How to Decide if becoming a Firefighter is right for you
So, you want to be a firefighter?
With the economy in the shape that it's in, and many jobs being outsourced, it is difficult to decide which career field to enter that will give you long term employment as well as peace of mind when planning for retirement. One such career choice is to become a firefighter; whether you chose full time or part time, career or volunteer. And believe it or not, the best place to go to decide if it's the right choice for you may be as close as your neighborhood fire station.
Most fire departments have programs, such as Cadet Firefighters, geared towards introducing teenagers and young adults to the field, in hopes of securing them at some point in the future as members of the department. Most begin the program between the ages of 14-16 and continue on until they graduate from high school and start into a fire academy for formal training. These cadets participate in nearly all aspects of the job, with the exception of actual fire suppression missions. They take a spot on the fire truck when responding to scenes of motor vehicle crashes or medical emergencies, and assist the firefighters in their jobs by helping gather medical equipment or firefighting tools. They are also responsible for helping out around the station as well. This would include cleaning, show-and-tell tours, and learning about the tools used and where they are kept on the fire trucks.
If you're past the typical cadet age, you do have several other options to explore to determine if becoming a firefighter is an investment worth making.
Another avenue offered by area fire departments is a "Ride Along" program that allows the general public to go with the firefighters responding to calls for service. This allows you to experience first hand the great responsibility that goes into the job. After signing a Waiver of Liability, you get to hang out with the crew until the next alarm sounds. Then you race to the truck with them, climb into your seat and put on your seat belt and away you go. Then you become a bystander, witnessing first hand all that goes into becoming a true American Hero. And if riding with them is not an option, it is still a great opportunity to sit down and talk with them and get their take on life in this line of work. I guarantee they won't be short on interesting stories to tell.
Lastly, if the first two suggestions are not a viable option, you can contact your local college or career center to inquire about sitting in on a few of the classes offered in the fire service academy. They can suggest which classes to sit in on that will give you the clearest idea on what is involved in the training. And if you're lucky enough, they may even let you go through [or at least try to go through] the physical agility testing that is typically required to hire on most any fire department. Just watching or attempting to go through this test alone may be enough to convince you whether or not you really want to do the job.
Becoming a firefighter isn't easy, and the job is not for everyone. But, for those who do choose to make a career out of it, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a person's life.
