Learning the streets

Being a probie, no one is about to give you the keys to the BRT (big red truck) and let you flip on the lights and sirens and race around town. That doesn't mean you can't start learning your area in preparation for when that time comes. It is possible that the first time you get to drive will be because your needed too get somewhere and fast. By then it'll be to late to try to learn the best route. If your brand new you don't need to cram all that info into your head ASAP, but there are a few things you can be doing now that'll give you that extra edge when the time does near.

First of all pay attention to where you are when your running calls, look at street signs, notice what way your experienced chauffeur goes to get to certain parts of town. Obviously if your going to the scene you may be needing to focus on what you need to do to be ready for arrival, but certainly on the way back to the station you have time to look at street signs.

When your at the station and you hear a call go out for another company, go to the map and see where they are going. Try to think about how you would get there from your station. If your station doesn't have a map, which is probably unlikely ask about getting one. Not only will you have a map, but probably score some bonus points for showing some initiative. Just remember your the probie so you may catch a little jabs for it. You can also take a few minutes everyday and browse the map just to get familiar with the streets.

If your truly motivated take some time off duty and drive your territory. Of course be careful, as firefighters we may be asked to go to the bad parts of town. Driving around in your POV is much different then showing up in those parts with the BRT a team of guys with axes and sledges in hand.

Driving probably isn't something you will do for a little while but it never hurts to prepare yourself for the future. This of course can pretty much be applied to all aspects of your career. If your not preparing to advance your career now you'll have a lot of catching up to do when the time comes, and you may look around and realize all the probies you came in with are now giving you orders to go clean the bathrooms.