Uniform Stories
These next few months of fire academy training are going to test not only your resolve, but also your mental and physical limits
I look forward to the days when the horrific memories are gone forever and just the good ones survive
Our job search should be short, for who could deny a retired firefighter employment?
Putting our children in the path of danger goes against every instinct we have
The individuals assigned to the “truck” have some of the most dangerous jobs at a building fire
How much work gets done when the engine crew can‘t get to the fire?
I would rather go into a fire with a poor test-taker who has more time on the job than me, than the guy who aced the test but hasn’t seen diddly
You are trained to be a fixer of all problems, and that’s pretty cool
From cooking meals for the families, to planning benefits, I’m proud to be working alongside all of them
To me, the true test of who you are as a firefighter comes after you get that badge
These individuals often exhibit an egotistical need to be a “hero” or find themselves bored and lacking social maturity
We are here to save lives and protect property and get out alive
Jack Pritchard first joined the New York Fire Department in 1970 as part of Squad 4
Don’t just be there for the laughs, but be there for the tears as well
Everyone knows firefighters don’t get older, they get better
It seems like every time a firefighter dies due to a heart attack, it’s quiet
One of the best parts about our job is the people we work with and the bonds we form with them
The most important thing a fire officer has to know is the capabilities of his or her people
I’ll tell you right away that I didn’t become a firefighter in order to get rich
If we want to be good at what we do, we don’t really have a choice
It seems that no matter what unit you’re on, the other is worse
It is a person’s individual right to train and respond to emergencies, be it as their full time job or as a volunteer
One day I was tending bar in a fancy restaurant, the next I was a firefighter/EMT in a big city
It’s not the uniform, it’s the person wearing it who makes it more than just cotton, stitches, patches and polyester
Teach firefighters to stay calm and take the extra minute to do things right
It’s OK if you don’t agree with the other party’s point of view, but realize they aren’t going to change the way they do things
The fire was actually held to the room of origin, but the smoke damage throughout the building was extensive
Many fire departments are successful at knocking down fire with 1 1/2-inch lines and an aggressive interior attack
It’s a little different applying for a job and actually doing the job you applied for
It’s hard to explain the love a firefighter has for his or her tools, rig, and station.
Chief Richard Tucker was cold and stern, like a cross between Bobby Knight and Clint Eastwood, and his words were sharp and to the point
I wish you had to deal with seeing all of these things, and then somehow not let it affect your personal life
Being prepared ahead of out breaks, balanced by the appropriate amount of investment is key to success
