Night Call Prep

One thing for sure that we can count on in the volunteer fire service is that we will be awakened in the middle of the night by our pager for some type of call. We usually make the decision that we will respond to any call before we go to bed. When you go to bed what preparations do you make to respond quickly to a call?

I will share mine with you and then our mutual sharing may help someone else respond more quickly. When I go to bed at night I have a routine. The car is in the garage and the keys are in it. The portable radio, hopefully, has a fresh battery in it and one in the charger. I keep those in the garage near the car. The pager is on the bedside table; the cell phone is there too with the charger plugged in. I have my winter hat, gloves and coat hanging by the garage door. My responding clothes for the night sit on the rocking chair in the bedroom in a specific order; pants on bottom, shirt, sweatshirt next, and lastly the socks on top. That way I can get dressed quickly (even in the dark) and head right for the car.

What is your routine and do you practice it every night? Let me know.

Posted by Chief Mark Havener 2-18-08

4 Comments

My routine is as follows. When I go to bed, I put my pager next to the bed so that I hear it. Then I set out a pair of pants with a belt in place so I don’t have to worry about that when I get up. I set my socks next to the pants and my boots are next to the door. If I don’t have time to put on my boots, I use some slip-on shoes to make it easier. Of course, my keys are already in my pocket so I don’t have to worry about that.

Posted by Justin, POFD 3 Junior Firefighter 2-28-08

Ah yes, "gun-decking" for those a.m. calls…I have been able to practice my planning here of late. I have to say that my plan is similar to the Chief’s. Now there are times that pre-planning does not always turn out as well has you would hope. Years ago in a fire district that seems far, far, away (just because of so many changes and events since this) a mighty responder came. This person was a "Johnny on-the-spot" responder. If the tone went out they were coming. Any who, they responded to one of these infamous a.m. calls, but something about them just wasn't quite right. It could have been the fact that their pants were on backwards, hmmm maybe. It was one of those things that they just couldn't explain...he-he. They had a ritual for the night also and the responder followed it as planned, almost. The morale of the story is, it is good to pre-plan but make sure that things go "according as planned".

Posted by Alex POFD3 2-26-08

My routine starts as soon as I get home in the wintertime. I cover my truck with a tarp as it will not fit in the garage. I use the tarp to keep the snow and frost off the windows and light bar. When I set up for the night, I put my pager on the nightstand next to me along with my cell phone and radio. My clothes go into my walk-in closet so I do not have to get dressed in the dark. I have my pants on the bottom with my belt, wallet, watch and my truck keys still in them. On top is my sweatshirt, next my shirt and lastly my socks. I leave my boots by the back door along with my coat. In my coat pockets I leave a stocking hat and a pair of gloves. I find if I group my stuff together and put it in the same place every time, I get out the door much quicker.

Posted by Steve Scott-POFD4 Operations Captain 2-21-08

My preparation for nighttime calls is close to Mark's. Pager on my nightstand, I have my cloths sitting on the floor next to the bed. My socks are on top, then my shirt, then pants. My shoes are always next to the garage door located next to the stand where my radio is located. I turn the radio on right away to listen for other communication to see who is responding and any other radio traffic that might be important to the call. My keys are left in my truck in the garage. My EMS jumpsuit is hanging next to my shoes, as it will be the last thing put on before my shoes/boots. I only have to remember two or three things…grab my cell, turn OFF the alarm, and then turn it back on WITHOUT the motion sensor and not on instant alarm. (This is from experience.) Walking back in the house when I don’t set the alarm right wakes EVERYONE up including the neighbors...word to all who have one.

Posted by D. Keck-POFD3 Training Officer 2-21-08

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