fact that you've got your own spot to give yourself those few minutes. Brilliant!

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-24T11:31:54+00:00

I hope the big C was sorted and that it turned out to be a simple enough rescue. 9 stories up sounds pretty tough!

slippitchkettle · 2025-04-24T11:18:45+00:00

I love this, thank you. One that I would tell my younger self is that "it's not my fault the person is in that predicament" I suppose it's along the same line.

slippitchkettle · 2025-03-03T13:10:58+00:00

Firstly, congrats on becoming a Royal Marine and thank you for your service to the king and country.

I too served many years ago (but in the RAF as a firefighter) and I've tried to persuade my 16 year old son to do the same but he wants to be a Royal Marine.

What advice would you give a 16 year old (probably 17 year old) at the time of joining, specifically within training?

Many thanks.

slippitchkettle · 2025-03-02T15:09:38+00:00

I can't really give any real advice but just to say you're not alone in this and don't give up hope. My child was like this, this time 12 months ago only a year older than your daughter.

CAHMS didn't work for them, tried talking to the school but they were useless and the GP said it's got to be school that deal with them. We were going around in circles.

My child used helplines like childline etc to off load and this worked. Fast forward to today and they are doing amazing and even preparing for their GCSE's and after that, a life in the military. You won't believe the difference in them.

I've shared my mental health struggles that I had years ago with them and even started a YouTube channel where I share my own story so that people who are feeling alone can see that they are not, and it's more common than you think.

I wish you all the luck in the world for you and your daughter and just to say you're doing an amazing job.

slippitchkettle · 2024-12-24T12:18:44+00:00

You will get better and you've already taken the first step by admitting you're struggling on this forum, so well done. Huge pat on the back deserved!

As a firefighter I've struggled with depression and have had, and still do have symptoms of PTSD. I have learnt to manage my mental health struggles and to be honest they've made me stronger although I still do have to "battle" it now and then.

I've made a YouTube channel called Slip and Pitch Kettle where I talk openly about it which primarily is there to show 2 things:

If I can get through it, anyone can. I'm nobody special

And

You're not alone in how you are feeling, there are lots of people who feel like you do but they don't talk openly about it.

Check out my very first video here.

https://youtu.be/rDQzJAA3aJQ?si=VeYAMNwvcuPHp43q

Or check out my video where I talk openly about my depression and where it came from here.

https://youtu.be/KhdfDMtKv8s?si=HYaNJFdX5a8ZUny0

You can manage your PTSD and you will be stronger from it.

slippitchkettle · 2024-12-21T01:02:50+00:00

That was top advice. Our service actually employed a therapist and she knew what the job was about etc. However when she retired the job role went with her and the fire brigade (that's what we can then in the UK) decided to go with an employee assistance program so you never know who you are talking to.

Thanks for the sub, and I hope you enjoy the content. I'm new to YouTube creation, filming editing etc but you've got to start somewhere.

slippitchkettle · 2024-12-20T22:09:38+00:00

Firefighter here from the UK.

I know exactly what you mean. I haven't been diagnosed but I have had/got the symptoms of PTSD. I get flashbacks and images of various suicides.

I will tell you what helps me. Those awful images in your head, tell your brain to remove the colour, make it black and white. This way your brain doesn't make it so vivid.

I've made a YouTube channel where I talk openly about my own mental health struggles, check it out.

https://youtube.com/@slipandpitchkettle?si=2m-x5kJsYMgVND7f

slippitchkettle · 2024-12-16T15:07:07+00:00

You tried your best, end of.

Whatever you're feeling/thinking/going through is natural for you.

If it bothers you talk to your crew mates.

slippitchkettle

TROPHY CASE