Firehouse Etiquette - Reporting for Duty

Reporting to the Station

Do you know which station you are assigned to work in today? If you are regularly detailed, be sure that you are reporting to the correct station.

You should arrive early - 10 or 15 minutes early gives you time to exchange information with the person you are relieving. Earlier is better. You will find if you are known to relieve early, your relief will usually respect that and give you the same consideration.

What is the uniform of the day? Long sleeves or short? Any special events? If it is cold are you going to wear enhanced under clothing for warmth?

Anything else?

Nine People Charged in UK Terror Conspiracy: Homeland Defense & Terror News at Officer.com

Nine People Charged in UK Terror Conspiracy: Homeland Defense & Terror News at Officer.com

Another reason to have situational awareness on calls. Who do you think will be there first? The fire department. What about secondary devices?

Dec. 27 Roundup: Pumper Rolls, New Deliveries, Santa’s Surprise

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from FireTruckBlog.com

Eight Dead, Two Injured in New Orleans Fire. Warming Barrel Ignited Abandoned Warehouse

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from Statter911.com

Deadliest fire in New Orleans in over 30 years.

Inside the San Francisco Fire Department Ladder Shop

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Great video about SFFD's use of wooden ladders and why.

Firehouse Etiquette - Preparing for a shift

Firehouse Etiquette
Preparing for a shift

What should you do the night before a shift?

Attitude - Think about what you are going to accomplish during your shift. You are there to run calls but there is more to it then that.

What about your physical training (PT)? Are you going to walk, run, lift weights, etc.?
What about your mental training? Fire/EMS journal review, read departmental orders, study for promotion, study OPM's.
What about practical training? Pulling hoselines, assembling a Thumper, SCBA drills.

Hygiene - Do you have all the supplies you need in your shower kit or station locker?

Nutrition - Are you bringing your meals to work or are you going to be in on meals with the rest of the shift and need money for groceries?

Family - Does your family know where you are working and how to get in touch with you other than your cell phone?

Overnight Items - Alarm clock, bedding, pillow, clothes for sleeping.

Any others?