STUPID Rookie Mistakes to Avoid

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[abingham]

Wow, the buying a 60-70k truck is spot on. Everyone has one, and then there is me putting into the station for shift in my 06 Mazda 3 with 317, 000 miles on it.

[jasonproctor]

This applies to not only firefighters, but military as well. Everything you stated is exactly how brand new soldiers act as well lol

[xMACHOxMANx]

I passed my NREMT yesterday! I killed it. It shut off at 70 questions. I start Fire academy next Saturday! Lets go!

[kevinkearns]

I worked 33 years with the LAFD. I worked in Recruit Training for 5 years. I'm now retired and teach Fire Science. This guy is RIGHT ON. I am so impressed with his wisdom. Listen to him, he knows what he is talking about.

[tracylyon]

I had a recruit in the first week of his academy bragging about getting to the front of the Costco line because he was a 'first responder." When I pointed out that rule was designed for doctors, nurses, and other people whose lives had been turned upside down because of COVID, he shrugged and said that he was just taking advantage of benefits Costco was giving. Needless to say he became a special project of mine throughout his academy.

[perryfire]

Consider taking it easy on the ink also, especially early on in your career. It's been my experience that the most flashy guys that scream out to you they are firefighters tend to be the most useless on the fireground. Everybody knows who I am talking about: full sleeves with firefighter themes, always wearing a fire dept. t-shirt off-duty, having a truck decked out with multiple stickers and quotes, a fire dept. vanity plate, and as a bonus carrying a radio around at all times with the volume way too high so that everyone can hear that you are a firefighter wherever you go. Oh, and the cheesy pictures already mentioned. You should be the guy who didn't get his picture taken because you were inside getting the job done.

Another cringy thing new guys do is tell stories ( in a serious manner) about runs they've made to older guys on shift. Do yourself a favor and keep your stories to yourself. Nobody cares at the firehouse. Unless you are funny, that's the only exception.

And if you don't receive a discount because a cashier has either forgotten or is new, shut the hell up and pay full price with a smile on your face. Our dept. once had a business stop giving discounts because an idiot complained when he didn't receive his discount. None of us are owed anything from any store and if we do receive a benefit we should be grateful.

I've never witnessed anyone using their class A just for shits and giggles. But wearing part on their regular uniform many times. I always called it my monkey suit and I couldn't wait to take it off, shower, and put on some comfortable clothes that would blend in with the general population after shift. Something you have to understand is that when you parade around as a firefighter people will expect things from you if any situation arises. Sometimes you just want to be left alone.

[offgridham]

I stumbled on this YouTube channel by accident. I’m not a firefighter nor am I looking to become one but these videos are interesting and provide insight that us civilians can’t get anywhere else.

[jacobdicks]

I would also recommend staying off of your phone during your probationary period. Of courses if something comes up and you need to take a call from family or address an important issues that comes up while on shift, do so. Don’t spend hours sitting in a chair scrolling through social media or playing games on your phone. Instead, read protocols, SOG’s or get out and do some hands on training with the crew.

[dmh-]

As a firefighter sometimes I feel guilty about getting discounts. I know the public appreciates what we do but in my opinion it’s a job that someone has to do and we’re just fortunate enough to do it. There’s been times I’ve been off duty and said no to being a first responder just because I didn’t want the discount.

[cameronson]

But who doesn’t want a brand new 2021 Raptor while still being on probation 🙄🙄

[jbfire]

Great Great Tips! Just to tac on..

1. Humility is a must on probation. DO NOT buy a flashy car, truck or toy your first year. It shows a level of cockiness. You will put a target on your back.

2. If you came from another Department… no one should ever know unless they specifically ask you about it. NEVER EVER EVER say “Well at my last department we did it this way” again…. target.

[ScoobyDoo]

What I hate more than the "Can I get a discount cause I'm a firefighter" crap, are the guys who didn't even go to the academy yet and play firefighter. I remember we had a guy who went into a store bragging saying he was a firefighter wanting discounts and didn't even get sent to the academy yet. One of the workers knew some of the guys at the fire house and complained. The guy was an embarrassment.

[InMotionImages]

Watched your videos, made it through the interview process for 2 departments. I start the academy on the 16th. You’ve helped tremendously. Thank you.

[southerntruckin]

I'm currently planning on volunteering at my local department. These videos are helping tremendously to achieve my dream. Keep up the good work

[watchman]

I worked with a guy that had a very old Toyota Corolla, his little girls glued sea shells and various other plastic toys to the old car and he did not mind one bit. Same station had another guy (Brand New Expensive Pick up) had it stolen right next to the station. Toyota guy said that's why he drove what he did, car was so ugly with all the stuff glued to it no one would ever think about stealing it. Great memories

[brandoncarrillo]

Hello sir, I’ve been following your videos for the past couple of months and I finally got an invitation for the chiefs interview!! I wanted to say thank you 🙏🏽 Whatever happens tomorrow is all in the hands of God

Update: July 20th Passed the cpat with a time of 7:55, but failed my first nremt exam so for the next two weeks that is what I am going to focus on.

[milo]

I have never asked for a firefighter discount anywhere... until I found out you get a whopping 50% off at chipotle. Sorry but a half off burrito is just too good of an offer to stand up!

[randallwhite]

Stay humble…remember once you get hired it’s not about you. Treat everything like a “headline test.” Great contents.

[enginetruck]

Bravo! Brother, this should be material that they cover explicitly in Boot Camp. I wish I could be your agent and hire you out to talk about this whole thing. It’s such a big part of being in the fire service but it seems like so much times focused (rightfully so) on the actual fire your “new guys” information you’re putting out there is simply awesome. Thank you. Now we should do some retirement mistakes. I’ve seen some old-timers make some mistakes when they retire both financially and psychologically as well as socially.

[noahmocettini]

Another thing I would have also said is don't do be playing activities off duty where you're clearly asking to get hurt because there are Departments out there that can cut you loose if you get injured while off duty on probation