What do you tell people? [Archive] - The Firehall.com Forum

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JGallagher

01-25-2005, 11:36 AM

bestcoast

01-25-2005, 02:04 PM

I say " my bill's won't pay themselves".........:D :D....BC...

Fireknight

01-25-2005, 04:45 PM

It is only a job, I can get "tagged " by a car, pulling out of my laneway going to get the mail.

Leafs Fan

01-25-2005, 05:56 PM

I don't dwell on it.
sh!t happens.:)
Farmers have a dangerous job too.

FFWannabe

01-25-2005, 05:56 PM

how true Fireknight... my mother and I were watching the news one afternoon while I was visiting and there was a story of a local fire fighter who was injured. She looks at me and says, "are you sure?" I told her the alternative would be dodging bullets or being stabbed with a needle by an HIV positive addict... she hasn't said another word about it since! haha!

I think it's natural for loved ones to worry, my fahter still wants me to be an officer, but he forgets the job isn't the same as when he was young and working highway.

Ah well.. you do what you have to do and what you love to do and hope that friends and family respect it.

Sue :)

Toxic

01-26-2005, 05:19 AM

My sister in law actually worries more about my firefighting than my wife. I tell her that I am very careful and so are the guys that I work with.
There's not much more that you can say - it's hard for someone who doesn't do what we do to understand.

iamvff

01-26-2005, 05:26 AM

HUH...my wife always says..."go further into the fire, honey" or "Make sure you stand with your back to traffic" or "You don't need life safety rope honey...this old thing will do fine" ..............I don't know....I don't think she worries about me!!!???:rolleyes: :)

Be safe
iamvff

bfrd22

01-26-2005, 06:10 AM

Family and friends will always worry, It's natural. My kids ask me if I ever get scared when the tones go off, I tell them that even after 15 yrs of doing this yes I still get have a fear of the job. But that being brave is doing what you need to do even if your scared. Stupidity is when you are no longer have a fear of the unknown.

I always felt that the day that a respond to a call and I'm not scared concerned or worried, Is the day I will hang up my helmet for the last time, Being Scared (Problably a strong term), keeps me alive and when I no longer have the respect for what can go wrong Is the call I probably won't walk away from.

racerrescuebc

01-26-2005, 06:55 AM

My wife is a worrier, so yes this is something I deal with a lot. What I do is a lot of what you all do...emphasize that lots of jobs/volunteer positions are risky, but then so is life. I have my life insurance fully paid up and I make sure every time I leave the house to go to a race, I kiss my wife and daughter and tell them I love them.

Every time, without fail. That's my part of the bargain.

JGallagher

01-26-2005, 08:05 AM

I can tell you one thing. Every time I return from a call. Regardless of what it was I thank god that I got back safe.

wilderness

01-26-2005, 12:03 PM

My Parents and Wife worrie, it drives me crazy... i keep saying, its a job that has to be done......If your grand children or our children were in a house fire wouldn't you feel better knowing that someone in the village was responding.... Its not that we aren't being trained, Hey i could be out quoting a house and have an accident and be killed, if its my time so be it.. there is nothing i can do to prevent the lord from taking me before my time... other then to train and train hard, do what is asked of me, and always have my head on straight and not let my emotions run me......regardless of the situation...... before everything else stop and first evaluate............besafe.........

wilderness

01-26-2005, 12:25 PM

_______________The Firefighter's Wife_________________

A special kinda woman; A cut above the rest,
That's A FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE, rating her among the best.
How many goodbyes are shouted, without a fond embrace,
as duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.
How many meals are ruined-or, tender moments disturbed,
By the wail of a distant signal, sparking loyalty un-swerved.
It's a Devil of a job, for an Angel like this,
Who... for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss.
She can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need,
How she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed,
She's a mother, lover, chauffeur and nurse,
A living symbol of: " for better or for worse."
Rich is the man, reaping his rewrds in life,
Who choose to be the other half of A FIREFIGHTER'S WIFE.

Author Unknown.....

Michael13

01-26-2005, 02:41 PM

I tell people I do it because I get to speed to the hall, get off speeding tickets and get free coffee when at a store. All i have to do is flash my badge. I also dont have to wait for red lights.

Scuba

02-05-2005, 10:41 PM

heh

I explain the theory of calculated risk........

I think my parents prefer fire to my other hobbies......swiftwater rescue or the playing in that big green hazmat suit.....

Funny thing is that my Scuba diving doesn't really concern them.

shaneb

12-20-2006, 11:46 AM

MFDFF33

12-20-2006, 01:57 PM

My wife never really worried until Ladder 49, go figure... I think it was all a bit surreal to her until it was put on film, what could happen. She still gets teary eyed when she watches it. I just reassure her as best I can and always make sure I give her a kiss before going on a call, and then give her one when I get back.

smoke286

12-20-2006, 05:30 PM

I say " my bill's won't pay themselves".........:D :D....BC...

:D You slay me, lol

smoke286

12-20-2006, 05:32 PM

I ask them do you worry every time I go to work? My job as an underground hard rock miner is every bit as dangerous if not more so than fire fighting. And I also have all the guys at the scene to help me, if God forbid I get into trouble. At work a lot of the time you are working alone.

I would imagine they do, mining is one of the few professions that gets a higher experience (risk) rating then fire fighting. Be careful down there masn

MFDFF33

12-20-2006, 07:08 PM

I would imagine they do, mining is one of the few professions that gets a higher experience (risk) rating then fire fighting. Be careful down there masn

No kidding eh. I do a little caving, but to work in the mines would be a totally different story.

firefighter316

12-21-2006, 01:55 AM

Ruckus

12-21-2006, 04:43 AM

I just read a report last week that listed the most dangerous jobs by injury or death per 100,000 workers in the US. It only listed the top 3 jobs and firefighting wasn't in there. Construction was #1, followed by farming/fishing and then mining.

If you think about it, construction has a lot of the risks that firefighting has (falling, structural collapse, electrocution).

We just get better protective equipment, and usually we're in more of a 'safety' frame of mind.

iamvff

12-21-2006, 05:22 AM

If you think about it, construction has a lot of the risks that firefighting has (falling, structural collapse, electrocution).

We just get better protective equipment, and usually we're in more of a 'safety' frame of mind.
and slivers...don't forget slivers!!

iamvff:)

FFWannabe

12-21-2006, 05:45 AM

and slivers...don't forget slivers!!

iamvff:)

oh slivers... those are the worst! I hate slivers!!!

Ruckus

12-21-2006, 06:37 AM

Warning: Always use Safety Glasses when using a Chainsaw to cut through a car hood.

FFWannabe

12-21-2006, 07:07 AM

Warning: Always use Safety Glasses when using a Chainsaw to cut through a car hood.

Warning PS - Always use Safety glasses when using a chainsaw to cut anything... lol

bestcoast

12-21-2006, 07:14 AM

Always use Safety glasses
And don't forget those messy medical calls!!!!!.......BC........

Greg721

12-21-2006, 07:50 AM

I tell people I do it because I get to speed to the hall, get off speeding tickets and get free coffee when at a store. All i have to do is flash my badge. I also dont have to wait for red lights.

We were at a traffic course, and when in a personal vehicle, your still not allowed to go over the speed limit without a red light, and sirens, or maybe i misheard.
You dont have to wait for red lights, but you still must be weary of traffic coming in perpandiculer directions. Safty first, you can't always count on everyone else to stop.

bestcoast

12-21-2006, 07:54 AM

We were at a traffic course, and when in a personal vehicle, your still not allowed to go over the speed limit without a red light, and sirens, or maybe i misheard.
You dont have to wait for red lights, but you still must be weary of traffic coming in perpandiculer directions. Safty first, you can't always count on everyone else to stop.
I says PARDON!!...you don't have to wait for Red lights when your in your personal vehicle!!!!!.......yup safety first..:rolleyes:........BC..................

ABFF37

12-21-2006, 08:23 AM

You dont have to wait for red lights

Sorry, I have to pluck on that one...
No highway traffic safety act anywhere in the country allows any vehicle, including emergency vehicles, to disobey red lights. About the biggest exception that would be made would be that a true emergency vehicle that is operating with lights and sirens operating may proceed through a red light or a stop sign AFTER coming to a complete stop and accounting for all lanes of oncoming traffic. In a personal vehicle, such lights are meant only as "courtesy lights". I suggest you get this clarified with your department to avoid any potentially serious "misunderstandings". If you want to read more about this topic, do a search for the dreaded "green light" topic. You will see that there is a lot of information available.

AB

FFWannabe

12-21-2006, 08:29 AM

Greg721

12-21-2006, 08:49 AM

Ok, I see what you mean, i ment in no way to blast through it, i was meaning to slow down a lot , untill like you said, all lanes are accounted for. But now I know you must completly stop.

bestcoast

12-21-2006, 10:56 AM

But now I know you must completly stop.
And if your in your personal vehicle waiting for the light to turn green might be a good idea also........;)..........BC..........

FFChick

12-21-2006, 11:31 AM

Every one has some one that is either a friend or family that does not like you being a Fire Fighter. What do you tell them? How do you curb there fears?

I tell people I do because if I dont who will? It is a choice I make. Yes I may not come home after a call. It is some thing that I live with during each and every call. I pray that it dont happen. I also state that it is my way of helping the community. Giving back to the people.

What do you say?

Well i can see this on both sides. I'm gonna be a fire fighter by this spring and i know some people who aren't too happy with the idea such as a few relatives and friends. They ask me why i want to put my life on the line for complete strangers and all i say is i want to help people who are helpless. Even if that means risking my life by running into a burning building.

I can also see it from the eyes of a scared loved one. My boyfriend is a fire fighter and i know the chances of him getting hurt on a call is minimal but i still worry when i hear the tones on his pager go off or he tells me on MSN Messanger "Call, got to go, love you". I always make sure that if i'm around him when he does get a call i give him a hug and a kiss and say "I love you, see when you get back". It just makes me feel a lot better and I'm sure that goes for all the other girl friends and wifes of fire fighters out there.

**Kate**

Greg721

12-21-2006, 11:35 AM

We were told that a green light legally means nothign here in nova scotia, although people might pull over for you, it doesnt allow you to do anything you wouldent be able to do as a reg civ.

FFWannabe

12-21-2006, 11:57 AM

I tell people I've been working towards this for too long to not be as safe as possible... there's no "after school special" ending here... I worked hard, I made it, I'll retire when I'm 60 and enjoy my grandkids... besides it's the best job in the world, why wouldn't I do it??

Sue :)

PS - I tell my Mom to stop watching the news too... lol

smoke286

12-21-2006, 12:53 PM

Ibesides it's the best job in the world, why wouldn't I do it??

Sue :)

And so it is

bestcoast

12-21-2006, 01:33 PM

besides it's the best job in the world

Aint that the truth Sue, now your seeing first hand!!!!!......BC.........

Jon_ACVFD

12-23-2006, 09:42 AM

I know my Ex worried about me all the time when id go on a call, but id tell her the same things all you people say... i do it b/c i wanna help someone, i do it b/c not many people *will* do it (rural volly dept.), its my way of giving back, etc. But sometimes its still pretty hard to explain to someone why we do this...

But you know, i think she's the only person that ever questioned or asked why (at least to my face)... i dunno if thats a good thing or a bad thing.

Rookie_101

02-07-2007, 03:40 PM

Both grand fathers, my dad and 2 uncles were all FF's at one time, so my family knows why i do it. My girlfriend on the other hand, well, thats s'thing different. she knows why i do it but she still worries (it didnt help that like 10 mineuts after we watched ladder 49, my pager went off :( ) But likewise, she has had some medical problems latley, and is too stuborn to call an amblaunce if she's home alone at night (its late honey, they need sleep too) so I worry about her at home when i go out on call

North_of_60

02-07-2007, 06:32 PM

Sorry, I have to pluck on that one...
No highway traffic safety act anywhere in the country allows any vehicle, including emergency vehicles, to disobey red lights. About the biggest exception that would be made would be that a true emergency vehicle that is operating with lights and sirens operating may proceed through a red light or a stop sign AFTER coming to a complete stop and accounting for all lanes of oncoming traffic.
AB

I hate to disagree with you AB, however in the Northwest Territories the Motor Vehicle Act states that an Emergency or Enforcement vehicle with its lights and siren operating can disregard ANY provision of the Act or Regulation of the Act. It does state that this must be done in a SAFE manner and that it is up to the driver to ensure both thier safety and the safety of other motorists. Also there are only 3 communities in the NWT with Traffic Lights (None in Nunavut) so it isn't that big of a deal. I do believe in Being as SAFE as possible while driving and that meens that if you are going to blow a red light, you better be damn sure that everyone is stopped. And like has been said here...Personal Vehicles can NOT break the rules of the road (green light or no green light). Make sure that you get to the scene safely.

As to loved ones worrying... my Mom and Girlfriend are the worst but they do understand why I do what I do. You would think that my Mom would be used to it from my Dad having been a Vancouver City Cop for 28 yrs, but she still worries. It is because they love us and there isn't a lot that we can say that will calm thier fears. We just make sure that we train hard and are always thinking about our safety and the safety of those around us.

Stay Safe,

North of 60

FLASHOVER05

02-07-2007, 06:35 PM

I've got a few family members that hate what I want to do.... they say the risk is far to great... well I tell them there is too many good people out there that I work with that I can trust... and they can trust me, you only take the most neccessary risks when need be

ABFF37

02-07-2007, 08:11 PM

No highway traffic safety act anywhere in the country allows any vehicle, including emergency vehicles, to disobey red lights. About the biggest exception that would be made would be that a true emergency vehicle that is operating with lights and sirens operating may proceed through a red light or a stop sign AFTER coming to a complete stop and accounting for all lanes of oncoming traffic. In a personal vehicle, such lights are meant only as "courtesy lights". I suggest you get this clarified with your department to avoid any potentially serious "misunderstandings". If you want to read more about this topic, do a search for the dreaded "green light" topic. You will see that there is a lot of information available.

I hate to disagree with you AB, however in the Northwest Territories the Motor Vehicle Act states that an Emergency or Enforcement vehicle with its lights and siren operating can disregard ANY provision of the Act or Regulation of the Act. It does state that this must be done in a SAFE manner and that it is up to the driver to ensure both thier safety and the safety of other motorists. Also there are only 3 communities in the NWT with Traffic Lights (None in Nunavut) so it isn't that big of a deal. I do believe in Being as SAFE as possible while driving and that meens that if you are going to blow a red light, you better be damn sure that everyone is stopped. And like has been said here...Personal Vehicles can NOT break the rules of the road (green light or no green light). Make sure that you get to the scene safely.

Yes, every act allows the operators of emergency vehicles to go through red lights, that was never in contention. The issue is with the way in which you proceed through the intersection. If someone reads the act word for word and blows through the red light causing an accident they will be liable, plain and simple. As your very post pointed out, there is a clause attached that you have summarized very well by saying "It does state that this must be done in a SAFE manner and that it is up to the driver to ensure both thier safety and the safety of other motorists"...i.e. not blowing through it blindly. Here in Alberta we can go through red lights just as you can in the NWT, my only point in this issue was to stress the fact that just because we have this right does not mean that we can proceed through a red without any consideration. Sure we are ALLOWED to, but as we both have identified, there are provisions in the law to make sure that when we do it, that we do it SAFELY. Failing to follow this very important provision within the act would not only be a violation of the law, but would also cause a huge liability issue if anything ever went wrong...that was the intention of my post, hopefully that's a bit more clear now ;)

As far as I can tell we're saying the same thing...not too sure where the disagreement is?

AB:confused::)