What's Necessary to be a Good Firefighter?

[Guest bibbles10504]

Hi, my friend is doing this English project on firefighters and is writing a paper about what is necessary to be a good firefighter. She talked to me about it and I was able to give her some ideas based on my background. But then it got me thinking... What does everyone think are "good firefighter" characteristics. Any thoughts?

P.S. Same question for the EMS people

Thanks

Edited April 11, 2007 by bibbles10504

[z28skunk 28]

even though this website is from the UK, it still has many attributes for all firefighters globally.

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/recruitment/pqa.php

[Remember585 815]

What does everyone think are "good firefighter" characteristics. Any thoughts?

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1. Accepting the fact that you will never know everything.

2. Realizing that it is a Team Effort and one person alone can not get it done.

3. Training is like breathing, it should only stop when you are dead.

4. Share your knowledge and experiences with others so they can learn.

5. There are no dumb questions in the fire service, ASK SOMEONE!

[mlfcemt093 0]

1. Accepting the fact that you will never know everything.

2. Realizing that it is a Team Effort and one person alone can not get it done.

3. Training is like breathing, it should only stop when you are dead.

4. Share your knowledge and experiences with others so they can learn.

5. There are no dumb questions in the fire service, ASK SOMEONE!

←

I believe the same goes for EMS as well, you hit the nail right on the head.

[firecapt32 282]

can i steal the training line??

[capt2102 64]

IN MY EXPERIENCE IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES YOU CAN BE TRAINED TO BE A GOOD FIREFIGHTER:

1. FORMER HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE, NOT NECESSARY TO BE A GREAT ONE BUT PART OF A TEAM.

2. A KNOWLEDGE OF BUILDING TRADES ie ELECT.; PLUMBING; CARPENTRY.

3. GOOD COMMON SENSE.

4. A SOLID HISTORY OF BEING ON TIME AND RELIABLE.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

This can be taken in many different ways. If you're asking what will make a good firefighter in regards to a person then many have hit the nail right on the head. If you're asking what makes a firefighter good then there are several other things.

I always talk about "JJ DID TIE BUCKLE". These are the 14 leadership traits taught by the Marine Corps and many apply to being a good leader, firefighter and fire officer.

To me a good firefighter is a team player, and not only can do something efficiently and properly, but knows why he/she is doing it and what effects it can cause both good and bad.

What leads a good firefighter to be a great firefighter and an awesome fire officer is strong knowledge of fire behavior and building construction.

And finally, to me a good firefighter is the person who says I know how to do it, may even know how to do it, but always looks for a better way to perform and if they don't know they immediately go and find the means to relearn or reinforce a skill.