14 years as a professional firefighter/paramedic. Work 20 minutes from big city on a military base.
Best job I’ve ever had
Worked 20 years in construction as a journeyman carpenter and scaffolder and decided I needed a new career
We have a great shift schedule which allows me time to trap and other things

24 hour shifts

Work 24 hours
Off 24 hours
Work 24 hours
Off 5 -24 hour days

8 day rotation forever

Be interesting to know other firefighters shift schedule

25 years as volunteer fire chief, 15 years ambulance squad leader, still a member just not as active. Turned the reins over to the the young studs.

My brother was a firefighter in the Coast guard. Scary. You either beat the fire or end up in the ocean wearing a PFD. No place to retreat to.

28 years, on a volunteer fire Department, so you know on a small department you do everything. Ended up as the Safety Officer. Retired at 70 years old.

Great paid work if you can get it. My FD is a combination of paid and volley. Good size city (100k) 350 members total , 150 pieces of apparatus , 18+ companies/squads not including EMS.

10 years EMT. Got out of it because of small town politics.

42 season wild land Fire Lookout. Retired in Nov 2019. Decided I needed summers off to have fun.

You all have my sincere thanks! I would like to see my 17 year old grandson get into school for that. He doesn't think he could deal with bloody accidents, he has gutted deer but doesn't like it.

Not myself but both our sons have oldest 10 years plus also an EMT and left the service our youngest is going on two years and enjoying it very much.
Very proud of both of them.

23 years vfd 12 as chief . Very rewarding ,

Thank you all, so very much, for your care and service to life.

So many talented people in this Tman Tribe .

Pete was there when fire was discovered

It is a good skill to learn , lots of training , usually free too. It looks AWESOME on a job application for any job. Even if you are not a firefighter anymore. Gives you a BIG advantage over other job applicants. Plus , the police leave you alone if they know you are a firefighter. I have FF plates on the front and back of my car , do a minor thing wrong the police let you slide most of the time.
Also , I get discounts in many places for being a FF.

Encourage him to go for it , best place to start is your local volunteer FD. There is a nationwide shortage of FF's.

Geez! Did you rookie with Wag Dodge or what?

Much respect , well earned too.

I met a guy once who after I told him I was a 2nd generation firefighter , he told me he was a 5th generation firefighter , I was blown away.

There are some awesome people hiding in plain sight out there.

Kudos

For sure Firefighters get the deals on food whether it's a local pizza or Safeway meat

Active volunteer - 19 years as a firefighter, the past 14 as an EMT and Fire Chief as well. Feel the heat!

Volunteer FF 42 yrs this coming August. Took Wildland FF course S690 with NYS DEC back in 1994. Stayed qualified for a couple of years but was never called.

Volunteer fire dept for 10 years.
EMT for 15 years, instructor for the last 7 or so.
Just stepped down this year, it was time.
Jim

FF I/II for five years. First class of EMT school starts tonight. Cut my trapping season short to make time for EMT training. It's going to be a long five months!

All volunteer department. I wish I would have started firefighting much sooner in my life. I would have loved to have made a career of it.