firefighters that hate where they are ?

[ffiirree]

Hey all !
Have a question for you ? The other day I meet a guy from a dept, who I cannot figure out got on as a career firefighter.I have never meet anyone who had not had very nice things to discuss about the job,he said its just a job and a easy way to get a pension.Like most of you I stood there in shock trying to figure him out and wondering why is this guy here, I would give my left nut to be where he is.
Thank God this was the first time that I have seen someone like this.My question to you all is ,has anyone else meet someone like this or is this one in zillion things
Take care
Ryan!

P.s. More was said but it gets my blood boiling when I think of it!

[AFESFF]

I met a person like this, he is full time on a composite department and finally one day with all his wineing one of the vollys told him he should just go back to the factory job he used to have and let someone who wanted the job have it( it was a little more colourerful then that). Since this he does not wine in front of the vollys anyway

[bestcoast]

I feel so fortunate to do this for a living and am thankful each an every day I get to do it and get paid, Its truly the best job around.........................BC.........

[hrecruit]

I know a couple of guys who just complain and complain. this assholes just don't know what they got thats all. I know I'll never be like that. I know what I got.

[dentedhead]

While I agree that it is a great job and one that I waited a really long time to get on. Guess what? It is just that a job.I said it before, Ill say it again. Its what I do, not who I am.Do I complain about my department...yup everyone does.After the initial wonderment wears off its just a job,a great one but its only a job.

What gives you the right to second guess why anyone does what they do and how they feel about it.Does it make him any less of a FF than the keener that lives and breathes --FD,I bet not.I would rather work with 10 guys/gals with a wider interest than 10 that are 110%ers, believe me that gets old really quick.

Also did you take into account that maybe just maybe he dint feel like talking shop with you.

Dentedhead

[bestcoast]

Also did you take into account that maybe just maybe he dint feel like talking shop with you.

Dentedhead


Oh man I HATE talking shop. Number one reason i wear no FD T shirts PERIOD on days off.Your a FF i respect that but I dont wanna talk about it with you for 1/2 hour.....I have a life....................BC.........

[DCCHam]

It also just boils down to the fact that some people just aren't happy no matter what they do, or where they're at.

It's like the old saying about supermodels.....no matter how hot she is....there's some guy, somewhere, that's sick of her sh*t. :p

[ABFF37]

There are haters everywhere, it doesn't matter where they work, what they do, how good their job is, or how bad their job is. Some people just aren't happy unless they are complaining.

Personally I am very proud and content having my job. It was a life long dream, and being a firefighter is really special to me. That being said, as others have posted despite the positives, it is still a job. There are frustrations with city hall, wages, staffing, that sort of thing...not to mention that as great as it is, there is also some element of stress involved. Who knows, the guy that you meet briefly and chat with on days off may have just had a bad MVA or fatality fire the day before. Maybe he isn't as chipper about things as he usually is. Just something to always keep in the back of your mind.

AB

[dentedhead]

There are haters everywhere, it doesn't matter where they work, what they do, how good their job is, or how bad their job is. Some people just aren't happy unless they are complaining.

Personally I am very proud and content having my job. It was a life long dream, and being a firefighter is really special to me. That being said, as others have posted despite the positives, it is still a job. There are frustrations with city hall, wages, staffing, that sort of thing...not to mention that as great as it is, there is also some element of stress involved. Who knows, the guy that you meet briefly and chat with on days off may have just had a bad MVA or fatality fire the day before. Maybe he isn't as chipper about things as he usually is. Just something to always keep in the back of your mind.

AB

Well said as per.Maybe he was one of those ultra crusty guys that always gets "special"jobs when tours come through the hallLOL.

Dentyedhead

[ffiirree]

Thanks for some of the input,I'll tell alittle more about this chat. This is what really pissed me off about this person . He also mentioned how dealing with medical calls is a pain the ass to be awakened to go to somebodys house and put on a show for the family so that they can have a funeral next week!
Also that anybody can be firefighter, can train monkeys to be firefighters. Correct me if I am wrong but when someone who wants to be in this field shouldn't they some sort of compassion for people who are having their worst moment in life,I know that we use dark humor after bad calls but to mention it like that to someone like my self who I did not mention that I had 5yrs as a parttimer . Sorry to him I guess if we can train monkeys to due our job then goodluck.
I know most of you have the one thing that keeps this career the best and that is PASSION for the job!
Cheers Ryan

[ABFF37]

Thanks for some of the input,I'll tell alittle more about this chat. This is what really pissed me off about this person . He also mentioned how dealing with medical calls is a pain the ass to be awakened to go to somebodys house and put on a show for the family so that they can have a funeral next week!
Also that anybody can be firefighter, can train monkeys to be firefighters. Correct me if I am wrong but when someone who wants to be in this field shouldn't they some sort of compassion for people who are having their worst moment in life,I know that we use dark humor after bad calls but to mention it like that to someone like my self who I did not mention that I had 5yrs as a parttimer . Sorry to him I guess if we can train monkeys to due our job then goodluck.
I know most of you have the one thing that keeps this career the best and that is PASSION for the job!
Cheers Ryan


I think that perhaps the biggest thing that you should take away from this interaction is that, as you have alluded to already, individuals with this sort of an extreme attitude are the exception to the rule rather than the norm.

Rather than drive yourself nuts over the off the cuff remarks of one firefighter, look at the general attitude of the profession as a whole. Again, keeping in mind, maybe the guy just came off an especially stressful and traumatic set...or maybe he is just a pr!(k. Either way, he's certainly not indicative of the mindset of most firefighters that I have ever come across. So don't sweat the petty stuff...and don't pet the sweaty stuff :D

AB

[ffiirree]

Thanks !! I agree I know it was one person and maybe he had a really bad shift or things aren't up to par in his life. But there is nothing I can do but put it behind me.I was just shocked about it and the only to get some feedback was to post this dicussion.Much appreciation to all with the feedback it helps out
Ryan

[BCFFFV]

You will probably find that your attitude will change when you become a full time firefighter. It's not wrong but it's just what happens. I'm not saying everyone is negative like the person you mentioned. It's still the best job I could ever imagine but it is still somewhere I have to be when once my shift starts. It's no longer a hobby it's my job. And after about 500 - 1000 calls things that used to get me excited just now become very routine.

[smoke286]

Guess what? It is just that a job.I said it before, Ill say it again. Its what I do, not who I am.

Yeah, but it's a really good job, If it wasn't for the dingbats running it, it would be the best job in the world.

[dentedhead]

Yeah, but it's a really good job, If it wasn't for the dingbats running it, it would be the best job in the world.

Its not a good job its a great job.........1000 a week for hide and seek. I would do it for free, my kids love the variety offered at the food bank:rolleyes:

Dentedhead

[fire16]

Who are the dingbats? your imediate "leaders" or the politicians?
DH: not comparing apples to oranges, but, for 250/mo I get to deal with the politiburo, drive/operate the engine/ estimate the budget/ man a nozzle/ be IC,/ man a piss pack/ = be and do everything. 24-7! even being on a vollie outfit, after x yrs, starts to feel like a job. I took a yr sabatical and couldnt stand not hearing /responding to the tone out.
Much different for career and vollie. If the guy doesn"t like his *job*, can I depend on him/her?, when the stuff hits the fan? Biggest difference is , I dont have to be at a particular place at a particular time. Just some ramblings.

[ABFF37]

And after about 500 - 1000 calls things that used to get me excited just now become very routine.

Yeah, I hear you on that one. As a rookie I used to get all excited for automatic alarms. Now it's almost disappointing to hear that over the intercom LOL. I still get the adrenaline for the confirmed structure fires, but I agree, generally for the average calls, the adrenaline wears off after a couple of years. Still a great job by all means...just you get used to it, and like you say...certain things can become routine.

AB:)

[smoke286]

Its not a good job its a great job.........1000 a week for hide and seek. I would do it for free, my kids love the variety offered at the food bank:rolleyes:

Dentedhead

I did it for free, trust me, getting paid is much better

[firebabs222]

The job has been great to me but there are things that I HATE about it!!! The first thing that I hate about the job is that I didnt realize that I wanted to do it until in my mid 20"s. The second thing that I HATE about it is that it will end one day and retirement will come. I also HATE that when i'm fighting a fire, my tank runs out of air and I have to give the nozzle to someone else, call me selfish, but that nozzle is mine! This one thing really gets to me about the job, I HATE when the clothing guy thinks that the issue is his stuff and not anyone elses. And the thing that gets to me more than anything is that I can't get the rookie wet alllll day long, well, I can, but I'm a nice guy, well sometimes.

How can you hate having 2 barbecues and 2 sleepovers, then days off. Try a 9-5 job mon-Fri.

[iamvff]

Even in the volly world there is a lot of whining and complaining. Prolly more than career, because...well...were just volunteers you know!:rolleyes: I lost that adrenaline rush many years ago, and it's never came back. For me, gone are the days of jumping on the nozzle, running for water, throwing on an airpac, all the fun stuff. Now I get to try and figure out how to fix the problem at hand, with old equipment, fellow officers the still believe in freelancing(if they even show up), and young guys that would rather follow the lead of the "cool officers" that don't give anyone shit. Also trying to explain to everyone why we can't afford to have the equipment like the rich departments do. If there ain't no money there...there ain't no money there! All the while the customer get to tell me how to do my job and calls me a f%$&ing idiot because the field fire he just lit on the windy dry day hasn't been put out yet, and we've already been there for a full 3 minutes. Maybe the guy you talked to just had a shitty day? You see some aweful things in this line of work. With that being said, I to would give my left nut to do it as a career as well!

just my thoughts
iamvff

[GREEEN]

I Love Being A Firefighter, And I Love The The Job: However The People That Come On Into The Fire Department These Day Of Buttheads. The Old Firefighter Can Not Tell These Buttheads Nothing. I Love The Fire Department And I Love The Job,but I Hate The 19 Up To 22 Age Buttheads

[ABFF37]

I Love Being A Firefighter, And I Love The The Job: However The People That Come On Into The Fire Department These Day Of Buttheads. The Old Firefighter Can Not Tell These Buttheads Nothing. I Love The Fire Department And I Love The Job,but I Hate The 19 Up To 22 Age Buttheads

Wow...now there's a statement! I'm not going to get into a big debate, but that's a load of horse sh!t. As a keen and enthusiastic firefighter that was hired by my career department when I was in the "butthead" age bracket, I'm afraid I have to beg to differ.

Individual members can be "buttheads" irregardless of age. I had a string of different jobs, volunteer experiences, education and so on when I started in this profession, but firefighting was my first career job. Like most other young firefighters I have come across in my department, I took the lessons from my senior coworkers very seriously, and always paid close attention to the lessons that I was given. I have two ears and one mouth, so I listened twice more than I talked. This is the only career I have ever known, and I take the experiences from my senior coworkers VERY seriously. Guess what? Four years later I have a great reputation, get along well with all the guys on my shift, successfully became an on shift field trainer for pumper aparatus, and am now one of the slightly more senior guys that helps the new guys out.

The only real "buttheads" out there are the guys with a chip on their shoulder and an attitude that a whole segment of the department is worthless before they are given a chance to prove themselves. Welcome to firehall.com, but I'm afraid blanket statements like that don't always go over so well.

AB

[bestcoast]

I Love Being A Firefighter, And I Love The The Job: However The People That Come On Into The Fire Department These Day Of Buttheads. The Old Firefighter Can Not Tell These Buttheads Nothing. I Love The Fire Department And I Love The Job,but I Hate The 19 Up To 22 Age Buttheads
Alrighty then....:rolleyes:.......BC..............

[FLASHOVER05]

Hmmmm!!!!

That's a pretty harsh statement which I take to heart... Considering I'm a 22 yr old attempting to get into the service I've been taught from experience from the older guys, from the guys who have done it and seen it I'm hoping to learn from they're experiences and from they're mistakes.

Don't judge the bushel because of a few bad apples

[Punctualdeer]

For my self, i never dream to be a FF, but when i got the job at a certain day at the right time, i start to love it and doing well by listning the older FF's. At that time 30 years ago the rokies was more agressif to learned. But in the middle of my carreer we had some guy's ,was there only to have good time for playing golf and since last 4 or 5 years, i would say, i saw more guy's came out of school and they have in there mind: they know every thing and they do not go in front to do some work in the station. You must all the time say : do that or go there. But i saw some guy's doing well and i can say they will be a good FF in the futur. But for me , it's to late to theach when you are retired. Some time the job mist me.

[smoke286]

I Love Being A Firefighter, And I Love The The Job: However The People That Come On Into The Fire Department These Day Of Buttheads. The Old Firefighter Can Not Tell These Buttheads Nothing. I Love The Fire Department And I Love The Job,but I Hate The 19 Up To 22 Age Buttheads

You are quite right, there are young people coming on the job that don't have a clue, however you are also quite wrong, there are a lot of really good young folks coming into the job. And to be honest longevity is no guarantee of immunity from butheadedness, after all, most chiefs have been around for ages

[mutts252]

sadly, even in the fire service, you'll find real lemons. it's inevitable, given that firefighters are, irrevocably, human (even though we sometimes lean towards the superhuman, at least in the eyes of the public). i'd say we have a much better ratio of great people to noodleheads than most jobs, and certainly when compared to society in general. however... no matter what, you're bound to find one or two real wankers.

[yyz_arff]

It really doesnt matter where you work, volly, career, municipal, industrial, there will be crusty, miserable guys who will always try to bring you down. My secret, stay away from them, misery loves company. venting is one thing but whinning, complaining....kind of like what I'm doing is for losers. These guys need to remember why they got in to this job for the first place. Check out this webcast found on fire engineering,

http://fe.pennnet.com/webcast/display_webcast.cfm?id=212

ABFF hit the nail right on the head with his response.

[ABFF37]

Check out this webcast found on fire engineering,

http://fe.pennnet.com/webcast/display_webcast.cfm?id=212



Excellent link there yyz...very interesting webcast...thanks for the link bro!

AB:)

[DoubleHelix]

I Love Being A Firefighter, And I Love The The Job: However The People That Come On Into The Fire Department These Day Of Buttheads. The Old Firefighter Can Not Tell These Buttheads Nothing. I Love The Fire Department And I Love The Job,but I Hate The 19 Up To 22 Age Buttheads


I'm one of those 21 year old buttheads :)


Sure I may not be stocked to the gills in life experience but im there to work hard and get experience as I go.

Sure on my days off I like to have a little more fun then the average guy I work with, but thats only because im single and have no other attachments.

But its probaly true some wreck it for the rest of us but the same can go for firefighters in the age bracket above.

[irsqyu]

I'm one of those 21 year old buttheads :)


Sure I may not be stocked to the gills in life experience but im there to work hard and get experience as I go.

Sure on my days off I like to have a little more fun then the average guy I work with, but thats only because im single and have no other attachments.

But its probaly true some wreck it for the rest of us but the same can go for firefighters in the age bracket above.

If your "little more"fun sometimes involves being a little reckless (I was 21 once) I can guarantee your outlook will change once you have been on the job for a while. You are definitely going to see the outcome of some of these types of things, and it will alter the way you behave yourself, Bin There, Done That
You certainly don't fit the butthead category, I am sure you appreciate what this job means and are going to fit in well with the profession. Good Luck:D