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Why did you become a firefighter if you are one?
#firefighting #firefighter #fire #emergency #first-responder #fire-police
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3 answers
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Eric’s Answer
My uncle is a retired Lieutenant. My oldest cousin was the Assistant Chief for the city and my youngest cousin is a Captain. I used to always visit the fire house on my way home from school and was always fascinated with what they told me and what I saw. I tried out for a department in my area, but did not get hired. A few years later I tried again after meeting a fire chief of a neighboring township. They agreed to put me thru the academy in exchange for two years of service on his department. I have been working in some capacity as a firefighter ever since. It is the one job that if I had a chance to do, I always wanted to.
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Kenneth’s Answer
My path to becoming a Firefighter is a unique one. While I am currently a police officer, I was a fire lieutenant before and am thinking of going back. I started my emergency response career as an Army Medic. I was sent to a special team that dealt with CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear, and Explosive) response. I got my Hazmat Operations training there. While doing a contract with the National Guard I chose to become a Firefighter since I already had two of the three major certifications, HAZOPS and EMT. I never thought of glory or being a Hero. The job is hard and demanding. It is rewarding, but it also takes a lot of emotional fortitude. I enjoyed the fight and the struggle. Fighting fire was a puzzle to me. I would read the smoke and take in a much information as possible to beat the "dragon", the fire. I loved the challenge. I like competition and I thrive in chaotic environments. Its dirty, exhausting, and dangerous and I loved every single second of it. With that said, I do care for any patients in my care with the upmost respect, dignity, and professionalism. Every life is deserving of being saved, but I won't lie and say that was/is my driving reason for being a first responder. I simple like the challenges it provides me.
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Thomas’s Answer
To save lives. In addition to being a firefighter I was also a police officer. Every one loves to see the fire department arrive but if it is a police car they want no part of you. Felt good to be liked by the community versus hated.
I feel this on a very deep level. People loved when I showed up in bunkers, but I was almost never welcome with a duty belt.
Kenneth Cochran