I got hired....Now what do i bring?

[Ersser]

Well I got great news, i got a job in Kenora starting may 3rd!! I am super excited but am a bit curious about what to bring?
I realize the common sense stuff, but do i need to invest in a better sleeping bag?
Any suggestions on where i can stay? I was told to wait and see who your crew members are and go from there.
Any other tips will be appreciated.... Thanks


Justin

[MattyD]

Well I got great news, i got a job in Kenora starting may 3rd!! I am super excited but am a bit curious about what to bring?
I realize the common sense stuff, but do i need to invest in a better sleeping bag?
Any suggestions on where i can stay? I was told to wait and see who your crew members are and go from there.
Any other tips will be appreciated.... Thanks


Justin

Not on the job yet so I can't give advice, but best of luck and congrats.

[telesquirt]

Bring lots of money for beer and lots of bug spray!

I was knocked down by two big mosquitos last summer-----I played dead untill I heard one ask----" Should we eat him here, or fly him away? "


.:D

[cdnbacon]

Bring lots of money for beer and lots of bug spray!

I was knocked down by two big mosquitos last summer-----I played dead untill I heard one ask----" Should we eat him here, or fly him away? "


.:D

You're supposed to let the rookies figure the bug spray out for themselves.

Not sure what they do for rookie initiation in Ontario, but we had a rookie stand in the middle of a helipad for 5 minutes in his underwear north of Fortn Nelson and wasn't allowed to swat the mosquitos away. It looked like a murder scene at the end. Hope you enjoy your first fire season. ;)

I do like having a good book to read once you're back in camp and have some down time.

[Profire]

Ice Cream and pictures of your girlfriend.......

[eechoss]

pictures of your girlfriend.......

One for your hardhat! and one for your bedroom hahaha

[Ersser]

I see that we have a bunch of jokers, lets not resort to "your mom" jokes because that never ends well...

But seriously do I need to bring a good sleeping bag? anything else?

[Profire]

Guys usually start out with that, and move on to something a little more upscale. some departments actually still issue bed clothes.

A bunch of jokers? In a firehall? Never!

PS- either ice cream or pictures of your girlfriend would actually gain you some brownie points on your first day. Better still have her drop by with ice cream

[telesquirt]

I think he landed a job with the MNR, so the ice cream and pictures of his right hand are out!
It has been about 24 years since I was Wildland but a lot of things are the same i bet.
If you are on an Engine/Ground crew you will be on standby at a base probally during the day and usually home at night ( hopefully ). Snacks and some reading is a good idea.
If you are with a Heli Attack crew you may be on the fireline in a tent, and should be issued a sleeping bag with your kit. Extra socks and underwear----lots!----your back and Ass will be wet immediately from your leaky pisspack and you will want dry everything whenever you can change. Bring your favorite snacks, but if they still feed you like they did in the 80's you will not go hungry. Oh and did I mention Bugspray :)

[Birdo]

First focus on your feet as they will make or break your season. Quality boots and socks are your first purchace. Make sure to break them in before you have to do your fitness test. Next pick yourself up a Stanfield. Everything else as far as your kit should be supplied, but you can get a better idea by just phoning the zone.

Don't forget that you aren't always on the fire line so you will want some of the comforts and things to keep you occupied when you are not working.

[telesquirt]

He should be getting some action right off the bat----the entire Kenora and Rainy River District went to a RFZ as of midnight last night. :D



.

[Nosferatu]

your base will issue you EVERYTHING except for what you are going to wear under your nomex.
GOOD boots are essential. dont cheap out!!!
Extra items i like to have are:
bandanna
dry fit shirts
bug net - the older guys will make fun of you, but its worth it!!!
military pouch for your web belt. they hold two bottles of water perfectly.
CHAP STICK
wool socks. again dont cheap out. they have some good ones at bass pro $12-$20
a small camera that will fit it a small pocket.
mp3 or ipod
psp

Just remember that you will have weight restrictions for your bag.

Things to bring that are not work related:
video games
fishing rod
boat
and anything that will keep you sane on your days off...

[Ersser]

your base will issue you EVERYTHING except for what you are going to wear under your nomex.
GOOD boots are essential. dont cheap out!!!
Extra items i like to have are:
bandanna
dry fit shirts
bug net - the older guys will make fun of you, but its worth it!!!
military pouch for your web belt. they hold two bottles of water perfectly.
CHAP STICK
wool socks. again dont cheap out. they have some good ones at bass pro $12-$20
a small camera that will fit it a small pocket.
mp3 or ipod
psp

Just remember that you will have weight restrictions for your bag.

Things to bring that are not work related:
video games
fishing rod
boat
and anything that will keep you sane on your days off...


Thanks For this....Just what i needed.
Can't wait!!!

[Nosferatu]

One thing i forgot!!!!
Benadryl.... and any other medications you might need!! also, some sort of itch alleviator.
Being from southern Ontario, I have never really been bitten by bugs. The first time i was bitten by a black fly, my eye swelled shut.