Week 1 Reflection

During the first week, I have learned many of the customs and duties that go along with being on a full time fire department. I got to work with two different shifts and see the contrasting ways in how the captains run their shifts and their different work habits and how the group interacts. There are many differences between Franklin being a full time department and Andover being a volunteer-based organization. First, Franklin is much more professional looking for most medical calls because in Andover you respond in pretty much any clothing you are wearing unless you are at home and can see if you were in sweat pants or whatever put on a pair of jeans. I personally have responded in just about everything from a GS suit under my fire gear and in my full ski stuff to medical calls to going to responding covered in grease and anti freeze after replacing the thermostat in my truck. In Franklin, however, you respond in your work uniform, which consists of blue pants, blue fire department shirt, and dark colored boots. In addition to wearing your work uniform you must also wear a high visibility vest and safety glasses. In Andover, my vest stays permanently on my fire jacket unless I am dealing with an actual fire such as a structure fire or car fire. This is because the vest would melt to your jacket, which is slightly problematic.

I have liked the change for the most part and have really been enjoying the Franklin shifts. I do hope to catch a fire call because I have not been on one yet in my two shifts. Fire calls are where I feel much more comfortable because I know much more about what to do and usually do participate more. One thing I was surprised with was how much I miss moving trucks around the station. One of my next big goals, along with getting Firefighter 1 and EMT basic certified, is becoming an engine operator. During next week, I think I will benefit from spending one more day at a totally new department with the chance of being called on the interstate. I will also benefit from being back with Captain Hick’s shift at Franklin, and finally returning to the Andover meeting which I missed last week.