2 answers
Brayden
Student
Oak Harbor, Ohio
10
Questions
Asked
902 views
What is the hardest part about being a FireFighter?
What shifts are the best to work?
Login to comment
2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1942
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Brayden firefighters are the first responders who arrive on the scene of a fire, accident or another emergency. They often enter burning buildings and other dangerous situations, perform rescue operations and strive to protect us from harm. Being a firefighter requires a commitment to the job and a desire to help others. Firefighters undergo extensive training throughout their careers. They learn advanced first aid, firefighting techniques and how to maintain and manage the equipment they operate. Firefighting can be dangerous with risks in dealing with structures that might collapse, the operation of large, heavy equipment, climbing high ladders or while suspended in unsafe places during a rescue. Some firefighters also may train to respond to chemical spills or accidents and risk exposure to harmful or caustic substances. Firefighters work in all weather and they may also have to work in dark and confined spaces.
HOW TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER
To become a firefighter, you'll need to meet certain requirements regarding age, citizenship, criminal history and physical health. These can vary depending on your state or city. It's best to check with your local fire department to find out its application requirements. Firefighter education requires a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and completion of fire academy training. Many departments also require an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, which is a highly recommended credential for better hiring odds and potential advancement to paramedic. Some individuals pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree in fire science for advancement.
FIREFIGHTERS SCHEDULE
Though a full-time firefighter typically works 56 hours per week, their shifts are most likely broken into 24-hour shifts. Almost all fire departments operate on a 24-hour rotation with 10 shifts per month. Similar to other public safety industries, fire departments operate based on both their department’s needs and the needs of the community they serve. Almost every fire department will have a rotation in motion around the clock, meaning firefighters are working 24-hour shifts. Though a 24-hour firefighter schedule can be challenging due to fatigue issues, many emergency service workers work this shift length. Firefighters always need to be on duty to respond to emergencies in the community they protect. Every member of the crew needs a detailed rotation schedule that fits with everyone else’s. Because of this, most large fire departments schedule three shifts that switch on and off workdays. These three shifts result in most firefighters working an average of 10 of these 24-hour shifts per month. Though lengthy, these 24-hour shifts allow firefighters to handle all of the duties, checks and operations of that day.
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FIREFIGHTER
The fire station requires upkeep and every firefighter is responsible for their set chores. Some of the daily chores can include:
• Cleaning the station;
• Cooking; and
• Checking all equipment
Firefighters have to be physically fit in order to do their job, and some daily routines while on shift include participating in physical activity. Unless firefighters are responding to calls, afternoons can be filled with training, fitness activities, inspections and study time. A fire station works systematically and every person plays a role in ensuring the station is operating efficiently.
CONCLUSION
The irregular working hours and shift work associated with firefighting can be demanding and may require adjustments to your lifestyle and personal relationships.
Hope this was helpful Brayden
HOW TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER
To become a firefighter, you'll need to meet certain requirements regarding age, citizenship, criminal history and physical health. These can vary depending on your state or city. It's best to check with your local fire department to find out its application requirements. Firefighter education requires a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and completion of fire academy training. Many departments also require an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, which is a highly recommended credential for better hiring odds and potential advancement to paramedic. Some individuals pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree in fire science for advancement.
FIREFIGHTERS SCHEDULE
Though a full-time firefighter typically works 56 hours per week, their shifts are most likely broken into 24-hour shifts. Almost all fire departments operate on a 24-hour rotation with 10 shifts per month. Similar to other public safety industries, fire departments operate based on both their department’s needs and the needs of the community they serve. Almost every fire department will have a rotation in motion around the clock, meaning firefighters are working 24-hour shifts. Though a 24-hour firefighter schedule can be challenging due to fatigue issues, many emergency service workers work this shift length. Firefighters always need to be on duty to respond to emergencies in the community they protect. Every member of the crew needs a detailed rotation schedule that fits with everyone else’s. Because of this, most large fire departments schedule three shifts that switch on and off workdays. These three shifts result in most firefighters working an average of 10 of these 24-hour shifts per month. Though lengthy, these 24-hour shifts allow firefighters to handle all of the duties, checks and operations of that day.
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FIREFIGHTER
The fire station requires upkeep and every firefighter is responsible for their set chores. Some of the daily chores can include:
• Cleaning the station;
• Cooking; and
• Checking all equipment
Firefighters have to be physically fit in order to do their job, and some daily routines while on shift include participating in physical activity. Unless firefighters are responding to calls, afternoons can be filled with training, fitness activities, inspections and study time. A fire station works systematically and every person plays a role in ensuring the station is operating efficiently.
CONCLUSION
The irregular working hours and shift work associated with firefighting can be demanding and may require adjustments to your lifestyle and personal relationships.
Hope this was helpful Brayden
Philip Gauthier
Nuclear Plant Work Week Manager
19
Answers
Prairieville, Louisiana
Updated
Philip’s Answer
I can't speak for the professional Firefighters, but having been a Junior Firefighter and a Navy Fire Team Leader I would say the hardest part is the cleanup! Usually fighting a fire requires flaking out 100's of feet of hose and 100's of feet of supply line (The big hose that goes from the hydrant to the Truck). All of that has to be put back on the truck. Not to mention all the tools that are required for overhaul following a fire (Halligans, Hooks, Axes, Fans, Power Cables, and Emergency Lights). This part can take hours and depends on the severity of the fire.
After you clean up at the scene, you get to go back to the fire Station and clean some more! All those hoses you put on the truck have to be taken back off and cleaned/dried. Then you get to clean the Trucks, refill the SCBA's air bottles, perform an inventory, and finally you get to clean the Fire Station after you are done cleaning all of that!
This is a lot of work, but it hits different. There is a lot of pride in being a firefighter so taking care of your gear can be tiresome, but that gear may save you some day. Also, you have all your friends to talk to while you cleanup. A Fire Crew becomes a family. It's a big team and everybody pitches in. Theres a bit of an adrenaline rush when you fight a fire, so cleanup usually goes by pretty quick because you are so pumped up.
I actually prefer working Night Shifts. It will impact your personal/social life as you will be sleeping during the day, but things are usually a little calmer at night.
After you clean up at the scene, you get to go back to the fire Station and clean some more! All those hoses you put on the truck have to be taken back off and cleaned/dried. Then you get to clean the Trucks, refill the SCBA's air bottles, perform an inventory, and finally you get to clean the Fire Station after you are done cleaning all of that!
This is a lot of work, but it hits different. There is a lot of pride in being a firefighter so taking care of your gear can be tiresome, but that gear may save you some day. Also, you have all your friends to talk to while you cleanup. A Fire Crew becomes a family. It's a big team and everybody pitches in. Theres a bit of an adrenaline rush when you fight a fire, so cleanup usually goes by pretty quick because you are so pumped up.
I actually prefer working Night Shifts. It will impact your personal/social life as you will be sleeping during the day, but things are usually a little calmer at night.