aldo
New Member
Posts: 10 
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Post by aldo on Feb 14, 2016 13:20:47 GMT
Lets talk for a minute about what was it that made us get into this field of work. Was it a friend or family member who was in a fire department or an ambulance service? Or was it something that just seemed exciting? Where did it start?
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Post by kathleenedgin on Feb 15, 2016 15:40:59 GMT
I am a third generation member of the fire service. My grandfather spent many years with the fire department and has continued to serve to the extent that he is able. My father served with the department as a fire police and I am a firefighter/EMT.
I first got into EMS as a result of a friends encouragement and spent 6 years as an volunteer EMT before joining the fire department. In the 4 years I spent with the department I was both EMT and firefighter. I started the fire service training when responding to non-EMS calls, I had noticed that a lot of times the trucks rolled with less than minimum crew. At that point I went to get my Firefighter 1 and started responding to all calls, not just EMS related calls.
I still use my skills to this day, even with my job as there are not always a lot of trained medical personnel located within the Embassies where I work.
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Post by timdodge on Feb 16, 2016 2:33:27 GMT
I joined my agency alongside a friend. However within two years I was voted as captain and have been dedicated to the fire service ever since. Looking back now I cant imagine my life without being a part of the department. |
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Post by Brian Sweatman on Feb 16, 2016 9:36:45 GMT
I joined the Fire Service at the age of 16 due to the fire service being part of my family history for some time even before my grandparents. They were dedicated throughout their career and my family still plays part of the fire/ems community. I was not an EMT until 12 years into my Fire Career when I decided to expand my horizon. My wife also plays part in the fire/EMS community and I plan on passing it down the line to my children (when that time comes). I have also expended out my career to a Fire Investigator and also County Fire Instructor. I don't know what I would do without the Fire/EMS community due to the members being like family.
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Post by rerahn on Feb 16, 2016 20:05:13 GMT
I first was introduced to the fire service when I was 12 years old when my brother joined our town volunteer fire dept. When I turned 18, I followed in my brothers footsteps and joined also. I spent 8 years with the dept. and the n was hired by a career dept. I spent the first 3 years of my career assigned to the department's EMS vehicle. I became a certified Critical Care Tech. When I was promoted to Lieutenant I was assigned to Engine companies for the remainder of my career. After retiring, I took a 6 year break from fire/ems. Because I served very little time working on an ambulance, I had a desire to get involved with a volunteer ambulance service and experience EMS from initial patient contact through delivery to emergency room. After refreshing my Basic EMT after having been expired for 24 years, I am enjoying my experiences with the volunteer ambulance. My service to this agency has fulfilled my desire to do something useful for our community.
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Post by katecardinali on Feb 17, 2016 5:22:34 GMT
I would say i got my start at a early age, I basically grew up in Oneida's firehouse when my dad was on the job there. My interest in the fire service didn't appear until high school when I met a good friend of mine who was one of only a few women on the job in Syracuse, she was the first woman firefighter i had ever met. I thought was awesome that girls could do this too, so I decided to join my former department and hopefully follow a similar career path.
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Post by Mark Nell on Feb 17, 2016 16:01:28 GMT
Growing up is when I was first introduced to the Fire Department as my Dad was a member. If my mom was working and there was a call, Myself, my brother and my sister would accompany my dad to the firehouse. We would hang out with the "stand by" crew at the fire house until the Rigs returned. In high school I worked for the Village DPW during the summer, one of six employees. All of these individuals were members of the Fire Department, so when the siren went off they all would go to the call. It got to the point where I knew that once I was of age, I would apply to become a member so I could help out any way I could.
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Post by Jeff Schenk on Feb 18, 2016 1:40:59 GMT
Working with my grandfather as a electrician and he was past fire chief. We would leave the job, if it allowed and go on fire calls. I got my EMT while in high school. Now a ALS provider. I work in commercial EMS. Almost 20 years in fire and ems.
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Post by joevfd on Feb 19, 2016 17:27:34 GMT
I joined the Verona fire dept. to help those in a time of need I work with a good group of people that go out of there way to help someone when needed no matter what time of day or night , weekend or holiday we stop what we are doing to answer the call.
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Post by louannj59 on Feb 19, 2016 23:53:57 GMT
I first took my EMT to refresh my medical skills as a nurse, met a young member of the fire department who stated that they could really use EMT's so I joined the fire department 21 years ago.
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toddc
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by toddc on Feb 22, 2016 17:54:18 GMT
Growing up I spent a great deal of time at OFD. I had friends w/ family members that belonged back when they still had volunteers as well as paid members. We spent all of our free time chasing fire trucks etc. I had/have many family members/relatives in the volunteer ranks around the state that are still active today. My son has now been a member of our FD for 7 years. He wasn't sure at first but he has grown to love it. I decided to pursue the medical aspect when we lost several of our FD EMT's in a short period of time. I guess when you are younger the excitement plays a major roll. But, as you get older, it wears off. Now, after many years of seeing just about anything you can think of, the excitement isn't a factor for me. It's the fact that you are serving your community, family, and friends as well as the atmosphere of the organization. This truly becomes your life and your co workers do become family.
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Post by davidkennett on Feb 23, 2016 20:55:01 GMT
My brother and father were both in fire departments, I have alway been around different fire houses, Fire and EMS is in my blood and even thou it may have its ups and downs I still love every minuet of it.
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Post by stuart seibel on Feb 27, 2016 18:57:06 GMT
My father was in the fire dept. and I followed in his foot steps and joined the fire dept. when I turned 18. I then also followed my fathers foot steps and joined the Army. while in the service my last three years I not only was a mechanic but I became a combat medic. I love being in the fire service and I do it for my community.
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Post by jtstallone on Feb 29, 2016 3:45:55 GMT
I moved up to the area about 8 years ago from a major city and didn't know many people so I decided to join the local fire department. It has been one of the best decisions of my life as I have met many great people that have become good friends. I became a basic emt because my department runs about 1400 calls a year and 70 percent of them are EMS. Also, when I first joined the department I broke my leg and I couldn't do any of the training so an EMS class was being offered and I took it.
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Post by jasontiffin on Feb 29, 2016 23:50:36 GMT
As a child I would go with my grandfather on fire calls when he was active in the OCFD and it was so "neat and cool" as a kid that I always knew one day I would join myself. So then it just happened after one night driving by the local FD and seeing the guys and gals out there training away. My love for the FD began to grow rather quickly as I took several fire training classes in my first year in the department. The next year began my passion for EMS and the chief at the time along with some already EMS providers said I should go take my EMT class so that was it, myself and a couple other fellers went to Hamilton College and completed the basic EMT class. Soon after that it was job time with the local commercial service and then the passion and my strive to be a good EMS provider took off. Loved the feeling of helping others so I knew as time went on that I was going to switch to a higher level of care and do it for a living. I completed paramedic school and my career began. It has been very rewarding at times and very saddening at times as well. I love what I do and everyday look at where I want to go and by gosh I'm almost there!!
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