In Omnia Paratus (Through Training We Are Prepared)
My goatee has been shaved, all I have left is my mustache, making me look lot more like my father than I thought possible. Mass Firefighting Academy regulations state that recruits are not allowed facial hair, so yesterday I shaved all but the mustache. Then I put on my Holden Fire/Rescue uniform, navy blue trousers, navy blue shirt with a Holden patch (and soon to hold an EMT patch as well) my badge and firefighter lapel pins.
The uniform is mandatory for every class of the fire academy and is subject to a military style inspection at the begining of every secession.
Knowing all this made the drive to Berlin Mass, more than a little nerve wracking. With my buddy, and fellow class mate Mike Braley behind the wheel, our bunker gear on the back seat, we set out for our first night of Firefighter I/II Plus class.
A row of white shirted instructors greeted us at the street infront of the fire station at which our class was to be held. We pulled over and told them who were and they immediately began yelling for us to pull around back. At the back another instructor yelled for us to park between the cones, get our gear and assemble inside for a pre class inspection.
Under the orders of yelling, roving, instructors we set out our bunker gear for a full inspection and then run into the classroom to find our seats. No sooner had we sat down then the instructor came into the room and yelled for us to stand at attention. A military style role call was conducted in which we each replied "Present, sir"and then we all sat down for the rules and regulations.
Everyone was issued an MFA water bottle with our number written on it, and an accountability tag that we have to wear on our right side every time we leave the room, even if its just to step into the hallway. In the fire service, everyone needs to know where you are at all times.
After going through a mountain of paperwork, we're given a break in which we were "strongly encouraged" to reassemble our gear. Basically we put our gear back into working order while the instructors gave constructive criticism---they weren't just yelling but giving tips on how to make donning and doffing our gear easier by putting it together a certain way.
After one class at the firefighting academy, I am ready for more. It promises to be a challenging and nerve wracking experience but it serves one purpose, to make me a better and more proficient firefighter. To suceed in emergency service I need not only the certifications offered by this class (Firefighter I/II and HazMat First Responder Operations) but also the lessons born of the experience of my instructors.
The uniform is mandatory for every class of the fire academy and is subject to a military style inspection at the begining of every secession.
Knowing all this made the drive to Berlin Mass, more than a little nerve wracking. With my buddy, and fellow class mate Mike Braley behind the wheel, our bunker gear on the back seat, we set out for our first night of Firefighter I/II Plus class.
A row of white shirted instructors greeted us at the street infront of the fire station at which our class was to be held. We pulled over and told them who were and they immediately began yelling for us to pull around back. At the back another instructor yelled for us to park between the cones, get our gear and assemble inside for a pre class inspection.
Under the orders of yelling, roving, instructors we set out our bunker gear for a full inspection and then run into the classroom to find our seats. No sooner had we sat down then the instructor came into the room and yelled for us to stand at attention. A military style role call was conducted in which we each replied "Present, sir"and then we all sat down for the rules and regulations.
Everyone was issued an MFA water bottle with our number written on it, and an accountability tag that we have to wear on our right side every time we leave the room, even if its just to step into the hallway. In the fire service, everyone needs to know where you are at all times.
After going through a mountain of paperwork, we're given a break in which we were "strongly encouraged" to reassemble our gear. Basically we put our gear back into working order while the instructors gave constructive criticism---they weren't just yelling but giving tips on how to make donning and doffing our gear easier by putting it together a certain way.
After one class at the firefighting academy, I am ready for more. It promises to be a challenging and nerve wracking experience but it serves one purpose, to make me a better and more proficient firefighter. To suceed in emergency service I need not only the certifications offered by this class (Firefighter I/II and HazMat First Responder Operations) but also the lessons born of the experience of my instructors.
posted by Nick Stabile at 9:38 AM
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