Your First Shift
Day #1 has arrived. You’ve learned the fire things in school, now it’s time to get in there. Here are a few tools for your toolbox.
You made it!!!
Whether you’ve been through some trying times, or it was a breeze, you are HERE!!
It’s nerve wracking, believe me, we all feel the same. The unknown can be daunting. It’s time to get prepared.
The first several days will be a large dump of information overload, so make sure you’ve prepared the easy stuff beforehand.
You’ve learned how to do firefighter things in school, now it’s time to be one, but now you have to be a firefighter for the department you are with.
It’s natural to have that festering voice in the back of your mind... you know the one.. “ will they accept me?” You are feeling out the department just the same as they are feeling you out.
The moment that you see yourself as different from the guy next to you, is the moment they will see it too.
We are there to do a job, that’s it.
Make sure your hair is up and out of the way. With all the gross things we do, the last thing we need is hands in our hair, or taking time to mess with it. Bring extra hair ties, in case that one breaks!
Bring a pen and a sharpie. Keep them on you at all times. How exciting is it when you are in a group and someone needs something and... look at you, BOOM, presenting that need!
Remember the basics. You’ve learned this stuff, you know it, and you are good at it. You even took a test to prove you knew the stuff, so don’t let emotions, fear or embarrassment slow you down.
Don’t be “The Bro Girl.” You don’t need to chest bump and high five the guys to prove anything. It’s fake and no one wants that. Just be you. Relax and joke with them! They want to see the real you.
Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. If you find yourself standing around, grab your book, grab a mop, find a purpose.
You may run into the salty old timer who may not be a fan of you. That’s ok. It’s not personal, it’s a problem for him to solve himself. Stay true to who you are.
Make mental notes of this day, and your first call. That’s one thing I wish I had done. I don’t remember those details and I wish I did. Especially I wish I would have kept a journal of sorts, to jot it down and go back to later to giggle at myself and my nerves.
Finally, don’t let this job make you cold and hard. It’s a tough one to handle, it’s not for everyone.
Learn how to take care of yourself both mentally and physically, so you are ahead of the game in the harsh times.
Keep striving for more.
DON'T STOP UNTIL YOU ARE PROUD!