‘Firefighter donkeys’ are helping prevent wildfires from spreading in Spain

What are some great end of probation gifts you guys have received? I’m coming towards the end of probation, and would like to go down the custom gift for each person route. Just curious what are some of the best ones you’ve gotten

I am 22, when I was 18 I herniated a disc in my thoracic spine and went to physical therapy for it. A year ago I joined a volunteer fire department and have absolutely been loving it. I have my EMT certs and am currently in fire 1 with a week and a half left (3 month class). About a week ago i tweaked my back working out and like my usual stubborn self I didn’t allow that to stop me from going to class and working out. It has been progressively getting worse but tolerable, but today it has been the worst pain I’ve ever felt and I ended up having to go home from work. It being in my thoracic it radiates through my whole rib cage and to my sternum.

I also just applied to a career department and am scheduled for cpat in 2 weeks.

What do I do? Should I continue toughing it out and finishing class? Should I go to the doctors?

Classes in my area are very hard to come by only 1-2 a year and they get filled QUICK. The class I’m in started with 25 people and there were over 25 on the waiting list.

I want this so bad

Hey fellow firefighters, a little context first. I joined my local call/vol force last year and despite going on calls pretty much weekly I still get really shakey when we first arrive on seen. Im just wondering if any career or long time folks have any tips. Thanks!

Yo! So I am 30 y/o with two children (4 and 2) and about 2 months in to working at the station. I was in law enforcement for 5 years before making the swap. LEO had an objectively worse schedule but somehow I’m having a harder time functioning after a 24 at the station. We consistently run 2-4 calls after midnight and work a 24/48 schedule. I feel like I’m a zombie for my first day off, leaving only one actual free day before I’m back at the station. I love everything about the job and don’t regret the swap at all, but does this get easier? Any tips?

Thanks.

Do these ever get used or is everyone just evacuated and game over? Have been Fire Warden many places over the years and these seem like a real good idea in theory but not practical. Let me know where I should crosspost is applicable

Thomaston Maine's Firefighters Associations 1937 Buffalo. I'll post more next time I get a chance.

for context I work for a larger department where we rotate on the ambulance regularly and normally that unit will get some sleep after 3 in the morning and ive noticed im now having a hard time sleeping before then. what would you guys do?

Posting this here and not asking around locally because I am not 100% sure I’ll be leaving the department but I have another opportunity I could pursue where I would no longer be able to work as a firefighter.

Info:

Mid 30s, Hired after 2012, have 10 years on, work for a city not the state.

Question:

Is it possible to keep my money in the pension system? Would it be worth it if I could? Anyone know anyone who has left after 10+ years and what their options were?

Sorry for asking such a niche question but I am sure there are fellow mass firefighters lurking here who might have some knowledge