The "This Might Be A Stupid Question, But...." Thread

[Iris]

I guess the main part that was the stupid question was the part of the base firefighters... The base is much smaller than a town, so I always figured they would have way more downtime.  Forgot about base housing nearby though, I guess that would add a fair amount extra calls.



Told you it was a stupid question 

I have a couple of neighbours who are firies and they DO have a fair bit of downtime. They often sleep when they are on nights etc. It's just the nature of the job. The flip side is that they DO have to be very fit so a reasonable amount of their own time is spent training. Also I know one of them was out with friends one day and responded to a nearby fire even though it was his day off. He explained that it is far better to have too many trucks/firefighters than too few so they are expected to all respond if they are in the area.

I guess it's a bit like professional lifesavers. A reasonable amount of time their job involves sitting at a nice beach supervising. Sounds good, but I still wouldn't want - and indeed couldn't do - their job.

[mmswm]

I guess the main part that was the stupid question was the part of the base firefighters... The base is much smaller than a town, so I always figured they would have way more downtime.  Forgot about base housing nearby though, I guess that would add a fair amount extra calls.



Told you it was a stupid question 

I have a couple of neighbours who are firies and they DO have a fair bit of downtime. They often sleep when they are on nights etc. It's just the nature of the job. The flip side is that they DO have to be very fit so a reasonable amount of their own time is spent training. Also I know one of them was out with friends one day and responded to a nearby fire even though it was his day off. He explained that it is far better to have too many trucks/firefighters than too few so they are expected to all respond if they are in the area.

I guess it's a bit like professional lifesavers. A reasonable amount of time their job involves sitting at a nice beach supervising. Sounds good, but I still wouldn't want - and indeed couldn't do - their job.

I've been a beach lifeguard.  I'd describe the job as "long stretches of extreme boredom punctuated by brief moments of unadulterated adrenaline."  My guess is that firefighters, cops and ambulance crews could describe their jobs pretty much the same way.

[Mental Magpie]

I guess the main part that was the stupid question was the part of the base firefighters... The base is much smaller than a town, so I always figured they would have way more downtime.  Forgot about base housing nearby though, I guess that would add a fair amount extra calls.



Told you it was a stupid question 

I have a couple of neighbours who are firies and they DO have a fair bit of downtime. They often sleep when they are on nights etc. It's just the nature of the job. The flip side is that they DO have to be very fit so a reasonable amount of their own time is spent training. Also I know one of them was out with friends one day and responded to a nearby fire even though it was his day off. He explained that it is far better to have too many trucks/firefighters than too few so they are expected to all respond if they are in the area.

I guess it's a bit like professional lifesavers. A reasonable amount of time their job involves sitting at a nice beach supervising. Sounds good, but I still wouldn't want - and indeed couldn't do - their job.

I've been a beach lifeguard.  I'd describe the job as "long stretches of extreme boredom punctuated by brief moments of unadulterated adrenaline."  My guess is that firefighters, cops and ambulance crews could describe their jobs pretty much the same way.

As can corrections officers...

[mmswm]

I guess the main part that was the stupid question was the part of the base firefighters... The base is much smaller than a town, so I always figured they would have way more downtime.  Forgot about base housing nearby though, I guess that would add a fair amount extra calls.



Told you it was a stupid question 

I have a couple of neighbours who are firies and they DO have a fair bit of downtime. They often sleep when they are on nights etc. It's just the nature of the job. The flip side is that they DO have to be very fit so a reasonable amount of their own time is spent training. Also I know one of them was out with friends one day and responded to a nearby fire even though it was his day off. He explained that it is far better to have too many trucks/firefighters than too few so they are expected to all respond if they are in the area.

I guess it's a bit like professional lifesavers. A reasonable amount of time their job involves sitting at a nice beach supervising. Sounds good, but I still wouldn't want - and indeed couldn't do - their job.

I've been a beach lifeguard.  I'd describe the job as "long stretches of extreme boredom punctuated by brief moments of unadulterated adrenaline."  My guess is that firefighters, cops and ambulance crews could describe their jobs pretty much the same way.

As can corrections officers...

I knew there was a job I was forgetting in that list. 

[Mental Magpie]

I've been on my actual job for 2 months now, and I've used my cuffs exactly once.  Why?  The offender was (rightly) aggravated at another officer, but when I gave him the choice of cuffing up or going to his work assignment, he chose to cuff up.  It was very anticlimactic.

[StarFaerie]

  Recently, the neighbors cat ALSO figured out the doggy door, and not only harasses my cat and ears her foods, but also 'lays claim' to anything that's around.  So in the morning my cat now has the option of being in all day or being out all day...

You might try one of the pet doors with an electromagnetic latch.  Kitty wears a small magnet on her collar and that releases the latch on the door.  Non-magnet-wearing kitty (& stray wildlife) can't get in.  Or you can totally geek out and set up a computer controlled pet flap with a digital camera...There used to be a website about a guy who did that to keep out neighbors cats, possums, raccoons, and cats bearing "gifts".  Can't find it now, though.

r

...Ren worked out that the break away collar was easy to get off,  she tajes it off anytime I put it on (okay thats rare since the week she proved I can't make her keep it on). She is microchipped.  We found one of our old cats half hung with a non break away collar, so I won't do that.  Pet shop said they could sell me another/different break away collar, but she would still take it off, most likely...

I wonder if there isn't some way to make an electronic lock work with the chip...

Yes there is

https://petsafeaustralia.com.au/products/pet-doors/microchip-petporte-smart-flap.html

It's a cat door that you "introduce" your microchipped cat/s to and after that it recognises the microchip and only unlocks for them. No collar required, but is is a bit pricey.

[marcel]

  Recently, the neighbors cat ALSO figured out the doggy door, and not only harasses my cat and ears her foods, but also 'lays claim' to anything that's around.  So in the morning my cat now has the option of being in all day or being out all day...

You might try one of the pet doors with an electromagnetic latch.  Kitty wears a small magnet on her collar and that releases the latch on the door.  Non-magnet-wearing kitty (& stray wildlife) can't get in.  Or you can totally geek out and set up a computer controlled pet flap with a digital camera...There used to be a website about a guy who did that to keep out neighbors cats, possums, raccoons, and cats bearing "gifts".  Can't find it now, though.

r

...Ren worked out that the break away collar was easy to get off,  she tajes it off anytime I put it on (okay thats rare since the week she proved I can't make her keep it on). She is microchipped.  We found one of our old cats half hung with a non break away collar, so I won't do that.  Pet shop said they could sell me another/different break away collar, but she would still take it off, most likely...

I wonder if there isn't some way to make an electronic lock work with the chip...

They already exist, just ask for it at your pet store.

[DaisyG]

What do firefighters do? I mean, obviously they fight fires. But stuff isn't always on fire! And you can't train 24/7, can you?

In the UK, as well as fighting fires and dealing with other emergency situations, they train people to be fire wardens and first aiders; do talks for schools and other groups about fire safety and accident prevention in the home; and fit smoke alarms for homes. I only know this as I recently did emergency first aid training with a fire fighter.

[guihong]

I always thought firefighter life was like Emergency!, although Gage and DeSoto were also paramedics and responded to all kinds of calls.  They have to clean the station, maintain equipment, attend training drills, do paperwork, and visit schools and parades. 

DH works for the electric company at a computer console in the control room.  He describes his work as a lot of sitting, sometimes punching keys and talking on the phone-until there's a blackout, or a Katrina-like disaster, and all eHell breaks out.

[Snooks]

  Recently, the neighbors cat ALSO figured out the doggy door, and not only harasses my cat and ears her foods, but also 'lays claim' to anything that's around.  So in the morning my cat now has the option of being in all day or being out all day...

You might try one of the pet doors with an electromagnetic latch.  Kitty wears a small magnet on her collar and that releases the latch on the door.  Non-magnet-wearing kitty (& stray wildlife) can't get in.  Or you can totally geek out and set up a computer controlled pet flap with a digital camera...There used to be a website about a guy who did that to keep out neighbors cats, possums, raccoons, and cats bearing "gifts".  Can't find it now, though.

r

...Ren worked out that the break away collar was easy to get off,  she tajes it off anytime I put it on (okay thats rare since the week she proved I can't make her keep it on). She is microchipped.  We found one of our old cats half hung with a non break away collar, so I won't do that.  Pet shop said they could sell me another/different break away collar, but she would still take it off, most likely...

I wonder if there isn't some way to make an electronic lock work with the chip...

Yes there is

https://petsafeaustralia.com.au/products/pet-doors/microchip-petporte-smart-flap.html

It's a cat door that you "introduce" your microchipped cat/s to and after that it recognises the microchip and only unlocks for them. No collar required, but is is a bit pricey.

If only it would recognise when the cat has bought a present home and refuse to let it in.

[GreenHall]

...

...

r
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...

...
https://petsafeaustralia.com.au/products/pet-doors/microchip-petporte-smart-flap.html

It's a cat door that you "introduce" your microchipped cat/s to and after that it recognises the microchip and only unlocks for them. No collar required, but is is a bit pricey.

If only it would recognise when the cat has bought a present home and refuse to let it in.

...I think adding the 'smart' cat door will have to go on the 'when i win the lottery' list, or at least when disposable income is you know, in existance.

Snooks, mine just brings in toys, not presents.  I think she's figured out that I am an ungracious present receiver 
I think she likes having the corral effect of the house...She got her name (Renfield) from the bugs, lizards, snakes, etc she would eat.  I was dealing, then she moved on to warm blooded. Color change since could be squicky  At least she ate the bird.  The voles she plays with, then leaves once they are no longer moving.  Then I hunt for the putrification source...

[RingTailedLemur]

  Recently, the neighbors cat ALSO figured out the doggy door, and not only harasses my cat and ears her foods, but also 'lays claim' to anything that's around.  So in the morning my cat now has the option of being in all day or being out all day...

You might try one of the pet doors with an electromagnetic latch.  Kitty wears a small magnet on her collar and that releases the latch on the door.  Non-magnet-wearing kitty (& stray wildlife) can't get in.  Or you can totally geek out and set up a computer controlled pet flap with a digital camera...There used to be a website about a guy who did that to keep out neighbors cats, possums, raccoons, and cats bearing "gifts".  Can't find it now, though.

r

...Ren worked out that the break away collar was easy to get off,  she tajes it off anytime I put it on (okay thats rare since the week she proved I can't make her keep it on). She is microchipped.  We found one of our old cats half hung with a non break away collar, so I won't do that.  Pet shop said they could sell me another/different break away collar, but she would still take it off, most likely...

I wonder if there isn't some way to make an electronic lock work with the chip...

Yes there is

https://petsafeaustralia.com.au/products/pet-doors/microchip-petporte-smart-flap.html

It's a cat door that you "introduce" your microchipped cat/s to and after that it recognises the microchip and only unlocks for them. No collar required, but is is a bit pricey.

If only it would recognise when the cat has bought a present home and refuse to let it in.

The "Flo Control" system does, but I don't know if it is commercially available.  It uses image-recognition software and keeps the flap locked if the cat is carrying something in its mouth.

[Thipu1]

What do firefighters do? I mean, obviously they fight fires. But stuff isn't always on fire! And you can't train 24/7, can you?

In the UK, as well as fighting fires and dealing with other emergency situations, they train people to be fire wardens and first aiders; do talks for schools and other groups about fire safety and accident prevention in the home; and fit smoke alarms for homes. I only know this as I recently did emergency first aid training with a fire fighter.

It's similar in NYC.  Firefighters do everything mentioned above.  They also make periodic inspections of apartment buildings.

Fire houses also receive donations for things like food pantries, winter coat drives and toy drives. 

To make sure everything works well, the trucks are also taken out for a brief run every day.  Usually, the trucks are making a food run.  Firehouse recipes are famous in NYC.  That's probably the fun part of being a Firefighter.

  Most important, when a 911 call comes in that requires an ambulance, the ambulance will come
from the Fire department. 

All in all, there's plenty for a Firefighter to do in 'down time'. 

[twiggy]

What do firefighters do? I mean, obviously they fight fires. But stuff isn't always on fire! And you can't train 24/7, can you?


We had an in-flight emergency the other day, and firefighters are required to respond. While we were waiting for the all clear, all of us in the end of runway group realized that we don't know what firefighters do when not responding to ground emergencies/fires.

Where I live, they also do tours of the firehouse. The only requirement is that you have to have a minimum of 6 kids, but it doesn't have to be an organization. A couple friends and I set up a firehouse tour as a playdate. The firefights gave the kids a basic lecture on fire safety, they got to check out the truck, and got a tour of the station. We had to clear out in a hurry though bc they got a call. We weren't even to the parking lot when the firetruck was pulling onto the street.

When I was 14ish, I wiped out on my bike and blacked out for a minute. A police officer happened to be driving by, so he checked on me, and the firefighters came because they're EMTs/first responders. Since I was a minor, once the official types took charge of me, they had to release me to either the hospital or my parent. So I got to hang out at the fire station for an hour, waiting for Mom. The firefighters gave me ice cream, and we watched Jerry Springer. They even fixed my bike (I had crashed because the handlebars were loose)

[ladyknight1]

Our firefighters also act as a "Safe Place" where parents in crisis can surrender infants under 30 days old. They also take in medical waste from diabetics and other people who use syringes.

In my county, firefighters transport people to the hospital.