Greetings everyone, I hope this email finds you well.  We are officially one week closer to college football season and the SEC!  Woo-hoo..Go Gators!  With that being said, let see what’s new for this week.

• New Hires—40 new firefighters will begin their training this Monday.  I know many of you remember that like it was yesterday….and for many of you,  it literally was…lol.  All joking aside, please welcome our new members to our great department.

Let’s see some of the runs you’ve gone on this week:

• FD31 W3 STRUCTURE FIRE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE 9172 SHINDLER CROSSING DR. TGB1..MMJ
• FD31 W3 STRUCTURE FIRE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE 8736 BELLROSE AVE...TGB1..
• Single Family Residential Structure Fire/W3/FD36/6020 Zinnia Ave./TGB1/End
• FD14/ 4824 N SEFA CIR/ LETTER IN MAILBOX/ UNK IF OPENED / SUSP ANTHAX INSDIE/ HAZMAT ON SCN/ END JLC
• MVA CUT UNDERGRND GAS LINE/FD37/10869 N MAIN ST/TECO & HAZ7 RESPONDING/IC S37 ON B-1/END
• FD28/ W3/BEACH BV FLEA MARKET/11041 BEACH BV/ TGB1/END/JLC
• FD17/ W3 RESD/ 5114 HIGHWAY AVE / TGB5
• FD25/ W3 RESD/ 103RD AND MORET/ TGB1
• CUT UNDERGRND GAS LINE/FD55/320 EAST COAST DR/HAZMAT 21 ONSC TECO ENR/IC F9 ON B1/END
• And a few thousand more calls…

So much for the Westside not having any fires lately!

Sometimes in life things would be so much easier if your were to have a how-to guide on things.  Marriage, kids, school, and work could all have been handled a little different if someone would have taken the time to help you avoid the pitfalls of a road less traveled.  Below is a modified version of an article that went out recently about new firefighters.  Truth is, we all could use this advice. 

1. When in doubt, take a halligan with you.
2. Don’t be afraid to fail.
3. White hairs on a seasoned guy are a badge of honor don’t mistake them for age watch listen and learn what they don’t teach in school.
4. Knowing how to do something is knowledge. Knowing why we do it is wisdom.
5. Fire is always changing and you cannot be stationary in your attitude to something that is always changing.
6. Don’t complain about how many calls you had last night. No one cares, especially the people that work 9 to 5 jobs while you’re napping
7. One fire department sticker on your car is all you need.
8. Failure teaches more than first try success ever can…if we let it.
9. If you learn to cook at least two great meals, fire department life will be a little easier.
10. Maintain a healthy fear of this job.
11. There is a tool for every job, use the right tool, let the tool do the work
12. Always show up to work at least a half-hour early. There is no better gift you can give to the guy or gal you’re relieving.
13. Train, Train, Train. Never Stop Training.
14. "Remember panic is contagious. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like hell underneath." -Lt. John Murphy, Osceola County Fire Rescue, Kissimmee, FL
15. Never take the seat that faces the television when sitting at the dinner table.
16. You shouldn’t worry when the guys make fun of you. You should worry when they don’t say anything at all.
17. The phone and the doorbell are ALWAYS for you.
18. Don’t criticize a call or fire unless you were there.
19. Remember that one of the most difficult and dangerous things to do on a fire scene is backing a truck up.
20. NEVER DATE A COWORKER. NO EXCEPTIONS. (okay, maybe a few exceptions)
21. ALWAYS eat dinner with your crew. Your diet is not as important as your family.
22. Attend a fire service funeral. It will change how you see and do the job and will not let a fallen firefighters sacrifice be in vain.
23. Never make a scene and never disrespect your co-worker.
24. If you don’t have a clue what you’re doing…say so.
25. Seek out the busiest units and the best officers.
26. Never turn your back on fire.
27. When your officer tells you to take a nap, it’s not a joke or a trick. He wants you to be worth a damn at 3 AM.
28. Be patient with the ER staff. They can’t help that they chose such a miserable career.
29. Bunk rooms are for sleeping. Turn the TV off and get off your phone.
30. Don’t tell war stories to non-firefighters. No one thinks it’s as exciting as you do.
31. Attend conferences. Chances are that there other departments that do things better than yours. Learn from them.
32. Don’t be so eager to get off probation. The time you spend riding backwards will be the most fun you have in your career.
33. Never respond to criticism in an e-mail.
34. Have pride in your department, but more for your station.
35. Make friends with the engineer. You won’t get anywhere without them.
36. Most people tend to criticize those things they don’t understand. Understand it before you criticize it.
37. Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
38. Wherever you go in this great family of the fire service, never forget where you came from and those who helped you get there.
39. Beware of those who don’t think they need to train!
40. Don’t gloat. Don’t brag. The crew will do it for you.
41. Take pictures often (not during a call).
42. Offer to help before you are asked.
43. The one true measure of a successful shift is returning home safely. - Everyone Goes Home
44. Don’t talk about the other department you worked for and how you did things there. No one cares.
45. Carry two wedges, a screwdriver, wire cutters and 20′ of webbing.
46. Introduce yourself. Don’t be offended when you’re not remembered. You’re not memorable…yet.
47. Always have $20 in your wallet. No one wants to take you to the ATM.
48. Learn your territory. Know it like the back of your hand.
49. Never ask your co-workers to lie to your spouse when he or she calls the station.
50. Just because you’re excited, doesn’t mean I’m deaf…. Stop yelling!
51. Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they cannot get it wrong.
52. There are 3 types of people : those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what just happened. Which are you?
53. If you find yourself wondering where your company officer is, you can rest assured that they are wondering where the hell you are!
54. Share your ideas and observations. You never know it could save someone’s life.
55. One of the best ways to learn is to teach–even if its teaching what you just learned.
56. The uniform doesn’t make you a firefighter it just makes you an employee. Your crew will let you know if you’re a firefighter.
57. Protect the profession.
58. Drink coffee.
59. Don’t skimp on the ice cream and the coffee better be the good stuff. (Dunkin Donuts/ Starbucks, etc.)
60. If you don’t have kids, Christmas is not as important to you. You should not be asking for the day off.
61. The name on your helmet represents who you work for. The name on your coat represents who raised you. Do them both justice.
62. Surround yourself with smart people
63. When you are out in public, never criticize your own department. You can make up for lost time on your next shift.
64. Treat your body well. You’ll be glad you did.
65. Courage is not the lack of fear, it is acting in spite of it. -Mark Twain
66. Be the guy that everyone has to say, "Take a break. You’re making us look bad."
67. This Maltese Cross owes you nothing but if you dedicate yourself to it, it will give you everything
68. You don’t clean a seasoned cast iron skillet with soap and water.
69. Shaving your arms is not cool. It’s a good way to contract MRSA.
70. When things go wrong, don’t go with them. -Elvis Presley
71. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. -Aesop
72. Never call out sick on a drill day.
73. It is a good idea to carry a multi-tool.
74. If you can’t make an educated guess of a building’s performance under fire you are putting yourself in danger.
75. The common sense approach is usually the best way.
76. If you have to tell someone you’re the king.. you’re probably not the king.
77. Follow directions!
78. Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Adapt and overcome! Make it work!
79. Your customers are the community. Treat them as you treat your family. You can affect the life of one in a positive way.
80. I would rather have a chubby guy that can do work than Mr. August who has to eat every 2 hours and quits after 1 bottle.
81. Someone took the time to name every tool on the truck. Learn their names, what they are used for, and where they go.
82. Don’t let your mood affect your manners. -Lt. Walter Everson, Osceola County Fire Rescue, Kissimmee, FL
83. When working at another firehouse, remember you are a guest at their house. Follow their rules. Be respectful of others.
84. Always use spell check and proofread before sending up the chain. You don’t want a screen shot with a red arrow across it.
85. When driving, assume everyone is blind and can’t see the massive truck with lights coming at them, because they don’t.
86. Big fire = Big water.
87. A good leader is a good follower and an even better listener.
88. When in zero visibility ALWAYS remember to pick a wall and stick to it, and ALWAYS count windows and doors you pass on the way in. Stay Low and Go.
89. The Scene is never SAFE.
90. Don’t run, don’t walk; move with a purpose.
91. Your annual and comp leave is a luxury. Your sick leave is there for when you are sick or injured. Do not abuse them.
92. Accepting dangers is part of the job. At times you will need to put the safety of the citizens and fellow firefighters above yours.
93. Most firehouses have seating assignments for dinner. Before you sit down, ask whose chair it is and the same for bed assignments.
94. DO YOUR OWN SIZE UP. You may see something someone else might not. Try to know what you’re getting into before you commit.
95. Refer back to rules 1-94 FREQUENTLY!!

Thank you to Lt. McKeown for the link.