For those completing their firefighter training and entering the firehouse for the first time, congrats! You are on your way to becoming a full-time firefighter! Before you proudly proclaim yourself, you need to go through a probationary period. During this time, you’ll meet co-workers, learn to inspect equipment, and be active around the fire station. Here are the things every probationary firefighter should do to succeed.
Make Sure To Arrive Early
Showing up early, not just on time, should already be habitual. Arriving on time, or right before clocking in for the day, puts you on a tighter time crunch. You’ll have to speed through many tasks, and you may feel stressed out all day.
Get rid of tension between you and other co-workers when straggling behind by showing up early. Doing your part to arrive early shows dedication; it indicates you want to be there and work. By the end of your probationary period, you won’t be lost in your surroundings, and you’ll give your captain a solid impression.
Be Active in the Firehouse
During periods of downtime, many people will simply sit and wait for something to do. While it’s okay to relax now and then, it’s not good to do it constantly. Instead of being lazy, get up and start being active. Going around and completing other tasks in your downtime shows you’re a hard worker who is always looking for something new to try.
If you feel unsure of where to start, ask around! From the first hour of walking in on your first day, ask co-workers about things to do in your free time, such as working out, training, and cleaning up the firehouse. By proactively seeking out opportunities, you will find yourself fitting right in easier.
Get To Know Your Co-Workers
It’s okay to be shy at first, but it’s not good to remain quiet for long; it’s also not good to come into the job overconfident. Just like many firefighters before you, they began with no idea of how to do anything until they reached out and asked for help.
Workers also spent time with their teammates and developed mentor relationships. Give yourself a chance to go around and get to know your co-workers. Learn from them, and they will also learn from you; that’s how teams become strong!
Learn To Inspect Your Gear
Have you learned how to inspect your gear? Compared to what you learned in the fire academy, you’ll discover there is more to simply checking for cracks in your helmet. Once or twice a week, you will be expected to look for signs to replace your firefighting helmet or other equipment.
Prepare for the big leagues by remembering that you can’t slack off just because you’re in a probationary period. Keep these habits in sync with your work life, and you are likely to succeed in your probationary period as a firefighter.
