There are times when it can be exciting to do this job. Yes, we do have a life other than firefighting. I love to hunt and fish, ride snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and I do work another job besides being a firefighter/medic. I carry a pager with me 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. I have been inside of burning buildings which could have taken my life. And all of this for a little more than $8 a hr. Not much for risking your life.
I have missed out on family gatherings, birthdays, special dinners with my girlfriend amongst other things when the pager goes off. It has a habit of going off when you least expeect it to. Especially at 3 in the morning when you have a 9 am class.
The one fire that I remember most was when Orchard Creek AFC home burned to the ground. The fire started about 2 in the afternoon right at shift change at the home, which turned out to be a blessing. I was downtown eating at a restaurant when the pager went off. My girlfriend asked what it was and I replied "Oh it's probably a medical run." discpatch informed us that we had a fully involved building with people in it. Luckily they had both day and afternoon shifts on at the home and they got everybody out by the time we had arrived with trucks. I could see the smoke from downtown and knew that we had a working fire. The stress of not knowing whether or not everybody was out of the building was extremely high at that point. Our station is located less than half a mile from the home.
As far as medical runs go, the ones that bother me most are ones that involve children. I don't know why. I guess that it's that I feel they shouldn't have to have to suffer needlessly. I have seen where a child was sick and have seen where they have been severly injuried. Why does that have to happen to that little one I ask? I don't have a answer for that. I have attended Incedent debriefs when little ones have been involved. That is almost a standard for most Depts. in this area.
I guess that I do this job for the love of helping my fellow citizens. Alot of people say that we are crazy for doing what we do. We run into a burning building when most people are running to get out of them. And we don't get alot of money for doing it. Does that make us crazy?
Life after stripping, My future plans
14 years ago
Sounds like your job takes a lot of commitment. That is so awesome that you care that much about helping other people especially in such risky situations where you are near death. I definitely would not be brave enough to be a fire fighter. People who have public service jobs such as yours really aren't paid for all the commitment and dedication it takes to become a firefighter or medic since you are the first people on the scenes of accidents and fires helping people.
ReplyDeleteAndy. I think what you are doing is great. I give you 110% respect from me. It takes alot of courage from an individual to run into a burning building when people are running out. I have had thought of going to school to become a fire fighter, I would only work in a bigger city though, because The money is better. I am a kind of person that loves rushs and I think fighting a fire would be one hell of a rush. I thank you for doing your job as a Fire fighter. Keep up the good work...
ReplyDeleteMy uncle is a fire fighter and he has to deal with the same thing even if it is thanksgiving he's gone. That is why he got volinteer fire fighter of the year in saint ignace.
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