Smoke Diver Terminology

Animal Night: 

A special instructor meeting held on Thursday night usually at an establishment serving contaminated liquids.  The topic of discussion is usually “the firefighter effects of substance abuse.”  These meetings build instructor unit integrity.

Arch Bishop:                      

Oldest Smoke Diver instructor.

Bishop:                               

Old Smoke Diver instructor.  

Boot:                                   

A real firefighter boot used as a ceremonial beer container to be passed around and drank from at special events.  Also, the name of the Georgia Smoke Diver Newsletter. 

Brother:                              

Fellow Smoke Diver having completed all requirements for the course. 

Cod:                                    

A term of endearment similar to calling someone a brother, nickname for other Smoke Divers. 

Creed:                               

see Smoke Diver Creed.

Deacon:                          

Lead Instructor. 

DOR:                                  

Dismissed-on-Request. 

FIDO:                                

Official Smoke Diver mascot and motto. 

FNG:                                  

Forkin New Guy, new Smoke Diver. 

Graduation:                        

The gathering and entertainment immediately following the completion of the course. 

Holy Grail:                          

A bolt, nut and a variation of washers found at different location in a zero visibility smoke filled structure by completing a through search pattern.  A student must assemble the pieces in order and exit the building.  Once this objective is met the candidate is declared a Smoke Diver.  

Instructor:                            

A Smoke Diver who has met all the requirements of the Smoke Diver internship and is qualified to teach parts or all of the Smoke Diver Course. 

Intern:                                  

A Smoke Diver who is working to gain instructor status. 

Laps:                                  

A jog of specific distance that is completed in the P.T. gear of the day. Laps are usually assigned to candidates as corrective action for a mistake made during the day. 

Patch (rocker):                                 

A dark blue or black rocker with gold trim inscribed “Ga. Smoke Diver”. 

Pretty In Pink Award:        

A completely preserved piece of pizza that naturally formed into an interesting shape, given to the student that experienced the most embarrassing moment during the class. The award winner is required to add something to the pizza and bring it back to the next class. 

Skull Award:                       

Oldest Smoke Diver award.  It is given to the student who struggled through the entire course but showed the most determination.  The recipient is required to add something to the trophy and bring it back to be passed along at the next class. The trophy was created from an animal skull that was found in the burn building at Southern Tech and presented to S.D. Danny Dixon.  Over the years many interesting items have been added including a trophy base, snake rattlers, smoke diver panties, and a raccoon part. 

Smoke Daddy:                  

The lead Smoke Diver Instructor.  Up to 2005 There have been four Smoke Daddy’s listed in order: Cortez Lawernce S.D. #1, Rob Fowler S.D. #2, John McGlaughlin S.D. #9, Scott Millsap S.D. #25.  In September of 2005, David Rhodes was appointed the fifth Smoke Daddy by the Board of Elders. 

Smoke Diver:                    

An individual highly trained in the use of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus having completed a course of hands on study in motivation, tactics, strategies in self rescue, team rescue, confidence, and advanced firefighting known as the Georgia Smoke Diver program. 

Stomp Sandwich:              

House specialty usually served on Wednesday during 5 evolutions. 

The Good Word:              

Smoke Diver. 

T-Shirt:                                

A badge of courage, black t-shirt with the Smoke Diver logo only to be worn by those who have completed the Georgia Smoke Divers course. 

Wallyhead:                         

Student who is always screwing up and shows no sign of improvement.