Hall Visits

[thebuds]

O.k so we show up, bring donuts, we chat to the guys about the dept. ask as many questions as possible, and try to pick their brain for as much info as we can handle...etc..
Personally, I find these visits are always a worthwhile experience and should be done as much as possible.....which is usually what I do...and for those who haven't or who might be hesitant I would recommend it for sure.
Anyways I'm also interested in how everyone else goes about it in their own way, and whether you find them as interesting and informative as I do.
One thing I've never done is called in advance for a visit, I usually just drop in (never at night or feeding times of course) but I find that it works for me. How do you folks approach these visits, and what questions do you guys always ask, do you bring donuts or no donuts, take notes or trust memory, etc, etc...just curious

[bestcoast]

I know in Vancouver we always appreciate a phone call in advance, I wouldn't just show up. If you just pop in you might be shit out of luck if training is scheduled or something else is going on....BC......

[firedan76]

We have no problem with "drop in's" by anyone from intrested firefighters to neighbourhood kids. If something is happening at the time we'll just tell you to come back at a better time, mind you some guys have different ways or tones of saying that, but persistance is not offensive to us.................to a degree.

Ask what ever about the dept (take negative opinons w/ a grain of salt, unless you hear then over and over agian) about the hiring process (although most of us know nothing about it, it changes so much every year) about the city....hope it helps

[FireEMTGuy]

Generally if it is a larger group of kids or an organization they call ahead, which is appreciated. Drop in's are ok with me... a good break from the daily stuff or cleaning. :)

The best time probably, at my dept. anyways, would be late morning (after 1030) or early afternoon (after 1300).