Reputation?

[tr23]

To one and all on this site, I propose this tricky question... :D

What Canadian Fire Department enjoys the most prestigous reputation? Who is the FDNY of Canada?
Is there one department that is considered so busy, so well trained, so successful, or so crazy, that everyone simply knows their the best?
Toronto Fire maybe? Vancouver? I've seen good things said about Calgary, Hamilton, Halifax.....and the list goes on...So give us your thoughts, even if everyone thinks that they work on this best department!

[LtBlondie]

I'd have to say St,John's cuz them guyz are nuts..screech first and dance later!!!!Right Gerrard!

[Roadwarrior]

That is a tough question. FDNY has their reputation built on the fact that they have had a roll in so many TV shows and movies. I have no answer.....drawing a big blank here.

[bucketboy]

come on Kriand...stop biting your lip...I know you want to say something:)

[hrecruit]

Going to have to go with the oldest fire department in canada Halifax Regional Fire Department

[mikeeps]

Not sure about the best, but my dream hall would be in Victoria BC. Beautiful location!

Michael

[FLASHOVER05]

I have heard that Edmonton Is one of the top overall Departments... No one Can Compare to FDNY... The Bravest... I am sorry to say because they are brothers, also the Ballziest... They are one of the most risk taking Departments out there...

[BCFFFV]

Usually EVERY fire dept. thinks they are the best.....Don't they?

[bestcoast]

Usually EVERY fire dept. thinks they are the best.....Don't they?
My thoughts exactly....BC...

[kriand]

come on Kriand...stop biting your lip...I know you want to say something:)

Well, seeing as the can is open , and the worms are poking their heads out........

When I started in Vaughan, there was a sign on the Chief Training Officers door that read......
" The Best Damn Fire Department in Ontario". Or something close to that.

Now to go find those tongue and lip bandages

[bestcoast]

Well, seeing as the can is open , and the worms are poking their heads out........

When I started in Vaughan, there was a sign on the Chief Training Officers door that read......
" The Best Damn Fire Department in Ontario". Or something close to that.

Now to go find those tongue and lip bandages
Hey, I saw those sign's in Walmart......you just had to add your Province is all...;)..lol....BC....

[BCFFFV]

I've never seen any signs like that in Vancouver but a small town near there has a hall with a sign saying something like: "through these doors walk the greatest.....blah blah blah blah.....

[Firefighter1680]

I have worked for 3 depts...2 major, Vancouver and now Winnipeg..I know I know...I have a hard time keeping a Job!! I dont know if any place looks at itself as better...We all do a good job...ALthough if you do live in the lower mainland, I know Vancouver does consider itself the Big smoke...Its always fun to have that bit of competition.. :)

[dentedhead]

Usually EVERY fire dept. thinks they are the best.....Don't they?

No, EVERY fire department KNOWS they are the best...so they think.

Dentedhead

[smoke286]

Actually its the guys who are Absolutly Positive they are the best that I'm wary of.

They are also usually the guys who crack up

[smoke286]

I'd like to turn this thread on its head. How important do you think an individual firefighters REPUTATION is in this job? To my way of thinking it is paramount. Once you get a bad reputation it is extremely hard to overcome

[scoop422]

I hope everyone feels they are on the best department. Every department has problems but the guys make it the best. The guys I work with are top-notch and I believe they are the best.

[BCFFFV]

Honestly.....I'm sure we've all been there. Sitting at the firehall watching a fire on the news and having someone comment on what they are doing wrong and how they would do it better.

[scoop422]

That is the nature of firefighters. If you see something going wrong you do talk about how it could be done better. I think that is one way that we get better.

[dentedhead]

That is a tough question. FDNY has their reputation built on the fact that they have had a roll in so many TV shows and movies. I have no answer.....drawing a big blank here.

Sorry to disagree FDNY has built their reputation teaching the rest of North America by using their mistakes and learning from them.

I have played in hockey tournaments and talked to guys from some of the other "prestige" departments,Chicago, Boston and the like,they would never publicly admit it, departmental pride would never allow that. Rightfully so.They will tell you in conversation that FDNY is and always will be a leader in firefighting and its evolution.

We had the bravest live on line on in the hall one night it is unreal to listen to the workload and hear how it seems to all be taken in stride.At one point they had 2 multiple alarm fires,a working house fire and a gasleak on the go in one borough.TV dont earn you those chops!

Dentedhead

[dentedhead]

Hey, I saw those sign's in Walmart......you just had to add your Province is all...;)..lol....BC....

I heard they where made somewhere in Manitoba.You can order custom ones as well.

Dentedhead

[iamvff]

How bout..."I visited the Melita Fire dept. and all I got was this stupid sign! But the beer was cold and the guys were...fill your own wording in here!"

In Red??

imavff

[hrecruit]

I'd like to turn this thread on its head. How important do you think an individual firefighters REPUTATION is in this job? To my way of thinking it is paramount. Once you get a bad reputation it is extremely hard to overcome


now smoke is that a shot at bev. LOL

[hrecruit]

I'd like to turn this thread on its head. How important do you think an individual firefighters REPUTATION is in this job? To my way of thinking it is paramount. Once you get a bad reputation it is extremely hard to overcome

For real I think the individual reputation on the job is inportant all my good friends are FF and stories we throw around are sometimes unreal. egos and attitude's Some guys present are crazy I know them personally and it makes me sick the way some guys act. And when your working on shift with one it makes for an uncomfortable situation knowing that there are a half dozen guys who think a certain person is a jackass.

[ndvfd_ff33]

I have heard that Edmonton Is one of the top overall Departments... No one Can Compare to FDNY... The Bravest... I am sorry to say because they are brothers, also the Ballziest... They are one of the most risk taking Departments out there...


Yeah FDNY are ballzy..But have you ever taken a look at Prince Georges County in Maryland...Some pretty intense depts there too....

[scoop422]

What makes them any ballzier than Montreal or Brampton? Places like New York and Prince George have a lot of fires but I don't think they take any more risks than any other good fireman would. I have huge respect for the FDNY for writing the book and their pride and tradition but don't sell yourselves short.

[Punctualdeer]

Well, all the city you mention have a good mention off honner but for me i have a good respect for forest FF's whit 50 feets of fire in front off you.It most be warm.

[dentedhead]

What makes them any ballzier than Montreal or Brampton? Places like New York and Prince George have a lot of fires but I don't think they take any more risks than any other good fireman would. I have huge respect for the FDNY for writing the book and their pride and tradition but don't sell yourselves short.

An excellent point.Totally agree

Dentedhead

[bcfire]

What makes them any ballzier than Montreal or Brampton? Places like New York and Prince George have a lot of fires but I don't think they take any more risks than any other good fireman would. I have huge respect for the FDNY for writing the book and their pride and tradition but don't sell yourselves short.
You are right Scoop, FDNY wrote the book.It all comes down to how often the "shit hits the fan".As DH said in NY its every 30 seconds, in TO or Hamilton,Ottawa,Vancouver etc.etc.etc. alot more than most.Nobody is selling themselves short,its all relative.Each jurisdiction anywhere has the best and bravest that it can muster!That's why FF's have such a high public trust/respect rating.Tradition,training,brotherhood,respect, it dosn't matter where, end result is the same. Take care, BCFIRE

[smoke286]

now smoke is that a shot at bev. LOL

Oh lord, I didn't mention THAT word

[smoke286]

But have you ever taken a look at Prince Georges County in Maryland...Some pretty intense depts there too....

Oh don't even go there. Propaganda does not a good reputation make, in fact the opposite may be the case

[smoke286]

You are right Scoop, FDNY wrote the book.It all comes down to how often the "shit hits the fan".As DH said in NY its every 30 seconds, in TO or Hamilton,Ottawa,Vancouver etc.etc.etc. alot more than most.Nobody is selling themselves short,its all relative.Each jurisdiction anywhere has the best and bravest that it can muster!That's why FF's have such a high public trust/respect rating.Tradition,training,brotherhood,respect, it dosn't matter where, end result is the same. Take care, BCFIRE

C'mon guys,There are lots of stations in New York or Toronto that are not extemely busy You shouldn't really generalize

[dentedhead]

C'mon guys,There are lots of stations in New York or Toronto that are not extemely busy You shouldn't really generalize

Who is generalizing?Its a fair statement and assumption that in a city of what is it?Over 7 million and a good chunk of it old and in many neighbourhoods neglected buildings.Add to that the recently added element of the fire tetrahedron...human error. Chances are you will be a helluva lot busier than Greg at station 5 in Hamilton or scoop at 422 hall in Toronto.

No disagreement that every department will have its holiday camps and retirement lodges.

How does this relate to the question of reputation? Are we now saying that a rep is based on call volume?

Dentedhead

[dentedhead]

You are right Scoop, FDNY wrote the book.It all comes down to how often the "shit hits the fan".As DH said in NY its every 30 seconds, in TO or Hamilton,Ottawa,Vancouver etc.etc.etc. alot more than most.Nobody is selling themselves short,its all relative.Each jurisdiction anywhere has the best and bravest that it can muster!That's why FF's have such a high public trust/respect rating.Tradition,training,brotherhood,respect, it dosn't matter where, end result is the same. Take care, BCFIRE


bcfire very nicley put so nice in fact I think Iam going to weep like a bridesmaidLOL.

All kidding aside those are some mighty fine thoughts!

Dentedhead

[tr23]

just chiming in......

I read somewhere that the "big name" departments really earned their reputations on the way that they have to fight fire. Basically the areas are so incredibly built up that every fire must be fought aggressively, on the inside, instead of controlling it from the outside, due to the close proximity (often physically attached of it's neighbours. So their strategies, while dangerous, we're necessary to stop the fire from spreading. The fact that the buildings we're so old was also mentioned, as the fire could move quickly.

Does this make any sense? I would think that many Canadian cities would have those factors in common, except maybe being a bit younger?

[tr23]

Out of curiosity, how often would multiple alarm fires come in in Toronto or Vancouver? Ottawa?

[BCFFFV]

I can't give you a very good estimate of how often we get multiple alarm fires but they do happen pretty regularly. I've been to a few of them the past year. My last one was about a month ago. It's funny because almost every dept. even NYFD halls can go long stretches without major fires. I watched the documentary about 911 filmed by the 2 french brothers at a downtown NY firehall. They joked about how they had been there for a long time and saw no fires but could make a great cooking video.

[kriand]

Out of curiosity, how often would multiple alarm fires come in in Toronto or Vancouver? Ottawa?

On that note......what constitutes calling a 2nd (or more )alarm?
That will depend on the depts SOG's.
We can regularly handle a single family dwelling with 4 trucks (1st alarm for us) and then call in additional trucks as required (1 at a time). Wheras other Dept's will call a 2nd alarm with flames showing.

Scoop and I had this discussion in the school yard the other day.

Different cities will respond differently. It doesn't mean one is better than the other.

[Punctualdeer]

On that note......what constitutes calling a 2nd (or more )alarm?
That will depend on the depts SOG's.
We can regularly handle a single family dwelling with 4 trucks (1st alarm for us) and then call in additional trucks as required (1 at a time). Wheras other Dept's will call a 2nd alarm with flames showing.

Scoop and I had this discussion in the school yard the other day.

Different cities will respond differently. It doesn't mean one is better than the other.
I agry whit you. In my new enlarge city (8 Citys together)350,000 hab. last year we had 5,500 calls.For the alarme i do not now,

[JoJobrat]

It comes to mind that practice makes perect. Those dept.'s that respond to more are of course going to be a bit more efficient just because they do it more often than those with a lower volume of calls.

And then there is the fact that even 10 years ago a man could still walk in and get hired on a dept. Now many who are going for the posistions have BA's and Masters in fire science, arson, etc.....Recently we had 500 aplications (No, I did not apply) and only 6 men were accepted. As my local Fire Chief friend said with a big grin, "The cream of the crop". You have to be the cream to make it these days. So I take my hat off to all who have. Which is probably why you don't hear of bad dept.'s much anymore.

For all those who are still working hard to get hired, remember there is more cream than room on the pie. Work hard and your turn will come.

[BCFFFV]

[QUOTE=JoJobrat]
And then there is the fact that even 10 years ago a man could still walk in and get hired on a dept. Now many who are going for the posistions have BA's and Masters in fire science, arson, etc.....Recently we had 500 aplications (No, I did not apply) and only 6 men were accepted. As my local Fire Chief friend said with a big grin, "The cream of the crop". You have to be the cream to make it these days. So I take my hat off to all who have. Which is probably why you don't hear of bad dept.'s much anymore.



I don't fully agree with that as nowadays too much empahsis is put on just looking at exam marks and courses. And the physical standards are being lowered all the time. I just wouldn't be too quick to say that the applicants are better now. In Vancouver I heard they used to get over 1000 applicants before they needed the NFPA Level 1 and 2 etc. etc. etc. I actually think it was easier for me to get hired because of the increased qualifications. I was going against 300-400 vs. 1000+ It just costs more money nowadays.....

[scoop422]

"I read somewhere that the "big name" departments really earned their reputations on the way that they have to fight fire. Basically the areas are so incredibly built up that every fire must be fought aggressively, on the inside, instead of controlling it from the outside, due to the close proximity (often physically attached of it's neighbours. So their strategies, while dangerous, we're necessary to stop the fire from spreading. The fact that the buildings we're so old was also mentioned, as the fire could move quickly."

This is how we all fight fires. Ask Smoke about the old wooden homes built on top of each other in St. John's, or row houses in any old city, or even a new home anywhere. Good firemen make aggresive interior attacks where possible.

[smoke286]

Who is generalizing?Its a fair statement and assumption that in a city of what is it?Over 7 million and a good chunk of it old and in many neighbourhoods neglected buildings.Add to that the recently added element of the fire tetrahedron...human error. Chances are you will be a helluva lot busier than Greg at station 5 in Hamilton or scoop at 422 hall in Toronto.

No disagreement that every department will have its holiday camps and retirement lodges.

How does this relate to the question of reputation? Are we now saying that a rep is based on call volume?

Dentedhead

But it is a generalization. There ARE quiet stations in parts of New York City, I have spoken to NY firefighters who told me so as there are in any other city. My point is that one should not simply presume that because someone is from a station in a larger city that they vastly more experienced. Which of course, is not to say that GENERALLY an FDNY firefighter is not more experienced then a Winnepeg or St John's firefighter

[Scuba]

As a rural POC firefighter I've had discussions with folks outa big cities who have compairable years of service in full time as I do as a volunteer, yet I"ve been to more fires then they have!!! (I think you would refer to them as 'white clouds')

[smoke286]

"I read somewhere that the "big name" departments really earned their reputations on the way that they have to fight fire. Basically the areas are so incredibly built up that every fire must be fought aggressively, on the inside, instead of controlling it from the outside, due to the close proximity (often physically attached of it's neighbours. So their strategies, while dangerous, we're necessary to stop the fire from spreading. The fact that the buildings we're so old was also mentioned, as the fire could move quickly."

This is how we all fight fires. Ask Smoke about the old wooden homes built on top of each other in St. John's, or row houses in any old city, or even a new home anywhere. Good firemen make aggresive interior attacks where possible.


Very good point, but I don't recall mentioning row housing, at least not in this thread. I've been to a few row housing fires, but I'm not stationed in one of the districts that deals with them on a regular basis. I know that a couple of times your guys (T.O.) were down here for hockey tournaments when we had a big one. They were somewhat amazed at how few firefighters we fought them with. Like you said, its the nature of the fire, if you aren't agressive you can (and we have) lost an entire block. Our Dept doesn't get enough of these sorts of fires to become as efficient at them as New York or Boston would be, That coupled with constant turnover makes them all the more dangerous for our personel in my opinion .

[Whitewater_419]

I'm surprised that no one has picked up on the real answer to this question, yet :)

The department with the BEST reputation is the one that just saved a home or a life or some property. The homeowners, their neighbours and friends will tell everyone that YOUR department is the BEST group of firefighters on the planet and screw what anyone else says :)

[dentedhead]

I'm surprised that no one has picked up on the real answer to this question, yet :)

The department with the BEST reputation is the one that just saved a home or a life or some property. The homeowners, their neighbours and friends will tell everyone that YOUR department is the BEST group of firefighters on the planet and screw what anyone else says :)

We all know that.We just prefer arguing between ourselves its more entertaining with a greater opportunity for name calling and taunting!

Dentedhead

[Whitewater_419]

We all know that.We just prefer arguing between ourselves its more entertaining with a greater opportunity for name calling and taunting!

Dentedhead

Ah, well, in THAT case, then:

Whitewater Fire department, Station # 4 rules - No, we don't give autographs.


};-)>

[bestcoast]

(I think you would refer to them as 'white clouds')
Hate white clouds!! My shift seems to have a bunch of black ones on it past few years.....BC....

[BillyBlazes]

I find that being busy with fire calls runs in cycles. In the last two weekws we have had a 5 alarm business fire, 4 alarm industrial fire, 2 alarm industrial fire, an level 2 ammonia call and last night a level 3 hazmat call plus all the other day to day stuff.
WHen it comes to tradition and pride of a fire department we look towards FDNY. We will be voting in two weeks to give the approval to purchase FDNY style fire helmets, we are currently bringing back badge numbers like FDNY and there is now a move to bring back the double breasted uniform tunic.
In my station in particular we want to keep the firefighter assignment to your apparatus like FDNY and have pride in your rig.