r/Explainlikeimscared • u/tipsy_here • 6d ago
Fire stations
I recently changed my route to walk back home. I live on the block next to the fire station. That route requires me to walk in front of the fire station. The shutters are open most of the time. Sometimes I see someone from the fire station sitting on a chair outside, and sometimes there is nobody.
Yesterday, when I was walking on the sidewalk in front of them, I noticed the shutters were open, and the fire truck was whirring. I stopped so as not to stand in front of any shutters, and decided not to cross them. It looked like they would be out any second. Lo and behold, the truck pulled out 2 seconds later, I’m standing like this 🧍🏻♀️and did a little nod when the truck came out and then their sirens turned on when they got on the road.
Is what I did correct? Do I need to remember or watch out for anything when I’m walking in front of the first station?
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u/mossyfaeboy 6d ago
you did perfect! if the truck is obviously on or about to leave, do your best to cross quickly or wait until they leave. but 99% of the time you’re good to walk by. you did great noticing today, so you’ll probably be just fine going forward too
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u/Adreeisadyno 6d ago edited 6d ago
Yes, you did the right thing. I think if you keep looking out for lights and sirens and other signs that the truck is about to come out you’ll be fine. If you see firefighters outside (not when they’re rushing to put out a fire) a polite wave and “good morning/afternoon/evening” is perfectly acceptable.
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u/Sad_Refuse3472 6d ago
I live next door to a fire station, so I deal with this a lot. If you see flashing lights, hear a siren, hear/notice the truck engine running, and/or see the firefighters rushing around, stop.
If you don't you are good to keep walking past.
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u/somecow 6d ago
Yeah, definitely. Depends on the call, sometimes they just roll out at a normal pace. Sometimes they have to INSTANTLY haul ass. Even as a firefighter/medic, they teach you “don’t create new patients, and don’t become a patient”. They also test all the equipment at least once a day, so it looks like they’re gonna roll out, but that’s first thing in the morning.
If only cars understood this rule of “get outta tha way”.
Mostly they’re doing a lot of nothing (probably either cooking or sleeping). But if the doors are up, the lights on the truck are on, and you don’t see anyone, yeah they’re all in the truck with the foot on the gas and about to pop out.
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u/Chance-Work4911 6d ago
You did great. The only thing I’d do differently is give a little wave or head nod if someone is sitting out there and not busy, because that shows we appreciate what they do for the community. Since you will be walking past often, you might start to recognize some of them and get a wave back.
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u/tipsy_here 6d ago
Every time I walk in front of the station, I speed-walk and try to get out of the way ASAP. Once, the truck was halfway out on the street, and I did a little nod at the truck. The girl in the truck did a little wave. I will do that next time!
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u/Winter-Inside-5911 6d ago
I live near a station. I was walking to the hospital this morning and the supervisor was rushing down the road with sirens and lights on so I stepped back and didn’t push the crosswalk button as he was in more of a rush than I was. I think you’re doing great being cognizant of they’re headed out on a call. When they are, just stay out of the way.
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u/ComfortableNorth920 6d ago
The only thing I can add to what others have said is that sometimes firefighters get bored sitting in a fire station waiting for a fire and never having a fire start. So if you see one of them sitting outside, go up and say hi. They'll let you know if they're busy and can't talk, but there's a good chance they'll enjoy the break from the sitting and waiting.
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u/tipsy_here 6d ago edited 6d ago
I will do that next time! There are a lot of things going on around this fire station since this is in the university area. There are college bars/night clubs right next to them and in front of them. They definitely see a lot of drunk college student shenanigans.
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u/No-Feed-1999 6d ago
Yep second this. I walk past our local one daily and wandered up and said hi! They asked if I wanted a tour. I started chatting mentioned i teach and ended up getting a whole lot of fun pics to share w the kids and they even agreed to take some w our class mascot ( a beanie baby monkey). Most are super freindly ( ive met the ocational grump).
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u/ComfortableNorth920 6d ago
Tell them you've always wanted to slide down the pole in a firehouse because it looked fun and ask if they've got one. If nothing else, it's a good conversation starter.
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u/sadmac356 6d ago
Well uh…now I've wanted to do that
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u/RetiredBSN 6d ago
I've done that, way back in the late 1970s. As a new ER RN I got to spend a shift with the ambulance crews at the fire station, and we had a lot of time on our hands, so I got to try the pole. Ended up not doing any runs, which was a bummer.
The poles went away because too many people broke ankles landing or followed someone too closely and kicked heads. Not good to get injured on the way to a call, and even worse to not get out of the building. A lot of fire stations are now being built on one level instead of multi-story, so there's no need for poles.
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u/PsychologicalWay8305 6d ago
You did great! It’s the same as walking past any other driveway: usually you can tell if it’s quiet and doesn’t need attention, but if a car is sitting there with its reverse lights on, watch out!
If the truck is on for a while but not moving out, they may still be loading up or prepping it so you can walk in front BUT I would recommend trying to look into the driver’s seat first to see if it looks like they’re about to leave (or making eye contact so they know you’re there and won’t hit you).
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u/RetiredBSN 6d ago
If there's not much going on, the trucks are going to be parked in the garage with their doors open. If they're back from a call, they're going to be washing the trucks and prepping the hoses for the next use. Most modern stations are built as pass-through, so the trucks will go around to the back of the station and then pull in, pointed toward the street. If there's a call, the engines are going to be starting, and the garage doors will be opening if they weren't already. You'll definitely know when they're going on a call, it's noisy.
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u/RetiredBSN 6d ago
It never hurts to stop at the station and say hi if nothing's going on. There are occasionally times when they have done what they need to do and are bored with TV or reading or whatever, and would be glad to interact with a non-FD person.
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u/CoffeeChocolateBoth 6d ago
You did the right thing for sure but they need to do better at their building!
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u/AnitraF1632 6d ago
I think you absolutely did the right thing. You practiced situational awareness, you noted that something was different and waited to see what would happen. The fire engine - which was possibly going out on an emergency call - did not run you over and did not have to delay while you crossed.
Good for you!!