Why did you become a firefighter/EMT?

[mwm023]

Hi, I've been going back and fourth trying to decide if I should persue a firefighter/emt career. What made you decide this was the job for you and how did you come to this conclusion? What have been the pro's/con's of the career and would you choose to do it all over again? How is the lifestyle such as schedules and it's relationship in regards to your family/friends? How is the pay and the lifestyle which comes with this profession? thanks, Mike

[pfd4life]

Hi, I've been going back and fourth trying to decide if I should persue a firefighter/emt career. What made you decide this was the job for you and how did you come to this conclusion? What have been the pro's/con's of the career and would you choose to do it all over again? How is the lifestyle such as schedules and it's relationship in regards to your family/friends? How is the pay and the lifestyle which comes with this profession? thanks, Mike

The pay sucks, the food is decent if not great, don't plan on sleeping, your family will hate you, break up with your girlfriend now, or divorce your wife before she gets half of your pension........but you do get do break things, haul *** through a city with lights and sirens blaring, you get to go home dirty, stinky and wet, bust your *** at o' dark thirty after be woken from a dream you'll never finish about Playboy bunnies and a trampoline and if your lucky, perhaps someone will say thanks. In all reality....I'd never do anything again. Though I am not a career FD guy, career EMS for now, pay or no pay...it doesn't matter it's the greatest job on the face of the planet.

[hwoods]

Depending on where you are, try being a Volunteer and see how you like it, then go from there. Here, where I am, many career Firefighters start as Volunteers, then move to full time. Also, the reason I started as a Firefighter is that they would not let me start as a Chief.

[ADSNWFLD]

I would do it again. I wish I would have finished school 1st. working and going to school was a pain. If I was starting fresh I would have considered the military just out of High School. Those points help a lot for hire and promotion, not to mention the lessons learned from the military.
You can always tell the guys that were in the service vs the kid that was just an explorer, jr. etc.
I'd take a guy from the service any day.
My wife met me after I was on the job, so that hasn't been so bad
I can't see myself working 9 to 5 again, when a chief position looks good we'll see. I was a chief administrator for a volunteer agency and it bites, way more political BS then worth being "in charge"
On the schedule, I love being off on week days, I take my daughter to the pool, zoo, playground, mall, museum, etc. I would be missing so much if I only saw her nights and weekends.

Again great career, I wouldn't trade it for the world, Oh got to go we are headed for the pool.

[Chief2701]

. Also, the reason I started as a Firefighter is that they would not let me start as a Chief.

now that's funny..thanks for the smile

[CALFFBOU]

You could do a search on this one...

[BFDNJFF]

I was asked to be one.

[courage44]

because I want to drive the firetruck.

[firetruckred]

The pay sucks, the food is decent if not great, don't plan on sleeping, your family will hate you, break up with your girlfriend now, or divorce your wife before she gets half of your pension........but you do get do break things, haul *** through a city with lights and sirens blaring, you get to go home dirty, stinky and wet, bust your *** at o' dark thirty after be woken from a dream you'll never finish about Playboy bunnies and a trampoline and if your lucky, perhaps someone will say thanks. In all reality....I'd never do anything again. Though I am not a career FD guy, career EMS for now, pay or no pay...it doesn't matter it's the greatest job on the face of the planet.

That is just hysterical, but the truth. (in my opinion)

Raw and real. What other way is there to be than direct and to the point. LOL

Though we must sometimes deliver a message with tact this way seems to work better in the Fire Service. Get down business, quick! No sugar coating allowed. I love it!

But seriously folks, I just want to be a part of something that is honorable. Something I am be proud of. Though having a nice big meal cooked once or twice a week and the big screen TV with several recliners to choose from is great that is not the reason to join. LOL.

[nozzelvfd]

My dad changed my diaper on the back of an Athens Fox.

[BD6413]

If you plan on getting rich STOP !

This isn't the career for you if money is what you're after.

I decided to enter the Fire Service as a career after family footsteps of both my uncle and grand-father. After visiting them at work as a young boy I thought wow...doing this looks pretty cool. Jonny Gage and Roy DeSoto also helped in the process. Growing up during the 'EMERGENCY' era basically sealed the deal for me. It took another 13 years after High-School to be hired on a Combination Volunteer/ Career Department {Hired as the 2nd. Shift Driver and Duty EMT working alone Monday through Friday from 1600-2400} My salary then was just under $25,000.00 a year. Married 5 years with a 3 year old son at home made making ends tough at times but we managed.

I've since transferred, working straight Days {0600-1800} on a rotating schedule, a more comfortable salary {Still not Wall Street Fiqures} but sometimes money isn't everything to a person that got a chance to live his dream. Plus the O.T. and Comp. Time can't be beat. Being a firefighter is a career that you have to have a passion for, a love for, and a respect for.

I wouldn't do anything else........But you have to be the judge. Like already mentioned the pay usually sucks, the food is pretty good if your crew can cook. You'll learn Janitorial skills that could come in handy if you were ever laid off......Seriously though I live by a quote told to me as a young volunteer years ago........."If you decide to pursue Firefighting as a career remember to always be a student to the occupation......You'll never stop learning"

[CALFFBOU]

Like I said, I became a Firefighter to get the chicks.

[pkfd7505]

Like I said, I became a Firefighter to get the chicks. This is Engineer Bou circa 1996.

Ummm Did that come with the truck or was that added at a later date?

[hwoods]

Ummm Did that come with the truck or was that added at a later date?

THAT is MiniMe in Drag...................

[millerman]

The Q... that's all.

[Firefighter1219]

Becuase I felt like it.

[CALFFBOU]

I dont know if you can tell in that picture, but that woman is definately "enhanced".

[pfd4life]

That is just hysterical, but the truth. (in my opinion)

Raw and real. What other way is there to be than direct and to the point. LOL

Though we must sometimes deliver a message with tact this way seems to work better in the Fire Service. Get down business, quick! No sugar coating allowed. I love it!

But seriously folks, I just want to be a part of something that is honorable. Something I am be proud of. Though having a nice big meal cooked once or twice a week and the big screen TV with several recliners to choose from is great that is not the reason to join. LOL.

I try to make it very clear to newbies, who think they are going to save the world, that this job is not what hollywood makes it to be. But as you said, it's nice to have a warm recliner and some hot food twice a week.

pkfd, didn't Pierce tell you that's how they sell so many rigs?

[pkfd7505]

THAT is MiniMe in Drag...................

ROFLOL!!! I bet I know why Bou was sitting.

[pkfd7505]

pkfd, didn't Pierce tell you that's how they sell so many rigs?

But I bet the cost of all that silicon is hidden somewhere in those bids.