Everywhere you go, firefighters are talking about their probationary firefighters, the probies. Some have lots of them and complain about all the inexperience, about everything these new folks don't know, and all the tactics and operations they have never performed. Other firefighters are not happy with the fact that many probies lack knowledge and initiative in the firehouse. Not technical knowledge about tools or equipment, but the knowledge that these firefighters need to become integrated and accepted into the firehouse "brotherhood."
We all know that as the weeks and months pass, the inexperienced probies will receive technical and operational training that will slowly bring them into the fire company mainstream. But who will show these new firefighters how things are done around "this" firehouse? Who will tell them what is expected of them in the firehouse kitchen, laundry room and housewatch area? Who tells the newest firefighters when they are expected to arrive for a tour and when they are "allowed" to be relieved? What are the probies' roles at a line-of-duty funeral and a softball game?
All of these questions are important and the newest firefighters in any firehouse need to get the correct answers quickly so they can begin their long fire service journey on the right foot. Every eye is watching and every ear is listening to each probie. Did we get a "good one"? Is this probie going to fit in here? Is this new guy doing the "right thing"? The answers to these questions will likely define and mold the unshakable reputation that the probie will carry for years to come.
Company officers are an integral part of training in any fire department, and the training that any new probationary firefighter receives certainly starts with the company officer. When a probie arrives at an FDNY firehouse, he or she is usually greeted by the firefighter at the housewatch desk, but then quickly ushered to the office to meet the officer on duty. Along with the official greeting to the unit, the officer will also start the process of molding this new FDNY firefighter into a productive member of the company. The training at the fire academy produces an FDNY firefighter, but the training and education needed to earn membership into the company begins today, in the firehouse.
The officer on duty will often start by providing the probie with information about the company and the firehouse. A little history about the reputation the company has and why, the number of runs and workers the company responds to and the level of professionalism displayed by the current members of the unit. This introduction to the company and the firefighters who work there gives the probie a goal to shoot for and an appreciation for being a member of this unit. This first "lesson" about the company, the firefighters and the history of the unit sets the tone for this new firefighter and should provide him or her with a realistic set of expectations.
After this initial discussion, the officer will shift the focus from the conditions and abilities of the current members of the company to what is expected of this new arrival. No new member of any organization can be expected to perform up to a specific level if not informed of the expectations. The company officer will inform the probie that he or she is going to be held to a very high standard by both the officers and fellow firefighters in the unit. The probie will be expected to be active in every aspect of the company and to work harder and longer at every activity. The probie will be advised to show respect not only to the officers, but also for the senior firefighters in the company during this indoctrination period.
The firefighters who are working the tour when the new probie shows up also have an important job to do. Some say that this process, the more senior firefighters advising and instructing the newest member, may have an even more dramatic impact on the future performance and attitude of the probie. After coming down from the company office, probies are quickly engaged by several of the senior members to find out who they are, where they come from, whether they have family on the job, what skills they have and what kind of "job" they had before. All of this information is important because the firefighters will use it, in conjunction with each probie's performance, to determine expectations. The probie will be given a firehouse walk-through and each area, apparatus and piece of equipment will be explained. The probie will be introduced to the other on-duty firefighters and to the mops, brooms and kitchen sink that they will soon be spending lots of time with.
Many other issues and items will be discussed between the firefighters over the next few hours and the probie will get a "real" education from his or her new colleagues. This process, this downloading of information, traditions and expectations, is what creates a valuable and productive probie who will someday be the senior firefighter breaking in the company's newest probie.
JOHN J. SALKA JR., a Firehouse contributing editor, is a 28-year veteran battalion chief with FDNY, the commander of the 18th battalion in the Bronx. Salka has instructed at several FDNY training programs, including the department's Probationary Firefighters School, Captains Management Program and Battalion Chiefs Command Course. He conducts training programs at national and local conferences and has been recognized for his firefighter survival course "Get Out Alive." Salka co-authored the FDNY Engine Company Operations manual and wrote the book Forged in Fire: Leadership Lessons of the FDNY. He also operates Fire Command Training, a New York-based fire service training and consulting firm.
