Firefighter street smarts can give you an edge

District knowledge and area familiarization will be one of the most valuable things throughout your career.

If you were not given a run map you first week on the job, photocopy one or buy one.

If wall maps are available, ask if you can pay to have a copy made and hang it in your bedroom at home.

Maps are a great tool, but you must also get out there and drive the streets, too.

Prior to and especially during probation, it is a good idea to get as familiar as possible with your fire district by driving the streets.

Before your shift and/or after your shift, you should spend as much time as possible driving and familiarizing yourself with every nook and cranny of your district.

When I started working in a very challenging zone, I saw that the department's run books were very outdated, hand-drawn maps.

I offered to redo the department's run books as my probationary project.

It was a huge undertaking to create new maps, but by using a computer program and overlaying street maps with city zoning maps, I was able to create new run books that were easier to read and included color coding for streets.

They also had hydrant, water supply and fire department connection information, as well as other vital information.

The maps could also be easily changed and updated by computer.

This was a great way for me to learn the streets and contribute to my department.

I suggest you find your own way to get familiar with your response.

These "street smarts" will pay off throughout your career.