I am all for Junior firefighters training programs; but it has been my experience to never ever leave them unsupervised! And even when they finish their training and graduate/ get promoted to a full firefighter position...never ever leave them unsupervised! And when they have 5 or 10 years of service under their belts...never ever leave them unsupervised! It has been my experience that some of these people of younger generations simply do not fully grasp what it means to be a responsible adult! Never ever discount your older experienced firefighters! The old man with white hair,is still with your department because all the training you can get doesn't equal the person who has been there & done that! I believe a firefighter should get all the training they can ! Just show some respect for the older & wiser generations of firefighters that have some life experiences! Don't be too eager to promote the younger firefighters! Let them earn their qualifications & ranks! I have seen young firefighters lose their nerves & get others hurt & killed because a young officer didn't have the life experience to deal with a critical incident! I realize that every department in the world is understaffed & need manpower! But be careful when you are trying to fill positions! Don't make the mistakes that others have made by putting " younger & stronger" people in positions they are not ready for! I hope & pray you take this advice from an old & retired Captain!
I am all for Junior firefighters training programs; but it has been my experience to never ever leave them unsupervised! And even when they finish their training and graduate/ get promoted to a full firefighter position...never ever leave them unsupervised! And when they have 5 or 10 years of service under their belts...never ever leave them unsupervised! It has been my experience that some of these people of younger generations simply do not fully grasp what it means to be a responsible adult! Never ever discount your older experienced firefighters! The old man with white hair,is still with your department because all the training you can get doesn't equal the person who has been there & done that! I believe a firefighter should get all the training they can ! Just show some respect for the older & wiser generations of firefighters that have some life experiences! Don't be too eager to promote the younger firefighters! Let them earn their qualifications & ranks! I have seen young firefighters lose their nerves & get others hurt & killed because a young officer didn't have the life experience to deal with a critical incident! I realize that every department in the world is understaffed & need manpower! But be careful when you are trying to fill positions! Don't make the mistakes that others have made by putting " younger & stronger" people in positions they are not ready for! I hope & pray you take this advice from an old & retired Captain!