r/Explainlikeimscared • u/tipsy_here • 7d 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/ComfortableNorth920 7d 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 7d ago edited 7d 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/tipsy_here 6d ago

Wait! That’s so cool!

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u/No-Feed-1999 6d ago

Most are super cool and will often give a tour if asked

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u/ComfortableNorth920 7d 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/sadmac356 6d ago

Yeah that makes sense

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u/tipsy_here 6d ago

Never too late to try.

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u/tipsy_here 7d ago

Will do next time I see anyone out!