Generation

[Truckee]

I was just curious what others think about stereotyping people by there generation. The "young generation" always gets blamed for always texting, video games, "things being handed to them", not grateful, tattoos, not owning up to things, lawsuits and etc. I know there is always some truth to every stereotype. However, I think about who i would associate with each subject i mentioned and i keep coming up with people i wouldnt associate with the younger generation. I consider "younger generation" to be twenties to early thirties. Just curious what everyone else thinks about the "generation" thing.

[HB of CJ]

Truckee....I like your speeling. Good. Let me think about this for awhile (if possible) and I'll get back to you. Remember...it always takes the old guys longer. Ladymedic...E.mail me. :) :) :)

[TaylorMade]

Truckee,

The current stereotypes that the younger generation firefighters face are mostly self inflicted.

I have seen many with poor people skills, lack of common sense, and lack of respect for the older generation of firemen.

If you would like to know how to change many of these views within yourself, (that is if you are a typical younger guy) than I highly recommend that you read the posts within the thread "Advice to New Firefighters" in this forum.

I applaud your openness and inquisitional position regarding the matter.

Cheers!

[Truckee]

Taylormade i agree with you, for the most part. There are some younger generation firefighters with "poor people skills, lack of common sense, and lack of respect". I think the "good" outways the "bad" by a lot. The "bad" just tend to stand out a lot more, giving all the others in the younger generation a bad name. Now i may take some heat for this, but like i said in the first post I don't think these personality flaws are exclusive to the younger generation. When i really think about who are some of the greatest violators of these flaws I think of several people that just happen to be in every generation currently in the fire service. Just some thoughts on the subject, if you think that I am completely off track then let me know.

[firemedic301]

Taylormade i agree with you, for the most part. There are some younger generation firefighters with "poor people skills, lack of common sense, and lack of respect". I think the "good" outways the "bad" by a lot. The "bad" just tend to stand out a lot more, giving all the others in the younger generation a bad name. Now i may take some heat for this, but like i said in the first post I don't think these personality flaws are exclusive to the younger generation. When i really think about who are some of the greatest violators of these flaws I think of several people that just happen to be in every generation currently in the fire service. Just some thoughts on the subject, if you think that I am completely off track then let me know.

My personal feelings on the AGE range of the "YOUNGER" generation is 15-25 years old. You are way correct in the statement that our MID generation peeps cost the Dept and union the most $$$'s and heart ache. Also, it is a fact that it takes 15-20 good things to erase 1 thing, and that is life in general.

For the record EVERYBODY knows the GOOD apples and the BAD apples (young and old)in our profession and Dept that is what the SECOND & THIRD year after probation is for, that is when the employee gets comfortable and show his true colors generally. "a year and a day" can be a GREAT thing or a BAD thing, it is all what YOU make of it. If YOU are a good guy with a solid work ethic and genuine love of the BROTHERHOOD then you have no need to take the "YOUNGER GUY's" term badly.

Just my .03 cents;)

[FRN-FFS]

Some time ago, at a fire service social function a FF from another department asked what my department's "TURD" factor was. After thinking long and hard what the acronym T.U.R.D. could stand for I had to admit I was at a loss for a answer. Surely it had to do with Tactics or something.

He enlightened me that the TURD factor was the number or percentage of firefighters on the job that were TURDS. Meaning those who were considered to be as worthless as a turd in your hand on a fire. He went on to say that ALL departments have a TURD factor, some departments percentage is higher than others but all departments have one.

No explanation was given as to what qualified one to make the TURD list but I'm sure we all have our ideas. After thinking about this for a while I told him I would have to get back to him. My thoughts and a couple more beers brought me to this conclusion.

Everyone will have a different opinion as to what qualifies one as a TURD. The young guys and the old guys, the know it alls and the know it nones, the go getters and the no getters, the wannabes and the posers, the shoulda, woulda, coulda's and the get er duns, the Monday night quarterbacks and the field soldiers. What ever the classification, category, group or bunch you look at every one of them probably has a TURD mixed in it somewhere.

Hopefully everyone has something to contribute to the betterment of the community, the department, the station, the crew or the union. Not everyone can be as perfect as US after all. You may not be able to do much with a TURD but you sure can polish the heck out of it!

TURDS are like opinions, everyone has one, and this one just happens to be mine...

[illdaddy]

Sometimes no matter what you do.. the older guys just give you a hard time even if you are a great guy and work hard.

We have an uphill battle a lot of times.

[chainsaw5vent]

i'm glad that the overwhelming majority of our employees are way above the so called 'turd' factor. some of our guys are a little more high maintenance than others (that happens everywhere). but at least when it comes to running the calls, we don't spend too much time worring about the babysitting factor. stuff gets done, lives gets saved, fires get put out in a timely fashion.
our employees choose to stay here even when they get offers from other departments. they enjoy being busy and running real calls and real fires, not just reading about them in the trade journals or on the news.:)

[BCLepore]

Every generation complains about the "new" guys (didn't Mike and the Mechanics sing a song about this - In the Living Years)?

Sometimes there is some merrit to the stereotype. More often, it's just guys complaining. Some of our best employees are form the new generation.

Like always, it's important to listen to the criticism and see if there is any truth to the criticism. If there is, modify your behavior. If not, keep a smile on your face and continue doing a good job.
Stay safe!

[firemedic301]

i'm glad that the overwhelming majority of our employees are way above the so called 'turd' factor. some of our guys are a little more high maintenance than others (that happens everywhere). but at least when it comes to running the calls, we don't spend too much time worring about the babysitting factor. stuff gets done, lives gets saved, fires get put out in a timely fashion.
our employees choose to stay here even when they get offers from other departments. they enjoy being busy and running real calls and real fires, not just reading about them in the trade journals or on the news.:)

That there about somes it up - usually GREAT departments are the one that guy leave departments for, and RARELY do guy's leave GREAT departments except to retire:D