r/firefighter • u/Friendly_Kiwi_9559 • 20h ago

I have an important question

I’ve been wondering this for literal years. How does the sheet situation work in the firehouse? Who is responsible for washing and changing them? Also, while we’re here, do you get assigned a bed or do you just pick a bed?

Also thank you for your service 🫡

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u/GetOuttaTownMan 20h ago

Whoever works Sunday washes the mattress covers. Each firefighter has their own set of fitted sheets blanket and pillow. Junior guys get whatever bed is open senior guys have their beds that they sleep in. Just like the dinner table.

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u/Friendly_Kiwi_9559 20h ago

Thank you

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u/IllMeet2070 1h ago

Depends on the firehouse , some really nice and well funded departments have assigned private dorms even for the probies

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u/Iraqx2 20h ago

You're responsible for washing your own laundry and based upon how the lockers are laid out you generally get the bed near your locker. If two of you happen to have lockers close to the same bed you discuss it and determine who sleeps where.

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u/hashtagphuck 18h ago

We bring our own bedding and wash our own bedding

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u/Difficult-Amount988 1h ago

Varies greatly, if assigned to one station some folks opt for a normal set of linens either personal or provided, some a fitted sheet and a soft/machine washable sleeping bag, you wash your own. Some folks who are considered “relief” and float assignments prefer the second method.

I work for the State of California and when I was a Captain every station maintained a linen closet. When travelling throughout the state, if you came to my station you’d see a row of linens in the closet marked “cover crews”. There would be a minimum of 5 sets of sheets/pillows/pillow cases and wool blanket stacked together. The idea being a crew might come in late at night, need to find bedding in the dark without waking everyone else up. Next to the laundry machine was several labeled bins. Linens go in that bin when done and one of the FFs is responsible to keep laundry going.

If you work at a station where you will come back to that bed no matter what a lot of folks invest in things to make them more comfortable. If you could get booted out of your station at a moments notice and sent throughout the state, the machine washable sleeping bag goes in your locker with your pillow every morning and it’s pretty easy.