All our stations are locked 24/7. Main station has an office that is open to the public to sign up for classes, etc during normal business hours, but others are never “open”. (ok, I can’t swear by that as there are two more stations that merged) They take walk-in’s, especially my husbands last station, but those walk-ins do not just walk right in. They are stand out front and ring a doorbell. There is a very quick open assessment that happens and the ability to call the cops if needed. Yes, it’s been needed at times. Our main station is open during business hours because there is admin staff dedicated to do so.
My husbands last station was in an area that shouldn’t be open to everyone. I’ve had the guys come out when they’ve heard me click hubbies truck alarm if I’m dropping something off and I know he’s out on a rig lol Yeah, not best spot in the world. But they will answer the walk-in doorbell any time day or night (that they are actually there) and I think it’s the only station that gets the dropins! His new station isn’t around as much residential and definitely in a different demographic. It will be interesting to see a comparison because he is at the headquarters station.
But WHO does a walk up? Who is “stupid” (hate using that word) enough to HOPE the fire/medic’s are not on a call and are at the station when they need them? I can’t believe how many have no clue and will stop by. I guess most people really think that the firehouse stays awake for 24 hours while on shift. It amazes me that they truly do think that these guys don’t sleep. I think that’s a whole new post right there.
Really, you are taking your life into your hands by knocking on the firehouse door. They are probably on a call and another station needs to be notified. I know hubby is moving to the headquarters station and will miss the crazy house. It’s not far from our house so it’s where many of his volunteer calls have been and we also grew up with friends living around here. Headquarters isn’t super far away either, but we’re talking about the difference between my jogging by the station and not lol
Private security is key. I hate to think of the doors being open at any of our stations. I knock on the door, text someone working or am walked in by my fav admin staff. I’m super ok with it. Ok, more than ok, I like the attention, whatevah. I want all of them safe at all times; admin, hubby, firefighters, their all my family! It’s all the same.
I am in awe that any station has an open door policy no matter the time of day. Hubby was volunteer for 6 years before getting hired on and the only time our office was open door was because it was during business hours. Many times it was still locked because only the secretary was there and that’s not safe either.
It worries me that any station has an open door(s) policy. For the department thefts that can occur and just for bodily security in general. Over the last 11 years if I drive past the station and see the door open it takes a lot of will power for me not to back up on the busy road and go in and close the door. Could be because it rarely happens, but still, it’s happened! I have many friends that don’t lock their doors at home and I think they are crazy. But for a workplace to not lock their doors at all times they are unoccupied is just stupid. I want everyone’s safety to be first and assuming that no one will mess with the firehouse is not safe thinking.
Twitter: FireMom
says:
Realize that some places are very different than other places. In summer, our barn doors are wide open through bedtime. In the previous village in which we lived, people left their cars running (with keys in them, obviously) when they ran into the gas station convenience store. This is Small Town America. We lock our doors (mainly due to our crazy neighbor) but I understand why some don’t. My parents don’t; but then again, they live on a farm.
It’s true, small town is “different”. I have many neighbors that don’t lock doors. However, crazy people and people on drugs are no different in the city or the country. I believe being safe is about prevention, not putting policies in place after an incident.