New Probationer on Station

[Daniel.]

I’m coming to the end of my recruits course with GMFRS (pass out in 2 weeks) and I’ll be on station not long after that. 

I was just wondering what the drill is on station when the newbie arrives when it comes to first few shouts, training on station, familiarisation with the pump and kit.

Also is there anything I should watch out for on my first couple of tours that the crew might do to mess with me 😅 

Cant wait to start!

[Carl]

24 minutes ago, Daniel. said:

Also is there anything I should watch out for on my first couple of tours that the crew might do to mess with me

😂

[Daniel.]

Just now, Carl said:

😂

Gotta try and get ahead where I can 😂😂

[Carefree]

Be keen, be smartly turned out, be proactive and take any banter coming your way in the manner that it is meant.  

As the new guy you will be expected to do certain jobs on station and on shouts that other more experienced firefighters have done a thousand times before, so remember that when it’s starts to become tedious.  You will have a development book to complete so spend any spare time you get doing your paperwork.  

In addition, motivate yourself to learn the stowage on the truck(s).  During the first few shouts they will expect you to be searching through the lockers to find certain pieces of equipment.......... but you can’t be doing that after a few tours in, after a while you SHOULD know where everything is kept.

If you ever find yourself with nothing to do then ask your WM or CM if anything needs doing.  If not then get in the kitchen and help the Mess Manager with the food.  In a nutshell, keep busy.

As for your new watch ‘messing with you’ I’d say just take it as it comes.  It isn’t like it used to be many years ago so don’t worry.

Good luck.

[Lumie]

@Carefree so no toothbrushes where the sun doesnt shine as we read on the station prank thread😂

[Jet]

5 hours ago, Daniel. said:

I was just wondering what the drill is on station when the newbie arrives

That.

[Noddy]

Messing with the new recruit must be a GMFRS thing 😂

[Luminoki]

Ive had a fair share of wind ups from my watch, nothing malicious and ive laughed alongside them after. Its up to you to decide what you deem is acceptable and if somethings a bit too far, you’ll probably realise it straight away

On the flipside i did get my own back during the christmas speech. And when we did a trauma scenario with an older hand playing the casualty, i was told to treat it for real so when he went into “cardiac arrest” out came the trauma shears and 6 seconds later he’d been cut out of his uniform

[JonesMrJones]

I've been on station for just over 3 months now. This is a bit of an insight into how it's going for me so far. 

I have not had many pranks played on me, to be honest. I spoke to my mentor about it and he said that the watch had to see what I was like as a person before they unleashed on me.

They have tried to put food in my pockets when washing up. I caught them doing it in the reflection of the window. I can now wash up without looking in the sink and keep my eyes on the window. They tried to get me in a dam after a drill once. I heard them chatting about it. Started to empty my pockets, they saw me do that and didn't bother in the end. They have left me alone, to be honest. 

I have not been tasked with all the jobs but I get on with them. The sweeping, cleaning, mopping, washing and general stuff like that. I am always first to clear the table and start the washing up. A lot of my time is spent sitting at a computer completing 'E-Learning' modules that have to be done. I had 78 to do when I first got on the station. The only time I am in front of the TV is when we have a brew after everything is checked and signed up.

I always volunteer for everything unless I am voluntold first. 

I have learnt the lockers like the back of my hand, the last thing you want is to go on a shout and end up opening up 6 lockers to find something. The first few tours I spent in the engine bays just looking at it all. I carried a kit list with me and looked at it a lot to help me remember. Just wait till you get a reserve truck in and then it all goes to pot. Everyone else is in the same boat on that one though. 

I am always first to the print out machine and I  jump for others on the other appliance, especially at night (brownie points there)

Always be first to do something, put in the effort and take everything on the chin. Your watch will figure you out and you will figure them out. 

Enjoy! 

[Carefree]

Spot on^^

[Percy]

On 08/12/2018 at 22:38, Lumie said:

@Carefree so no toothbrushes where the sun doesnt shine as we read on the station prank thread😂

That wasn’t a prank, more of a return of serve after having his locker and clothes, basically everything he had covered in tuna juice when he hates the smell.