[gogeter5]

Hello there folks:

I just found this website pretty recently and was really excited that it is out there. At this point Im about mid-way through my fire fighter academy and have no previous experience in the field. Things are going well, there are three other women and we are all ages and experience levels.

Im having a really difficult time at figuring out how to communicate with some of the guys. A lot of the hands on learning that we are doing is in the form of competition, which is cool, I can get into that. But, there is nothing that makes me more upset than when my male classmates and I are competing together, they finish what they are doing and then basically push me out of the way so that they can finish what I was working on.

I guess they think its helping? I'm not sure. I know that I wouldn't do that to anybody unless they asked me to. The last time this happened I got really upset and tried to address the issue with my classmate but I didn't really feel like I got my point across very clearly. I would appreciate hearing how others have dealt with similar situations surrounding communication. And I'd also be interested in hearing about others experiences with rookie school. Tips for the David Dodson, state tests, etc.

[Bombera5522]

I dont know what situations their pushing you out of or what they are saying to you after the drill. I am only assuming that they are just trying to help you because you are all a team. On the fireground once you are done your assignment you help everyone else, you dont just sit and wait for someone to get hurt. You have to work together. But if you feel that they are just not letting you do your job because your not fast enough for them, try to practice more often. I cant really say how to handle it, it depends on what it is. Tying knots or something not life threatening tell them to back off your trying to learn. No matter whats going on you will get better with practice and time dont stress it. But you do your part the best you can. And communication should be to the point, to many words throws them off..LOL. Just kidding. Be direct its better that way. Good luck
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