Our department is unique in that we are paid when we respond to calls, but we decide if we are available for such calls. When a call comes in we travel to the station to pick up the needed apparatus. From that point we are compensated for the time we are on that specific call.
Full-time departments staff shifts and check the rig before the shift starts. We do not have that luxury. Vehicles must be staged in readiness at all times so the next operator can leave the bay.
This supplement is the walk-around and staging rule referenced from SOG §10 Fire Trucks.