Fire service, EMS, rescue good luck charms, signs of bad luck, superstitions and traditions

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Permalink Reply by Arkymedic on February 2, 2008 at 2:43pm

I believe that if the pillow case on the stretcher is open towards the head its a "code pillow". Open to the head, fellow's dead.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Betz on February 2, 2008 at 3:17pm

My daughter made me a small beaded good luck charm with a clasp on it when she was small. I've had it on my gear coat ever since. Its about 4 inches long or so, and getting kind of beat up, but still there and she's almost 19 now. It hangs clipped to a hook inside my coat on the upper left side, right by my heart. She didn't realize it at 6 years old how much it would mean to me, but I think it might be one of the best gifts she has ever given me.

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Permalink Reply by D.C. Sterbenz on February 2, 2008 at 3:21pm

I wear a St Florian charm around my neck and a firefighters prayer coin in my bunker coat. My wife also carries the same coin in her purse.

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Permalink Reply by ILDisasterEMT on February 2, 2008 at 3:51pm

I don't know if there is a patron Saint of EMTs but I carry an EMS prayer coin. If anyone knows of a EMS patron saint, Id love to know about it.

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Permalink Reply by R. Mellen on February 2, 2008 at 5:42pm

I keep a card of St. Lawrence, the namesake of my Confirmation (I'm Catholic), in my turnout coat pocket. St. Lawrence was martyred, burned alive on a grill. His last words were "You can turn me over, I'm done on this side."

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Permalink Reply by Mick Mayers on February 2, 2008 at 6:07pm

That's good.

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Permalink Reply by chris liles on February 2, 2008 at 6:01pm

its really stupid but every time i buy something new for the fire dept. like shirts or a helmet we have a fire/MVA i know stupid but hey its true

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Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on February 2, 2008 at 11:20pm

Thats NOT stupid Chris.. I've never recieved a new pair of gloves, boots Bunker pants , Coat etc without breaking em in.. I was the last member (regular line member) to get Bunker pants back in the Day, the East side chief rather then my own chief on the west side delivered them,and Told me HERE Put em On duty NOW, as I put one leg on the boot there was an east side Box 1603 hours well, put it this way, That Night NO one ate supper on the entire Job ..lol

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Permalink Reply by scott on February 2, 2008 at 6:36pm

Superstitions: I worked many years with a medic who was a firm believer that if we took our duty boots off before 11pm we would run all night. 17 years later i still follow that same theory.
Good luck charms: On my helmet band is a cross with a flag draped around it. I have carry it on my helmet for almost 15 years. Several different jobs and i make sure it stays with me. It has seen many good "jobs" and we have made it through all of them.

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Permalink Reply by Arkymedic on February 3, 2008 at 9:56pm

I believe this superstition about taking boots off or going to bed early too Scott.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hayden on February 2, 2008 at 8:30pm

The guys at my department think that polishing your boots is a sure way to bring about a house fire.

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Permalink Reply by Bill D on February 2, 2008 at 9:59pm

Same here I've got two trying to jinx us now.

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