2 answers
Colby
Student
Elyria, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
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What are the work days like for a fire fighter
I wanted to see if family time was restricted a lot of the time, Family is really important to me and i was just wondering if I would have a decent amount of time to see them during the day.I was also concerned with free time and about how much you would have on a typical day #firefighter
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2 answers
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Training Officer / EMT
83
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello Colby. That's a great question, and I'm glad to hear you are so close to your family!
A firefighter's day begins with shift change and equipment checks. You need to make sure everything is ready to go if there is a call - so you check the fuel levels, make sure the lights work and the engines start, warm up the chainsaws, look up the street closures and weather forecast for the day, etc. The remaining hours before and after lunch are spent training, cleaning the station, performing routine maintenance on gear, apparatus, and the station, working out, etc. You'll typically stop for dinner around 6, and then the rest of your evening is usually yours to relax and unwind. Many people call home to their families during that time.
The exception to all of that is, of course, emergency calls. When a call comes in, you drop everything and respond. Some tasks, like cleaning the station, have to be done no matter what, so if you had a lot of calls during the day, you might have to clean and do some other chores after dinner. It all depends.
The implications of all of that are both good and bad.
The bad news is that you are typically very busy during the day. Often busy with dangerous things, like responding to calls, using power tools, training on or around ladders, etc. Having your phone out to talk to family or having family come visit would be frowned upon for safety reasons. That said, you're going to find that's true in almost ANY job. I have worked in retail, government, first response, education, and more and my employers always get upset if you're on your phone or having personal visitors on a regular basis. When you're at work getting paid to work, your employer expects you to be present and working, not doing personal things.
The good news is that firefighting is the most understanding employers I've ever worked for! They get that the world doesn't stop turning just because you're at work. If the kids at home are misbehaving, or the sink is leaking, you can't just say I'll be home in 2 hours and deal with it - because you might not be home for 2 days. So they get that you may have to make a personal phone phone call in the middle of a training class.
They also understanding that you have to work holidays, nights, and weekends and sometimes that stinks. Every holiday I've ever worked (4th of July, Christmas, etc.) families come visit and spend a meal or part of the day at the fire station. I wouldn't suggest having lunch with your family everyday, but it is acceptable time to time at the discretion of your supervisor.
Let me know if that answers your question!
A firefighter's day begins with shift change and equipment checks. You need to make sure everything is ready to go if there is a call - so you check the fuel levels, make sure the lights work and the engines start, warm up the chainsaws, look up the street closures and weather forecast for the day, etc. The remaining hours before and after lunch are spent training, cleaning the station, performing routine maintenance on gear, apparatus, and the station, working out, etc. You'll typically stop for dinner around 6, and then the rest of your evening is usually yours to relax and unwind. Many people call home to their families during that time.
The exception to all of that is, of course, emergency calls. When a call comes in, you drop everything and respond. Some tasks, like cleaning the station, have to be done no matter what, so if you had a lot of calls during the day, you might have to clean and do some other chores after dinner. It all depends.
The implications of all of that are both good and bad.
The bad news is that you are typically very busy during the day. Often busy with dangerous things, like responding to calls, using power tools, training on or around ladders, etc. Having your phone out to talk to family or having family come visit would be frowned upon for safety reasons. That said, you're going to find that's true in almost ANY job. I have worked in retail, government, first response, education, and more and my employers always get upset if you're on your phone or having personal visitors on a regular basis. When you're at work getting paid to work, your employer expects you to be present and working, not doing personal things.
The good news is that firefighting is the most understanding employers I've ever worked for! They get that the world doesn't stop turning just because you're at work. If the kids at home are misbehaving, or the sink is leaking, you can't just say I'll be home in 2 hours and deal with it - because you might not be home for 2 days. So they get that you may have to make a personal phone phone call in the middle of a training class.
They also understanding that you have to work holidays, nights, and weekends and sometimes that stinks. Every holiday I've ever worked (4th of July, Christmas, etc.) families come visit and spend a meal or part of the day at the fire station. I wouldn't suggest having lunch with your family everyday, but it is acceptable time to time at the discretion of your supervisor.
Let me know if that answers your question!
Thomas Wiggins
Police officer
9
Answers
Highland Park, Illinois
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
When I was a firefighter the hours were not terrible, one 24 hour shift, two days off. Allowed me time to work another career and plenty of family time. My wife and kids would visit me at the firehouse when I was working my shift. Great career choice. Hope this helps you and you are successful in your career.