What do firefighters do when they have to go to the bathroom?

While this is going on, firefighters will be taking care of the station duties: Sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning the bathrooms, toilets, trash cans, and refrigerators etc.

Do fire fighters shower together?

Nowadays, firefighters generally have individual sleeping areas with shared bathrooms. Part of the reason for the move is to better accommodate a mix of men and women serving together as firefighters.

How do firefighters not overheat?

Firefighters keep from overheating by wearing the proper protective gear when firefighting. They also have guidelines to make sure they manage how much time they spend exposed to high heat, as well as a rehab protocol to re-hydrate and recover from the heat stress.

How long are you a rookie firefighter?

A probationary firefighter (PFF), also known as a rookie firefighter, a candidate firefighter, or probie, for short, is any firefighter in their first 6–18 months of service in a particular fire department.

Do firefighters sleep in the same room?

Usually a large room with a bunch of beds, sometimes Murphy-bed style (pull-down from the wall), cots or even bunk beds. These rooms are usually shared with firefighters on other shifts (so you don’t ever sleep in the same room), but allow a little more privacy and a chance to get some better sleep.

Where do female firefighters sleep?

Firefighters slept in large open dorms, while fire officers might have their own rooms at larger departments, and there was one big locker room that included toilets and showers. When hiring women became more prevalent in the early 1980s, fire departments had to reconsider their living arrangements.

What do firefighters put out fires with?

Firefighters control a fire’s spread (or put it out) by removing one of the three ingredients fire needs to burn: heat, oxygen, or fuel. They remove heat by applying water or fire retardant on the ground (using pumps or special wildland fire engines) or by air (using helicopters/airplanes).

How much weight does a firefighter carry?

The total weight of a firefighter’s PPE depends on the tools needed for the job, but basic PPE (helmet, hood, pants, coat, gloves, boots and air pack) weighs about 45 pounds. Add a thermal imaging camera, radio, box light and set of irons (Halligan bar and axe) and you’re up to about 75 pounds.

Do firefighters keep their gear?

Bunker gear (also known as turnout gear, fire kit and incident gear) is the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by firefighters. The terms are derived from the fact that the trousers and boots are traditionally kept by the firefighter’s bunk at the fire station to be readily available for use.

What do firefighters do during their time at the station?

Firefighters may also use their time at the station to work on their personal and professional studies. Those that want to progress in their careers may take additional training courses and other subjects to succeed. This requires a lot of hard work and knowledge.

What goes on behind the scenes of a firefighter?

Fighting fires may be the literal job description, and most important role of a firefighter, but there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes at the station. Don’t believe what you may read about personnel just lounging around waiting for a call. Firefighters are actually very busy with many important duties.

What is station maintenance in the fire service?

Station Maintenance. Firefighters spend a lot of time in the station. This is their home away from home where they take care of business and conduct all these tasks. It is in use 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, as there is always someone on call. Therefore, it can take a bit of a beating in terms of wear and tear and rubbish.

What would happen if the fire department didn’t do these checks?

Without the following checks and tasks, they could put themselves and the public in danger. Also, the running of the department wouldn’t be anywhere near as efficient. 1. Equipment Checks. Fire crews can fit an unbelievable amount of equipment onto one truck. Everything has its place and its purpose.