Volunteer Firefighter?


Hunt or be Hunted

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i have had almost everyone on my dads side be a firefighter my gramps was the cheif for a long time my dad was a vollenteer and i think i am going to be one to if i could find a firestation that will take me i have put in alot of apps for diffrent ones and never did get a call and when i called they said that they had someone already that was in the possition

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You can only have blue lights but you can have them on your roof, your dash, your grille, really wherever you want them. Not sure if there is a restriction as to the amount of lights you can have. One thing I will tell you is that people don't pay attention to lights and sirens most of the time so don't expect them to move over just because you, a civilian, has a blue light on. Trust me, I know from experience. Also, having a blue light does not give you the right to break any Illinois Traffic Laws including speeding or disobeying a stop or yield sign.

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But what if you're on the other side of town, someone is trapped inside a burning car, And you can't speed or anything to get to them faster. Time you get there its to late.

OK, good question. Lets say you do indeed get toned out for an MVC with a pinned occupant. You gun it, switch on the strobes an head to your destination ASAP. (HQ or the scene, depending on the District SOP) just as you really get going, a family in their minivan pulls out and you crash into them at full speed. The likely concequences are catastrophic, for you and the family. Now, your fellow FF's have 2 crashes to respond to, and less members to do so with. This obviously represents a worst case scenario. But increasing the likelihood is never a good thing. Several of the members of the dept. I was in years ago were Police officers and wouldn't hesitate to ticket a speeding volley in a heartbeat!

Back to the victim for a moment, one of the hardest things is realizing that not everyone can be rescued despite the most valiant effort.

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OK, good question. Lets say you do indeed get toned out for an MVC with a pinned occupant. You gun it, switch on the strobes an head to your destination ASAP. (HQ or the scene, depending on the District SOP) just as you really get going, a family in their minivan pulls out and you crash into them at full speed. The likely concequences are catastrophic, for you and the family. Now, your fellow FF's have 2 crashes to respond to, and less members to do so with. This obviously represents a worst case scenario. But increasing the likelihood is never a good thing. Several of the members of the dept. I was in years ago were Police officers and wouldn't hesitate to ticket a speeding volley in a heartbeat!

Back to the victim for a moment, one of the hardest things is realizing that not everyone can be rescued despite the most valiant effort.

Now that sucks! Oh well. Still ain't gonna stop me from being one :)

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Now since you are from Illinois, I got something to ask you. What can you put on your truck/whatever you drive?

I "think" you can only have blue lights in Illinois, Not sure. I guess I can look it up lol.

So if your a Volunteer firefighter you can't speed or run a stop sign on your way to a call?

But what if you're on the other side of town, someone is trapped inside a burning car, And you can't speed or anything to get to them faster. Time you get there its to late.

I'm not trying to be as big of a jerk as you are going to think I am. But I believe there are about 836 things you should be worried about and wanting to get educated on besides what lights you can run on your vehicle and if you can speed, run stop signs and lights. There are many educated people here that would be more than willing to answer any questions, but the questions you have asked seem to be the immature mentality of a teenager trying to find an adrenaline rush and not one wanting to be a mature man with the thoughts of saving lives and or property in his sights. I would suggest going to a firehouse and having a meeting with them, asking them questions, learning everything you can and once you have learned what you think is enough, take one more year to learn more and grow up some before getting out there in situations that take your life as well as others into your very own hands.

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I'm not trying to be as big of a jerk as you are going to think I am. But I believe there are about 836 things you should be worried about and wanting to get educated on besides what lights you can run on your vehicle and if you can speed, run stop signs and lights. There are many educated people here that would be more than willing to answer any questions, but the questions you have asked seem to be the mentality of a r trying to find an and not one wanting to be a mature man with the thoughts of saving lives and or property in his sights. I would suggest going to a firehouse and having a meeting with them, asking them questions, learning everything you can and once you have learned what you think is enough, take one more year to learn more and grow up some before getting out there in situations that take your life as well as others into your very own hands.
Knew someone would say something like this... No I just wanted to know this before I went out. But I know what I want to do. And I am going to do it. I don't care if I can "run stop signs, Speed ect" Yes I think It'd help in a way but safety comes first. If I made it sound like I just wanted to find a adrenaline rush, Then I'm sorry I didn't mean to.

But I really do want to become one, Because I feel like it is something I want to do. Think It'd be an awesome feeling to know you saved someones house, Or even there life. So Ben if you think I'm a immature teenager, Then go ahead, But I know I'm not.

One more thing. I am planning on going to our Fire house, Sometime next month. Just an FYI.

Edited by Hunt or be Hunted
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Knew someone would say something like this... No I just wanted to know this before I went out. But I know what I want to do. And I am going to do it. I don't care if I can "run stop signs, Speed ect" Yes I think It'd help in a way but safety comes first. If I made it sound like I just wanted to find a adrenaline rush, Then I'm sorry I didn't mean to.

But I really do want to become one, Because I feel like it is something I want to do. Think It'd be an awesome feeling to know you saved someones house, Or even there life. So Ben if you think I'm a immature teenager, Then go ahead, But I know I'm not.

One more thing. I am planning on going to our Fire house, Sometime next month. Just an FYI.

I based that response and opinions strictly on what you posted in this thread and nothing else. I support anyone, best friend or worst enemy in their life choices and dreams as long as they are prepared for them and give their 100% in everything they do. My post was not a call out on you as a person with everything you do in your life and dreams, I was simply responding off of the post that were made in this thread. Being a public service worker is a huge responsiblity and task to take on, if you want it, go get it and dont let anything stop you. Education is the one thing that will get you wherever you want to go in life. With the great people here at RealTree, this includes you Jeremy, I would have thought I would have seen more mature questions being asked. I want you to succeed in your dreams and goals. I have seen you grow up a lot in the past two years and I commend you for that. Take people's opinions as a learning experience not as a cut down to you as a person. If I did that with all the poo people have said to me on my opinions I would be in a mental insitute right now. Instead I actually listen to them (I may not show that online and here at RT just to stir the pot a little more and get people fired up) but I do take their opinons into consideration and look at their thoughts and decisions from their shoes and see if I would have said an opinion or choice differently. Anyhow, take it for what it's worth, like it or don't. This is just a HUGE step in growing up and learning what responsibilty is all about. You will have the life of another person in your hands if you do this and if you do continue with this dream I wish you the best. Only you can decide if this is for you. I just say learn everything you can and once you have everything that you think you need to know, learn more. One thing nobody can take away from you is your education. I think about that everyday with myself, live my life how I want to, take other's opinions as learning material, chase my dreams and take the world on. Good luck Jeremy.

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I don't know, Maybe you're right, Maybe I should take another year and learn more before I go out and try to do it. But the good thing I can learn a lot from my dad since he done it for I think 3 years or something like that. Because I still got a lot to learn. Just something to think bout I guess.. Still need to learn all the codes, Stuff like that.

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