Top 5 Reasons to Become a Firefighter
Thinking of starting a career or a volunteer position as a firefighter? The profession is one of great importance to the community you’ll serve, and there are dozens of great reasons to join the fire department.
Here are five:
An Alternative Definition of “Family”
When you work as a firefighter, you become part of a team that relies on you—and that you will have to rely upon. You will join your colleagues in situations that quite literally may come down to life or death situations, and will need to be able to communicate quickly and clearly with your fellow firefighters. You’ll share high-pressure situations with those men and women, and the bond that will grow out of facing danger together every day becomes akin to family. Those connections may last a lifetime.
Be a Real Life-Saver
It’s one thing to have Linda in the accounting department tell you you’re a lifesaver for covering her phone while she takes a long lunch. It’s quite another to literally save people’s lives as your profession. Your work as a firefighter will be hugely important to the community and the individuals that create it. You will be able to sleep soundly knowing your job changes lives for the better.
Make a Steady, Reliable Living
Firefighting has been a concept as long as the Egyptian pyramids, and there’s no indicator the world will ever stop needing firefighters. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, firefighters in the U.S. can earn upwards of $42,000 per year, plus receive comprehensive benefits packages.
Work in a Physical, Active Profession
Desk jobs are not for everyone. If you feel claustrophobic in a sedentary lifestyle, rest assured that as a firefighter, your job will require you to stay active and physically fit. Though there will be down time between calls, your need to stay capable of lifting heavy loads and running (at the same time!) necessitates workouts as part of your career.
Learn Real, Transferable Life Skills
Part of being a firefighter is being punctual, dedicated, quick on your feet, and devoted to working well within a team. You’ll gain all these skills and more that are transferable for both your professional and personal life.
