volunteer firefighting - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

madness410 · 06-02-2009, 05:59 PM

anyone here do it? i swung by my local fire department and it sounds awesome, so many benefits and no expenses, learn cool things, give back to the community, free training, networking. cant go wrong.

to anyone else who does it how long have you been doing it and do you enjoy it?

btownws6 · 06-02-2009, 06:06 PM

my g/f used to do it and she was one for 2 years and loved it to death she said there was no rush like running into a fire. she stopped b/c we had a little girl but she would do it again in a heartbeat

miketa95 · 06-02-2009, 06:09 PM

i always thought about doing it, but i'm so busy i really dont know how i would work that with my schedule

madness410 · 06-02-2009, 06:10 PM

yeah thats what i hear, the feelings you get are exhilarating but sometimes it sucks seeing dead bodies and grotesque car accidents. the guy i talked to was straight up and very honest about everything.

ShitOnWheels · 06-02-2009, 06:35 PM

James did it for 14 years. Stopped after 9/11 due to his family begging, and his knees. I'll make sure he sees this and see if he has anything to add.

madness410 · 06-02-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketa95

i always thought about doing it, but i'm so busy i really dont know how i would work that with my schedule

from what i hear its like 120 hours of fire school...2 nights a week it will be a PITA but should be worth it. also its all free and would look good for my career.

2kblackgtp · 06-02-2009, 07:03 PM

I keep considering it and really want to try to work it into my schedule. Unfortunately, me starting work between 5am and 7am 6-7 days a week kicks my ass and i don't know if i could do the late nights you seem to end up with.

Kojak · 06-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madness410

from what i hear its like 120 hours of fire school...2 nights a week it will be a PITA but should be worth it. also its all free and would look good for my career.

I think they bumped it up to around 160 hours of FF1 in NJ. I am on my 6th year on an engine company. Started driving and pumping the engine this year.

I am glad I started doing it but the hardest thing is finding time to put the effort in. I am almost done with school, have a full time job, and I'm usually out with my friends at night. Even with all that i still make about 40-50% of the calls we get each year in my town.

I think you'll like it just make sure you put the effort in and be prepared to meet many weirdos.

FIcamaroRE92 · 06-02-2009, 07:36 PM

I have benn doing it for 3 yeasr now, my dad for 15, so I grew up in it. I thought about leaving becuase of the firehouse drama, but i cant do it. MCFA is A breeze IF YOU REMBER TO BRING ALL YOUR GEAR! It truley is a rewarding and sometimes funny experince. You become part of a brotherhood, i will never forget the first time I was on scene. truth is I love it, and some times I dont lol.

my pro's:
Wetdowns
Car accidents
Breslin distributor demonstration
agustus hood tool.
air bags

sheetrock tool- i dont know why, I just like that tool lol
Wildwood Convention
crowd control
truck ops

ventlation
and the stair chair!

my Con's:
waking up at 3:30 am
packing hose
cleaning/washing.
fires when its -2*
and ******** calls lol

you can ask me anything
check us out http://www.southplainfieldfire.com/

FIcamaroRE92 · 06-02-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kojak

I think they bumped it up to around 160 hours of FF1 in NJ. I am on my 6th year on an engine company. Started driving and pumping the engine this year.

I am glad I started doing it but the hardest thing is finding time to put the effort in. I am almost done with school, have a full time job, and I'm usually out with my friends at night. Even with all that i still make about 40-50% of the calls we get each year in my town.

I think you'll like it just make sure you put the effort in and be prepared to meet many weirdos.

X 100000000000000

truely some sick people in the fire buisness.

maroman88 · 06-02-2009, 11:45 PM

been doing it since i was 15, now 23. wouldnt trade it for the world. FF1 is a breeze, they push u thru. the brotherhood is awesome... u just dont understand until ur apart of it. there are lotsa weirdos that take it way to seriously, but it does become a way of life. and like stated before the rush is incredible, even after doing it for so many years, when u hear theres a rippin fire or a pin job ur heart starts pounding while ur trying to get to the firehouse lol

Crayface · 06-03-2009, 12:02 AM

i been doing it for just over 4 years now, but i been involved with FF all my life since my dad was always huge in it. It really is an amazing experiance, though you will precieve it to be easier than it really is at first.

all i got to say is, Free Beer.....dam thats an awesome benefit!! hahah but besides that jon if you got any questions give me a call, i helped foti out with some stuff when he was going through FF1.

MyFirstZ · 06-03-2009, 12:16 AM

my best friend and girlfriend are both firefighters. Both absolutely love it. Probably would have joined if it was not for being in school, working and having a gf. They have both been in since they were 16

NP_00'T/A · 06-03-2009, 03:31 PM

I've been doing it a little over 10 years now and its like a second family you have your ups and downs but when it comes to it they will always be there for you no matter what. I always see new and interesting things, and we have a lot of fun. As for the disgusting stuff I haven't really seen too many things in my time, and you probably won't unless your town covers a major highway.... Try it out like you said there is nothing to lose, and if you don't like it you can always leave.

GP99GT · 06-03-2009, 03:35 PM

it also gets you out of jury duty

JDAlicea09 · 06-03-2009, 03:59 PM

my grandfather was a volunteer firefigher, he told me it is one hell of a thing to put on a resume...

88FormulaChick · 06-04-2009, 10:13 AM

I've been doing it for...3, almost 4 years now. nothing better...i love it.

69BirdX · 06-04-2009, 10:58 AM

i did a program for people under 18 for awhile. then i got to busy with school. Its fun but to much drama for me thats why i havent joined

BurninrubberGT · 06-04-2009, 11:04 AM

i went to high school with a couple guys that did it, they seemed to love it

ive always wanted to but like a lot of people said i just cant balance it with work and school

madness410 · 06-04-2009, 11:37 AM

hahah thanks for all your input guys. i just turned in my application today, all the guys are really cool. i think theres a 30 day probation period then a committee decides to let me in or not so i hope i get in.

everyone ive talked to says they love it, and it will be very beneficial to my career