From our first day in the fire service, we have the opportunity to be a leader and lead throughout probation and well beyond, until long after our retirement. This article is not a perfect recipe or a golden ticket to passing probation. It takes more than a list of rules to be successful in passing probation. Ultimately, the responsibility of passing the probationary period rests firmly on the probationary Firefighter's shoulders.
On our first day, as we embark on this prized career in the fire service, it is essential to arrive at the fire station early. Early is comprised of at least 60 minutes before the start of our shift. Several tasks are essential and required to be completed before officially starting the day on "Big Red" in the Jumpseat. Don't be late in this profession! You will be left behind at the station if you are late, and more importantly, you won't get a second chance for a first impression.
Someone has to raise the American flag. This is an opportunity for the probationary Firefighter to take responsibility for raising Old Glory for the community we have the honor to serve. It takes leadership from the probationary Firefighter to raise the flag. No one is going to issue this order because this is our responsibility. It is also our responsibility to lower the flag and properly fold the flag in the evening. Learn proper flag etiquette and take leadership in learning how to honor the American flag.
The probationary Firefighter must thoroughly check their department-issued personal protective equipment (PPE) next. No one is going to check our gear for us in this profession. It is our responsibility to ensure that our gear is in order and that we have all the necessary pieces of our safety gear ensemble. Preparation is just one of the key ingredients required for successfully passing probation. Thoroughly check all components of our SCBA, including the air cylinder, mask, and batteries required for operation. Also, check the flashlights to ensure the batteries are in proper working order. Always keep at least two working flashlights on hand. Thoroughly checking our safety gear and equipment on "Big Red" demonstrates leadership from the probationary firefighter level. As probationary Firefighters, it is our responsibility to ensure all Firefighter-related tools are accounted for and in working order on the apparatus.
Every fire station in the fire service needs fuel, and that fuel is coffee. The task of making coffee falls on the probationary Firefighter. The probationary Firefighter is the barista of the fire station, and this is an opportunity to take pride in making the best coffee for your co-workers. Learn where all the coffee-making supplies are located in the fire station. It is our responsibility to make sure these items are accounted for and never run out of stock. As a probationary firefighter, it is necessary to know the difference between coffee and tea. Learn the recipe for coffee; make sure it is always hot and in constant supply. Also, remember that not everyone drinks coffee; avoid insulting someone who doesn't by asking them if they would like a cup. More importantly, if you want to really get to know your co-workers, learn their preferences, so you can be the best teammate you can be.
The probationary Firefighter is in charge of the sink. Always be in the sink and take pride in washing every dish. Learn where everything is located in the kitchen. Accept the title of the firehouse kitchen Incident Commander and take pride in maintaining a clean kitchen. Be the first one to the sink and the last one to leave it. The probationary Firefighter is also responsible for operating the dishwasher. Our responsibility is to unload the dishwasher in the morning and run the dishwasher in the evening. As time permits, be in the kitchen performing as the sous-chef for the cook and start learning recipes to make throughout the probationary period. The best way to a firefighter's heart is through their stomachs.
There is no task below the probationary Firefighter in the firehouse. Take pride in performing the dirtiest job in the firehouse. The bathrooms are our responsibility. They need to be fully stocked in the morning and throughout the entire shift. The bathrooms need to be clean, and the latrines need to sparkle. Lead throughout the probationary period by starting with the important task of cleaning the bathrooms. Learn where all the cleaning supplies are located and always keep a constant supply of elbow grease on hand. Purchase a pumice stone for the fire station and take ownership of each latrine. Learn how to detail every fixture in the bathroom correctly.
The probationary Firefighter can demonstrate leadership by performing these tasks mentioned in this article. Take pride in arriving early, raising the flag, checking our gear, making coffee, performing as the kitchen Incident Commander, and cleaning the bathrooms. In addition, you have to earn the seat on "Big Red" and the position of a firefighter in the firehouse. Leading through these tasks will provide an opportunity to develop the leadership skills necessary for success in the fire service. Remember, this is where all the probationary firefighters start, and this is the beginning of the process of earning the title of Firefighter!
You have survived the first week as a probationary firefighter in the best career in the world. However, you might need to pinch yourself, as you may feel like you've just won the lottery. The first week undoubtedly went by so fast that it feels like a blur, and you are still in the process of trying to find out how you will "fit in" to the firehouse culture. Previously in this article, we covered the roles, responsibilities, and duties of being a probationary firefighter. We will now focus on the character traits necessary to successfully complete the probationary period, which will also contribute to building meaningful relationships within the firehouse.
It is imperative to have your own unique morals, values, and ethics before entering the fire service. These traits serve as a reference point for anyone seeking a career in this field. It is those same traits that you will need to harness and rely upon while leading throughout probation. Always do the right thing. Do not participate in any illegal, immoral, or unethical activity on or off duty in your fire service career - period. The impact of violating these values will be catastrophic for your fire service career.
The probationary period allows you the opportunity to display your own personal character traits. It is during this time that you will want to listen more than you speak. Let your actions speak for themselves around the firehouse. Everything you touch is an opportunity for you to leave your own unique set of fingerprints. Actions speak louder than words. Keep your head down and your nose to the grindstone while you earn this position. Be effective and efficient with your time while on duty. Every action is an opportunity for you to make an investment in the department and your fire service career. Always remember you were hired as a public servant. Accept this title with enthusiasm and humility.
On your first day, you likely learned where to park your vehicle, and your officer provided instructions on how to access the firehouse. That first day, you probably learned where all the cleaning supplies were located and began the process of familiarizing yourself with the layout of the firehouse. At times, it can be overwhelming as you learn your place in the firehouse. At these times, you need to pace yourself and absorb all the information like a sponge. Carry a notebook with you at all times and keep detailed notes of important information, including the location of everything.
Over the last week, and while on probation, you probably haven't had the opportunity to sit down. As a probationary firefighter, you need to learn what is acceptable during this time while you are gaining entry into this prized profession. Most departments don't allow their probationary members to have a seat in the firehouse, with the exception of mealtime and/or classroom training time. Again, this brings up the notion of earning your seat in the firehouse. In my humble opinion, you earn your seat every day in this profession. I would ask your senior Firefighter and/or officer if there is an acceptable place for you to sit while not performing the tasks related to your probation. Ask for direction and accept the humility that this seat is something that is earned throughout your career. Every member has an assigned seat in the day room and also at the kitchen table. Learn where all the members prefer to sit on your shift. Ensure that all members are seated in their assigned seats. Probationary firefighters are always the last ones to sit down. You have to know your place in the firehouse culture; that place is always first to do work and last to sit down. When the meal is finished, don't rush to jump up and start cleaning the table. Try to find the right time to be the first up, without disrupting the nightly traditions, as many crews enjoy sitting around the table for a while before cleaning up. If you are in a rush to get the kitchen cleaned, it may actually annoy them and work against you.
The probationary Firefighter is similar to a brand new fire axe. This tool is in pristine, new condition and has a razor-sharp edge. Throughout your probationary period, you are comparable to this brand new fire axe. You must always keep the edge sharp and maintain this tool in a parade-ready condition. Don't get too comfortable while on probation. You must continually sharpen your edge, both during probation and throughout your career in the fire service. Any downtime that you might have is an opportunity to sharpen your skills as a probationary firefighter.
Most departments issue firefighting tools to their probationary members to detail and make improvements during their probationary period. Some of these items appear to have survived a five-alarm fire. As a probationary firefighter, you need to hold yourself accountable to work on these items throughout your probationary period up to graduation. No one will remind you to work on this very important project. You have to hold yourself accountable and take personal leadership of this very important task. This work of art that you have meticulously poured all of your "free time" into is returned to your department at graduation for the ultimate prize, the Firefighter's badge.
This is a profession where you must make a commitment to becoming a lifelong learner. The fire academy is over, and now you have found yourself in the Jumpseat. Congratulations, you have arrived; however, the learning doesn't stop at the completion of the recruit academy! The learning has just begun with the start of the probationary period. The main difference between the academy and the job is that you now have to distance yourself from the textbooks. The classroom is extremely important, and now you have to take what you learned within those four walls and apply it to the street.
You will be issued a stack of textbooks, a task book sign-off binder, and a punch list of everything that you have to complete by the end of the probationary period. This is the time to lead throughout probation and learn valuable skills, including time management. In this profession, it is impossible to learn too much. Therefore, always keep the mindset of being a student of the fire service. The moment that you think you have learned everything about this profession, you will be humbled by an important lesson on humility.
Becoming a seasoned firefighter takes a perfect balance of education, certifications, time-in-grade and experience. The task book is the initial phase of the learning process from a recruit firefighter to an entry-level firefighter and beyond. It takes many years to gain the experience necessary for success in this profession. Learning never ends if you want to be the best of the best. Be humble; keep your nose to the textbooks and your physical presence on the training grounds. The only way to successfully pass the probationary period is to learn about the job. This is the opportunity to ask questions to the instructor cadre. Take the initiative and train as if your life depends on it, because in this profession, it does.
Take charge of your own learning. No one will learn for you or teach you what he or she knows or has experienced. Hold yourself accountable and follow the course of the recruit task book. There will be deadlines that must be completed on a timely basis. Learn to prioritize and execute accordingly. You are in control of your own destiny. Don't expect a senior member or officer to sign you off or "pencil whip" the task book process. Don't settle for the easy or mediocre way of completing the task book. Be a professional and strive to do the best in every aspect of this profession!
You're a shell of the books you read, the podcasts you listen to, the fire service-related magazines you thumb through, and the experiences you hear from the senior members of the profession. Take the time to absorb it all and maintain a positive attitude, like that of a student. There are numerous training seminars and conferences that one can attend in this profession. The main priority right now is the recruit task book. There will be ample time to attend additional training upon completion of probation. The training doesn't stop when you get the badge. The learning continues throughout every fire and incident you mitigate in this profession. The training seminars will be available for you to attend throughout your career. In my own opinion, it is essential to attend these training conferences on a consistent basis throughout your entire career.
Ensure that you take care of yourself properly throughout the recruitment and training period. Remember, you are in charge of how much sleep you receive every night. Learn the system that works best to be effective in the classroom and on shift in the Jumpseat. Also, remember to stay hydrated and maintain a quality level of nutrition. The limits of your mind will be explored and exploited in the completion of the recruit task book. Discover how you learn best to achieve success. Finally, establish study groups with your fellow classmates to take advantage of outside learning opportunities. This is the time to develop future leadership skills and assist the other members in the recruit class.
There are two character traits that will help you stand out from the rest throughout the probationary period: maintaining a strong work ethic and taking the proper initiative. When it is time to go to work, you have to roll up your sleeves because work is always the answer. Take the initiative when something needs attention around the firehouse. Don't walk past any job that you can handle, especially the empty toilet paper rolls or the overflowing kitchen garbage can. The moment that you identify something that needs to be taken care of around the firehouse, nominate yourself to accomplish these simple tasks.
While in the probationary period, you must maintain a sense of urgency when performing work around the firehouse. When your officer or senior Firefighter requests your presence, take the initiative and move with a sense of purpose. There is a term in the fire service called fire-ground pace. A fire-ground pace is defined by moving with a sense of urgency. Start probation by maintaining this sense of purpose and urgency in your movement. It is up to you to keep this fire-ground pace throughout the completion of the probationary period and beyond in your fire service career.
During an emergency call, move to the rig with a sense of purpose and wear your appropriate turnout gear. Take the initiative by locating the address on the map board and mapping out the call to help your fire apparatus engineer. Make sure to wear your ANSI-approved traffic safety vest when working near or on the roadway. Always bunker up and buckle in for every call – Period. You are responsible for your own safety. Make sure to mask up if you are in an IDLH environment. Wear your appropriate personal protective equipment for the emergency. You have to lead yourself when selecting what to wear for each specific emergency. Purchase a pair of safety glasses for EMS-related calls to protect your eyes from harmful exposures. Always have these safety glasses with you during EMS calls. Keep an extra pair of EMS gloves in your duty pants just in case you need an extra pair.
During the overhaul process of any incident, it is an opportunity for you to roll up your sleeves and go to work. This isn't the time to go and hide. However, this is the time to maintain the important character trait of a strong work ethic. Be the first one to step forward and raise your hand when something needs to be done. When you return to the firehouse after a call, several tasks must be completed to return to service. This is an opportunity for you to hustle and get ready for the next call. The community and the citizens you took an oath to protect are waiting for you to put the apparatus back in service. Move with a sense of purpose.
Take the initiative in maintaining a parade finish on your duty boots and take pride in your appearance. You have the best job in the world. Allow your duty boots to reflect just how proud you are of this opportunity to serve your community. You can learn a lot from someone just by looking at the finish on his or her duty boots. Make sure your gig line is always straight and wear your Class B Uniform shirt when necessary. The public is always watching. Finally, always maintain a professional demeanor, both on and off duty. You can't simply take the badge off when you are off duty because you are always on duty.
You will start the process of earning the title of a firefighter with every action around the firehouse, on the training grounds, and on the fire ground. Remember, work is always the answer. Take the initiative to lead yourself through the probationary process. Roll up your sleeves and find work around the firehouse. If, by chance, you have downtime while on duty, utilize that time to polish your duty boots.
As previously mentioned in this article, we covered two fundamental character traits: maintaining a strong work ethic and taking the proper initiative. Now we are going to cover two more equally essential character traits that will help you achieve success throughout your fire service career:
• You must maintain a positive attitude, and
• Have the mindset of sharing this with others while on duty.
The academy and the probationary period can be compared to a pressure cooker. You will be pushed beyond your physical and mental limits. However, having a positive attitude with the correct mindset will enable you to overcome this pressure.
There will be bad days. There will be days when you will be completely broken down. You will find out what you are made of and what your limits are during this process. It is essential to know what your pain threshold is and what you can achieve under pressure. This is a profession where you will be under pressure your entire public safety career. Therefore, learning how to improvise, adapt, and overcome in this stressful environment is essential. Remember, this is the best job in the world. Every day we are on duty is an opportunity to help someone who needs us to mitigate their emergency.
Passion is contagious, and so is negativity. One is motivating, and the other is a disease. Stay out of "Negative Town" city limits. Don't let negative energy consume you. Instead, focus all of your energy on building positive, meaningful relationships with your fellow academy classmates. Lead your mindset and avoid falling into the mental trap of negativity. You are in control of your thoughts and have the ability to overcome any mental obstacle. Rise above the negative environment and be aggressively positive.
It takes leadership to be a follower. First, you have to lead yourself. Everyone can be a leader by first leading themselves. Followership is leadership. Remember this concept throughout the academy and during the probationary period. Be the best follower that you are capable of being for your fire officers and senior firefighters. When you are at your best, your leadership can be at its best. It takes a team effort to be effective on the fire-ground. Remember, it is our citizens' worst day in their lives when they place the call to 911. We have to be at our best for them.
Take pride in everything that you do. There is an opportunity to leave your unique set of fingerprints on everything you touch throughout your public safety career. Take pride in knowing that you are making a positive difference. Take pride in this profession. Take pride in serving your community. Take pride in your appearance. Every action is an opportunity for you to demonstrate just how proud you are of being a public servant.
The probationary Firefighter demonstrates leadership qualities by maintaining a positive attitude and adopting a follower mindset. There is greatness within you. During the probationary period, you will have to self-evaluate your strengths and weaknesses consistently. As mentioned within this series, you must strive to remain humble while your leadership showcases your specific strengths, and they will most certainly assist you in overcoming your weaknesses.
The stage is set. Family members, friends, and mentors are in the audience, patiently watching you on stage for your pinning ceremony. Few milestones in life are held in such high regard. The moment when you find the one you want to spend the rest of your life with and marry to become your significant other. The birth of a child is also a moment that you will truly treasure and never ever forget. And this day, when your dream career profession came true, and you were pinned with the badge of a public servant.
The oath of a public servant is an oath of dedication to a lifetime of service to the public. Remember this moment when you made a commitment to serving your community. The work of a public servant is never-ending in the pursuit of service. At the end of every call is an opportunity to engage members of our community positively. There is no greater reward than a lifetime of service.
My challenge is for you to find an inspiring mentor in this profession. Allow yourself the opportunity to become their mentee. Develop into the Firefighter and leader that you desire to become. Accept constructive criticism with a positive attitude and strive to become a better person every day. Respect their wisdom with grace and listen to their feedback with enthusiasm. Leaders lead by effectively developing future leaders from within their ranks.
The role of every Firefighter should be to help the future Firefighter receive their dream career position.
Pay it forward and give back daily to the future of the fire service. Find those golden opportunities to inspire the members of your community to also become future public servants. The future of our profession requires all of us to actively engage these future members in a positive and meaningful way.
Your experiences throughout your career are yours and yours alone to mold. Be sure to make the most out of each experience to elevate your future success. As a public servant, it is up to you to continue this lifetime commitment of service beyond self. The future of the fire service rests firmly on your shoulders.
The culture of the fire service is currently in a state of leadership vacuum. The highly experienced and knowledgeable senior members of our organization have reached the twilight of their careers. As a result, there is a current demand for our organization to commit to pursuing continuous positive improvement in its future.
Now more than ever, the future of our profession requires the future leaders of tomorrow to start leading throughout probation and beyond.
by Christopher Baker