I can vividly recall the advice my dad gave me when I came on the job in October 1975. He retired as a district chief in Toledo in August of that same year. For several reasons, I will not relate his exact words or even the context of his acumen. I will tell you that I followed his advice, and here I am today-older, fatter, and wiser-very much because of guidance and mentorship.
To me, first impressions are the most important. I could give advice to young “cubs” concerning studying, learning, and following all the safety rules. My advice is more simplistic and comes from 30 years of watching firefighters come up through this wonderful profession.
I supervised my last recruit class in 2001. On the first full day of training, I told the recruits that the worst thing that could happen to them would be to get off on the wrong foot and be labeled “lazy,” a troublemaker,” or some other negative name. I suggested they could avoid this by “being the first”: the first up in the hosebed to load hose; the first at the front door, masked up and waiting to follow the officer or more seasoned firefighter inside; the first up after dinner to start the dishes; the first at work every tour of duty ... (you get the idea).
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