Inside The Fire Service From A Beginners Perspective

By JC Fire Productions | Dec 11, 2022
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This episode of the podcast discusses barriers that new members of the fire service face.

Welcome to the latest episode of Host Jockey's Unite, where we dive into the world of emergency services and give you an inside peek into the fire and EMS services. In this episode, we discuss the challenges faced by potential new candidates entering the fire service and hear from two guests who share their insights on the obstacles they currently face in the modern fire service.

During the round table discussion, we cover a range of topics, including specialized training for rookies, mental health, and the importance of departmental pride. We also have an "Ask the Firefighter" segment where we answer a listener's question about why firefighters wash their trucks and gear. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show as we strive to educate and entertain those in emergency services and leave a legacy for future generations.

Key Takeaways

  • We discuss the challenges faced by potential new candidates entering the fire service and hear insights from two guests.
  • Topics covered include specialized training for rookies, mental health, and departmental pride.
  • We also answer a listener's question about why firefighters wash their trucks and gear.

Host Backgrounds

Chris Edwards' Journey

I began my fire career as a volunteer firefighter six years ago. I took all the necessary certifications and classes before moving into a career firefighter position about six months to a year ago, where I obtained my EMT certification.

Jay Gallagher's Career

Jay began his fire service career in 1986, counting his Explorer time. He retired in 2015, meaning he had a 29-year career. He held various positions throughout his career, including basic grunt firefighter, driver operator, Lieutenant, Captain, and Chief for about a year and a half of a certain-based Emergency Response Group. He did not hold any assistant chief or chief positions except for that.

That's all the information we have on the host backgrounds for now. Stay tuned for more insights into the modern fire service.

Ask the Firefighter Segment

During our podcast, we have a segment called "Ask the Firefighter" where we answer questions from our listeners. One question we received was, "Why do firefighters wash their trucks and gear?" There are a few reasons why we do this:

  • Departmental pride: We want to represent our department well and show the community that we take our job seriously.
  • Preventative maintenance: Clean gear and tools last longer than dirty ones.
  • Decontamination: Clean gear helps prevent unnecessary exposure to contaminants, which can lead to firefighter cancer.

We also encourage our listeners to send us any questions they may have about the fire and EMS service. We are happy to answer them to the best of our ability. Just email us at firefighter274@outlook.com.

In this episode, we have two guests, Daniel Edwards and Buddy Gallagher, who started their fire careers as Junior Firefighters. We asked them about their experiences and challenges in the fire service. Daniel mentioned that his biggest obstacle was getting to know people and finding the right training, while Buddy's was dealing with interruptions in class and trying to hear two segments at once.

Their departments had specialized training programs for rookies and juniors to make them more familiar with department SOPs. Buddy's department put rookies and juniors through a training program from ACC to make them realize that firefighting is not a game but a serious job that requires dedication and commitment.

Guest Introduction

Hey there, it's Chris Edwards, one of the hosts of the podcast. In this episode, my co-host Jay Gallagher and I had the pleasure of speaking with two guests, Daniel Edwards and Buddy Gallagher, about their experiences as Junior Firefighters and the challenges they faced in the modern fire service.

Daniel and Buddy both started their fire careers as Junior Firefighters, and they shared their insights on the obstacles they encountered while trying to get into the fire service. During the round table discussion, they talked about their biggest inspirations to get into the fire and rescue service, the biggest obstacles they faced, and whether their department had a specialized training program for rookies or juniors.

We also answered a listener's question about why firefighters wash their vehicles and gear, and we emphasized the importance of departmental pride, preventative maintenance, and decontamination in keeping firefighters safe from harmful contaminants.

If you have any questions about the Fire EMS service that you would like us to answer on the show, please email us at firefighter274@outlook.com. Thanks for tuning in, and stay safe out there!

Round Table Discussion

Starting in the Fire Service

Daniel: My biggest inspiration to get into the fire and rescue service was my father. One day, we were passing by a fire department, and I asked him a question about it, and that's how it all started. The biggest obstacle that I faced was getting to know people and where to go to get training. Mental health is also an important aspect that needs to be considered in the fire service.

Inspirations to Join

Buddy: My biggest inspiration to get into the fire service was my grandfather and father. They were both in the fire service for more than 30 years. My grandfather recently passed away, but his legacy inspired me to follow in his footsteps. I started my junior career at Swepsonville until I turned 18, and then I went where my father was. The biggest obstacle that I faced was trying to hear two segments at one time during class and dealing with interruptions.

Biggest Obstacles Faced

Daniel: The biggest obstacle that I faced was getting to know people and where to go to get training. Mental health is also an important aspect that needs to be considered in the fire service. There's a lot of junk being talked in the fire service, and it can be challenging to focus on learning when there are interruptions during class. It's important to listen to the instructor because they are teaching what you need to know to pass your certification.

Mental Health and Training

Daniel: Mental health is a crucial aspect that needs to be considered in the fire service and first responder field. It's essential to take care of your mental health and seek help when needed. The department I was on put the rookies and juniors through a training program that made us realize that this is not a game, but real life. The program helped us become more familiar with department SOPS and taught us the necessary skills to become successful firefighters.

Specialized Training for Rookies

Chris: When I was a rookie firefighter, I went through a specialized training program that helped me become more familiar with the department's standard operating procedures (SOPs). This program was designed to prepare us for the challenges we would face in the modern fire service.

The training program included both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. We learned about fire behavior, rescue techniques, ventilation, and many other topics that are essential for firefighters to know. We also had the opportunity to practice these skills in simulated scenarios, which helped us gain confidence and proficiency.

One of the most valuable aspects of the training program was the emphasis on mental health. We learned about the importance of self-care and how to recognize the signs of stress and trauma. This training helped me develop the resilience and coping skills I needed to handle the emotional demands of the job.

Overall, the specialized training program for rookies was an essential part of my development as a firefighter. It gave me the knowledge, skills, and confidence I needed to serve my community effectively and safely.