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“This is not a hobby.” — Jay Lowry, editor, FirefighterHourly.com, VentingtheRoof.com, ThinkingFire.com
Short but to the point. Although I periodically think we do have the funnest job on the planet…
Filed under: Uncategorized?
What makes a good Engineer?
I read a article recently on “what makes a good firefighter”. It made me stop to think about those of us that are Chauffers, Drivers, & Engineers. Over the last few months it’s been hard to find good street smart stuff on effective “Engineering”.
The following are some tips from a few local old (& young) flames on “What makes a good Engineer”. So whether you are operating in an official capacity or want to be better at it when it is your turn to steer the rig, please read the following…and add your 2 cents!
DJ-MAF
Be intimate with your equipment
Be detail oriented (anal)
Do the job of a firefighter for years, gain experience, then drive
Think ahead & anticipate your company’s needs before they ask
Be one step ahead of your officer
You must be mechanically inclined
Know the position above you and below you
Don’t hit anything
Preplan your routes & back up routes
Know your district & know where you’re going BEFORE you leave the station
Know your hydrant pressures & locations in different parts of your district
Know what calls deserve an aggressive driving response
Be aggressive, but not too aggressive
Be cautious, but not too cautious
Set up your gear & accessories for your tour: pump panel, hose lays, nozzles, tools, saws, fans, all for quick deployment
Anything you can do to make your crew’s job easier
Pull extra tools for the job and stage them (back up lines, fans, pike poles etc.)
Be smooth on the brakes easy on the turns
Drive cautiously, slow to 5mph at ALL intersections, and when driving the crew feels safe. You know we have all ridden with that driver where you have to stay tense the entire time feeling that you have to look out and be a 3rd and 4th set of eyes
Utilizes the maps to not only find the address, but counts the houses and has a good idea of where the house is located taking note of hydrants
Gets dressed quickly when not pumping so not to hinder the crews function.
Does a REAL truck check out
Reminds the Captains and others “hey Capt, how about that seat belt?”
Serious about the position, knows the apparatus, and is the “go to guy”
Always place the front or rear bumper even with the hydrant so your pony section reaches the Engine from the hydrant
Know what your officer doesn’t know
Know what your Firefighters can & can’t do, so you can support them better
Time your tank
