BET’s “First In”: Memoirs Of A Rookie

Article written by: Andre Sanchez
Posted on: November 1, 2009

Episode 3: Chain of Command

This episode is a shorter one than the previous two; maybe it was because that long winded Steve Harvey special went on and on and didn’t seem like it was gonna end! There’s a little bit here to recap, and then something extra for you guys :)

In this episode, there’s a traffic collision and a sheared hydrant, which is making water gush out everywhere. Fire crews arrive on scene and guess who has to walk in the water and fix it? The rookie, AKA the probie. We never even get to see his name!

Then there’s another Probie, who calls in sick. Name is Marcus Wilson. Of course the veterans give him hell about it, but he’s in bed and they’re not! Though he claims “he didn’t want to call in sick today.” Sure about that, Marcus? You look kinda comfortable there, homie.

There were a couple emergencies in this episode, but nothing really “big” to write home (or to you) about: feel free to watch it here in it’s entirety though.

I mentioned to you guys earlier that I was a firefighter a few years ago. Well, this particular episode of “First In” is very accurate in how they treat rookies. They usually treat them like crap. While this is a part of any growing up process in the fire service in terms of the chain of command, my experience was somewhat close to these poor guys; except I didn’t live in foo-foo rich Brentwood, and though I took on menial tasks, I didn’t take people’s crap. Unlike the Compton staff, there were a few meatheads on the staff I had to see almost everyday.

There was the Chief, Avery. Overall cool guy, he also served as a Sheriff, which of course is major loser points because…he’s a cop, duh (and a black man, how does that work?! KRS-One’s “Black Cop” comes to mind..) Pretty friendly guy, but if he got upset at something…not a pretty picture. This guy had to hurdle a lot of fences and kiss a lot of butt to get where he is today, and I guess if you are an understanding Uncle Tom yourself, this makes sense.

Then there was Assistant Chief Bruce: He was awesome. Not a bad thing to say about the guy! Had a bad marriage though; hope the custody thing is working out okay for him.

Assistant Chief Brian: This guy, oh this guy…the most self righteous midget of a man I’ve grown to ever know and he never grew to ever be! Funny thing was watching him worship Avery’s every move though; he reminded me of an older Napoleon Bonaparte, except…well, he won’t be remembered for anything!

The captains and lieutenants were all punks, especially one guy named J.R, who no one on the fire squad really liked at all.  He thought he was all that, and could do things his way. Don’t you hate folks like that, reader?

Anyways, if you are working a 9-5 and hate it, or know someone at your job who is a complete douche bag, here is your place to vent and share your stories! Let’s hear ‘em!