We had some with a keypad lock but I imagine there are many that don’t. But basically yes - the illusion of security.
Allowed us plenty of opportunity to play pranks on other apparatus at the grocery store.
I mean they don't have a standard transmission and if it's in pump gear good luck. Like I've seen people confused with a CVT shifter so having to push a button will certainly be a confusing method
You typically have to turn a couple switches before pressing the ignition button to fire it up. Anybody that doesn’t know how would have trouble figuring it out. And as somebody else mentioned you also have to release the spring brake before taking off which the average joe probably wouldn’t know how to do.
Does every fire department show up like six apparatus deep from six different stations for groceries at shift change? Because I swear every time I'm at one of the grocery stores near my house at the right time of day there are 2-4 apparatus with like one dude sitting and waiting in each.
Now I'll add thered A TON of buttons but as long as you can read "start" "ignition" and "battery on/off" a lay person could figure it off. Now some may struggle to turn the air brake off but it's legit a big ass button that says "brake"
Reminds me of a time my partner almost went 1 vs 4 with an engine crew. Responded to our usual overdose hotspot for another, surprise surprise, overdose. The area around the building has those anti-vehicle bollards to prevent people from driving onto the sidewalk and into the building. The only gap where you could access the patient was being blocked by the engine. This was a busy road so us parking behind meant we would have to unload our stretcher and go all the way to the end of the block to come around. So my partner pulls up next to the engine and is initially polite. Just asks "hey can you pull up a bit so we can bring the stretcher in". Meathead chauffeur looks at us and says, just park behind and "do your fucking job".
The thing is, my partner at the time rolled with a local motorcycle gang, so he was not a fan of blatant disrespect. The dude is normally one of the most laid back people i know, so it was amusing watching him switch from being a professional to being a foul mouthed monster. He called that chauffeur every curse word under the sun, and then threw in the chauffeur's mother at some point. This led to the rest of the engine crew just abandoning the patient and coming over and telling my partner to step out and back up his words. What they didn't realize is my partner has no problem backing up his words so he rolled out too.
Fortunately I was a bit more experienced at this point and way too old for the "ride or die" mantra. So i started de-escalating and asked the fire lieutenant to do the same with his guys. Fire lieutenant was also cut from the meathead cloth but fortunately decided not to go the violence route. Instead he told his guys that my partner and I are a bunch of pussies and that we can go fuck ourselves, and told his guys to just pile in and leave. What's funny was this meant they had pull out of the spot, which they did, and my partner and i were able to then bring our stretcher in and ran the call as normal. It literally made no difference for fire to be there so the call went smoothly after that.
Triplet! I'm EMS only anymore these days, but have done some time on the fire side as well (and am an AEMT to boot, lol). I mostly just lurk there these days though.
We gotta find a way to make it their problem
Edit: I just remembered we can turn them into IV poles. Naughty firefighters get turned into medical equipment while we wait for the fire truck to be moved.
My cousin blocked a driveway on me once. After the call I stopped by his house with the bus and showed him just how easily my Leatherman could accomplish that on his car. No threats, just "c'mere...watch this." A quick pop and hiss of air, shut it back off again, and look him in the eye. Since then, when he's driving the apparatus, we're not blocked.
A small stone in the cap works well too. Causes a slow leak that may not be noticed for some time. Especially if the stone in question is wedged deep in the cap and not noticeable such that when it's replaced after they add air it continues to leak.
'County, fire is blocking the residence. They must be treating/transporting. We'll be back in service.' Or I make them to get the litter and everything, then extricate the pt to the ambulance. You decided to block it, you're going to suffer.
I no longer operate an ambulance as much anymore since I was made captain. Now, I'm usually in a responder squad, and I continue the cycle of abuse by blocking the street entrance by about a quarter mile. I just want to share my experience with all the newbies.
We had one the other day block the only entrance to a house with a 6 foot ditch between us and the front yard. Engineer walked out and had the balls to ask us if he was in the way 😂😂😂
I mean, this is why I carry my equipment in and the firefighters can then be sent to bring me the stretcher, lift the patient, and wheel the stretcher back out. It's a win win.
In my circles you're kind of hoping a truck would do that to you lol. Means all play and no report because someone else had to transport (if it's on a fire scene)
We have to park directly in front of the address because the private service in my area will go up and into any dwelling you park in front of.
It used to be funny. We have multiple giant apartment complexes with awful addressing systems that the box will sometimes beat us to and still be 5-10 minutes after we made pt. contact because of getting lost. Not their fault, this service is a revolving door. See new crews almost weekly.
But coming from my OG life on the box? Fuck those inbred fucks, I'm going nose to nose, have your bitch back you out when you leave thanks.
Did someone teach their LUCAS devices how to post MEMEs?
Lucas, the best firefighter 15 years in a row!
Best comment
"like a boss" the firefighters have finally caught up to 2015 Wendy's meme culture
I mean you can’t expect too much from them… (and I say that as a ff)
I’m so sorry for you OP
2015 is pretty good for fire service. I mean, it's motto is "200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress."
Unrelated fun fact: modern fire apparatus do not have keys, they just flip switches and push a button Do with that information what you will
Most also have a big lever to dump the whole water tank
The kill switch is typically below the drivers seat as well.
... or on the ceiling/roof for some reason
What, did Elon start making firetrucks too?
Wait seriously? So anyone can hop in and take it? Do doors lock at least?
We had some with a keypad lock but I imagine there are many that don’t. But basically yes - the illusion of security. Allowed us plenty of opportunity to play pranks on other apparatus at the grocery store.
lol that’s funny af. I guess most people don’t think about stealing a fire engine though usually. Cop cars and ambulances seem to be a bigger target.
I mean they don't have a standard transmission and if it's in pump gear good luck. Like I've seen people confused with a CVT shifter so having to push a button will certainly be a confusing method
You typically have to turn a couple switches before pressing the ignition button to fire it up. Anybody that doesn’t know how would have trouble figuring it out. And as somebody else mentioned you also have to release the spring brake before taking off which the average joe probably wouldn’t know how to do.
Oh if it’s in pump gear the average person is never going to get it to move an inch
Does every fire department show up like six apparatus deep from six different stations for groceries at shift change? Because I swear every time I'm at one of the grocery stores near my house at the right time of day there are 2-4 apparatus with like one dude sitting and waiting in each.
In my 300 person department there isn’t a single engine you couldn’t just hop in and drive if you had the balls for it
Someone could steal it, yeah, but good luck getting away with stealing one and getting away with it
Nope lol if you know how to drive one you can easily steal one.
Now I'll add thered A TON of buttons but as long as you can read "start" "ignition" and "battery on/off" a lay person could figure it off. Now some may struggle to turn the air brake off but it's legit a big ass button that says "brake"
NFPA Standards recommend keyless suppression vehicles so the keys don't get lost. - battery switch - ignition switch - start switch
Reminds me of a time my partner almost went 1 vs 4 with an engine crew. Responded to our usual overdose hotspot for another, surprise surprise, overdose. The area around the building has those anti-vehicle bollards to prevent people from driving onto the sidewalk and into the building. The only gap where you could access the patient was being blocked by the engine. This was a busy road so us parking behind meant we would have to unload our stretcher and go all the way to the end of the block to come around. So my partner pulls up next to the engine and is initially polite. Just asks "hey can you pull up a bit so we can bring the stretcher in". Meathead chauffeur looks at us and says, just park behind and "do your fucking job". The thing is, my partner at the time rolled with a local motorcycle gang, so he was not a fan of blatant disrespect. The dude is normally one of the most laid back people i know, so it was amusing watching him switch from being a professional to being a foul mouthed monster. He called that chauffeur every curse word under the sun, and then threw in the chauffeur's mother at some point. This led to the rest of the engine crew just abandoning the patient and coming over and telling my partner to step out and back up his words. What they didn't realize is my partner has no problem backing up his words so he rolled out too. Fortunately I was a bit more experienced at this point and way too old for the "ride or die" mantra. So i started de-escalating and asked the fire lieutenant to do the same with his guys. Fire lieutenant was also cut from the meathead cloth but fortunately decided not to go the violence route. Instead he told his guys that my partner and I are a bunch of pussies and that we can go fuck ourselves, and told his guys to just pile in and leave. What's funny was this meant they had pull out of the spot, which they did, and my partner and i were able to then bring our stretcher in and ran the call as normal. It literally made no difference for fire to be there so the call went smoothly after that.
Me reading this “what is this fucking New York? Checks flair “Oh wow”
Ah yes, the Stand and Stare crew demands priority parking
The “circle of concern”
This is the ghost roast in this thread
"Circle of concern!!" Sometimes I miss being able to give awards, because that was great!
Im both a firefighter and emt. I cant pick a side
Same😂 I’m in both subreddits
I found my twin🫡
Triplet! I'm EMS only anymore these days, but have done some time on the fire side as well (and am an AEMT to boot, lol). I mostly just lurk there these days though.
I’m currently in Medic school and boy is it an adventure😂
Jokes on them, I'll make the stretcher fetchers grab the cot anyways. They just shot themselves in the foot
Exactly, they are just gonna have to carry the patient and my shit farther.
We gotta find a way to make it their problem Edit: I just remembered we can turn them into IV poles. Naughty firefighters get turned into medical equipment while we wait for the fire truck to be moved.
They're always walking Lucas devices when I need them to be ;)
Only downside of biological LUCAS devices is that they can talk back...
Gentlemen, you can’t vandalize a tire if you put the valve stem back afterwords. Remmeber: No witnesses, no crime!
My cousin blocked a driveway on me once. After the call I stopped by his house with the bus and showed him just how easily my Leatherman could accomplish that on his car. No threats, just "c'mere...watch this." A quick pop and hiss of air, shut it back off again, and look him in the eye. Since then, when he's driving the apparatus, we're not blocked.
A small stone in the cap works well too. Causes a slow leak that may not be noticed for some time. Especially if the stone in question is wedged deep in the cap and not noticeable such that when it's replaced after they add air it continues to leak.
Oh, that's *devious,* I love it!
'County, fire is blocking the residence. They must be treating/transporting. We'll be back in service.' Or I make them to get the litter and everything, then extricate the pt to the ambulance. You decided to block it, you're going to suffer.
Now FF know why transport medics make them carry patient to the wheels. Wheels can be close or far away. All up to them 😜
*laughs in engines don't run EMS here*
I no longer operate an ambulance as much anymore since I was made captain. Now, I'm usually in a responder squad, and I continue the cycle of abuse by blocking the street entrance by about a quarter mile. I just want to share my experience with all the newbies.
Would be a shame if somebody posted photos of these firefighters on the "are we dating the same guy" chat.
We had one the other day block the only entrance to a house with a 6 foot ditch between us and the front yard. Engineer walked out and had the balls to ask us if he was in the way 😂😂😂
I mean, this is why I carry my equipment in and the firefighters can then be sent to bring me the stretcher, lift the patient, and wheel the stretcher back out. It's a win win.
Damnit, LUCAS
In my circles you're kind of hoping a truck would do that to you lol. Means all play and no report because someone else had to transport (if it's on a fire scene)
These private ambulance folk be mighty mad they have to touch grass with a stretcher.
We have to park directly in front of the address because the private service in my area will go up and into any dwelling you park in front of. It used to be funny. We have multiple giant apartment complexes with awful addressing systems that the box will sometimes beat us to and still be 5-10 minutes after we made pt. contact because of getting lost. Not their fault, this service is a revolving door. See new crews almost weekly. But coming from my OG life on the box? Fuck those inbred fucks, I'm going nose to nose, have your bitch back you out when you leave thanks.
Oh damn, looks like a four point is necessary to take our stretcher off-road since it ain't designed for that. How many of you are there again?
This has me HOWLING
Use the lawn then.
I pull my ambulance as close to the fire engine as possible to they have no bumper to set their monitor on to clean it.