Thread 64072396

So I got a job as a part time firefighter and just started my orientation process but whenever I come into the station people just ignore me and I don’t feel like I am part of the team at all.

I haven’t done any training at all yet so maybe that’s why, I still need to do EMT School and Firefighter Academy, so maybe they don’t respect me yet, but it’s still so awkward it feels like high school where they are all the “cool kids” and I’m like a dork or something.

I have another job as a lifeguard and a soccer ref btw, and everyone there was always super nice and friendly and happy to help me learn and get to know me, and it feels like the complete opposite here so far.

Idk what to do. I start my EMT school soon but I almost want to stop coming into to calls in the station because it’s soooo awkward even though everyone says I need to come into as many calls as I can to get experience.

Anyone have any advice???

I just went in for a call earlier today, to cover the station, soon as the full time firefighters got back they left to chill in the break room with the other part timers, and just left me there, I went in to check if I could do anything to help before I leaved they and they just said “no” and still didn’t invite me to hang out with them or anything and I felt like they wanted me to leave, so I just was like “oh okay” and awkwardly left…

I’m so excited to have a chance to have a great career like this but it’s a little demoralizing but I am just going to do the best I can with my classes and hope I can prove I belong.

>>64072396 (OP)
>I still need to do EMT School
I mean yeah dude that's the most basic shit

>>64072396 (OP)
I mean it's a job for the most extroverted chads, if you're a 4chan autist you likely won't fit in.

>>64072403
I got officialy hired in last month, everyone said come into calls to cover the station, EMT school isn’t until the middle of this month, I’ve been coming in and it just feels super awkward whenever I do, even when I come to life weights people just keep their headphones on and don’t even really say hi.

>>64072396 (OP)
>Anyone have any advice???
They probably have a lot of rookies just like you who can't hack the job and quit after a few weeks. So they wait to see if you can stick with the job before investing the effort into building a relationship.

>>64072429
The lieutenants are only like 35 an Im 28 and they think of me like an actual high schooler

To be fair I was a bit of a burnout / college dropout but this past year I have been doing really well with my other jobs which helped me land this opportunity

Also in general I’ve been nervous / autistic / awkward

I guess just do the best I can at EMT and Firefighter academy and hope I can change their perception?

>>64072414
obligatory
>weapons?
post
>in b4 paramilitary = military
IDK if this is the right board... but IDK if this is the wrong board. /adv/ maybe? Whatever IDGAF.
Former volunteer EMT (great state of Maryland, 742 BCCRS) here, I will set you straight as best I can.

>whenever I come into the station people just ignore me
So right now you are officially still a civilian. In practice, you are actually worse than a civilian, as civilians know their place, don't stand around the firehouse getting in the way and being useless. You don't know shit, you can't help with shit, you're not part of the team. You might wash out, you might decide it isn't for you, or you might fail. It's just not worth getting to know you until you've been trained, gotten your certs, been on calls.
It's a brotherhood, one where they literally trust their colleagues with their lives, and respect must be EARNED.
Luckily, every single person there was in your shoes at one point.
But you need to understand that you are worse than useless, and will be even after you finish fire + EMT. You are the FNG (fucking new guy), and you must accept that. You do not have the thousands of pieces of information necessary to do your job well, and will not for at least a year, no matter how intelligent you are.
Until you work your first code(s), and go into your first fire(s), you don't know dick.
But if you try very hard and learn everything you can and become competent, they will see you as something other than a tourist.

>continued...

Every firefighter I've met was a former drug addict on their "apology tour". This is also the same time they turn into fucking born-agains.

>>64072396 (OP)
Fuck their muddahs
Fuck ya
mudda

i found my wife by not being "one of the guys" at work
being a big of a sperg has its benefits at times.
if you truly don't fit in, then either give it time, or quit

>>64072499
>firefighters don’t know they’re civilians too
Man is did EMT idolization make you guys a bunch of gay prima donnas.

>>64072499
>You don't know shit, you can't help with shit, you're not part of the team.
>You might wash out, you might decide it isn't for you, or you might fail.
>It's just not worth getting to know you until you've been trained, gotten your certs, been on calls.

NTA, but
Well shit. If anyone gives of that kind of vibe they are begging to taste some CO or other funny stuff because that kind of approach builds walls and sooner or later someone will start to hate you hard.

Fuck treating people like this. If you don't show FNGs the ropes how are they going to fit in? Just haze them because they don't know shit?

Man, people are usually happy to see fire boys. Don't make me hate them

continued from >>64072499
>how can I be useful
Do these at a minimum and you will probably go far, but skip any one of these and you will suffer.
1. Show up early for every shit. Nothing will make people hate you like showing up at 0759 after the person you will be relieving has been on calls non-stop for 24 hours.
2. Find the captain the instant you are there, ask him what needs to be done. Every shift, see the big man, and never forget to do so.
3. Never seen a firehouse where there was not substantial time spent on cleaning. You will be sweeping and mopping floors, washing engines, and inventorying the ambulances. This is only natural, because you cannot do anything more useful yet. You may be doing this for a WHILE (as I did, because COVID) until some other asshole comes along to relieve you of the bottom place on the totem pole.
4. When you go on calls, shut the fuck up and do as you are told. Stay off your fucking phone, even during down time.
5. I shouldn't have to say this, but don't wander off on calls (long story)
6. Ask questions whenever you have them, but after the call and never in front of civilians.
7. Always volunteer to clean out the ambo after a call, since you'll probably be volunTOLD anyways.
8. Always be standing straight, shoulders squared, eyes forward. I have found hands clasped behind the back is a good idle pose that doesn't look idle. Slouching attracts animosity, and worse, unwanted attention from officers.
9. Bring a small flip notebook to write shit down. Reports are like half of being an EMT, since that's almost the entirety of the record of every call. Write information down, if you're not doing anything else.
10. Get a cheap digital watch for vitals (if you don't have once already)
11. Learn where everything is on the ambo/engine. Because they will ask you to RUN and get shit, and you don't want to ignorant of where the 8' straps or the Reeve's stretcher are.