1 answer
Connor
Student
Kerrville, Texas
6
Questions
1 answer
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Lieutenant / EMT
96
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Conner. Firefighting is a very unique career, and thus requires some unique traits.
Teamwork: Firefighters not only entrust each other with their lives, but they also live together - working shifts that often last 48 hours straight (or up to 3 weeks in wildland firefighting!). If you don't get along well with other people, it might not be the career for you.
Perseverance: Firefighting can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. If you quit every time something gets difficult or doesn't go your way, it may not be the career for you.
Hard Work & Flexibility: Firefighters work rain or shine, hot or cold, day and night - we must be ready to go at a moments notice. You will sweat (a lot), you will get dirty, and you are very likely to experience some kind of injury (usually minor, but not always) at some point in your career. If you value your own comfort, safety, and routine more than you desire to help others, it may not be the career for you.
Honesty & Integrity: Firefighters are often in people's homes when they are not, we have access to controlled substances like drugs, and people share their personal private medical information with us on a daily basis. If you steal or lie, you will destroy the public's trust in their first responders, and likely land yourself in jail.
Self Motivated: Firefighters must constantly practice their skills, and learn new things. Just like in sports, you must practice the fundamentals to be good - even basketball pros practice free-throws and dribbling! There is also a lot of new science and technology that comes out every year, and you have to be familiar with it to be safe. If you don't like to learn and want a job where you don't have to train & practice after your first few weeks on the job, firefighting probably isn't for you.
There are plenty more important traits, but those are a good starting point. Let me know if you want to know more!
Teamwork: Firefighters not only entrust each other with their lives, but they also live together - working shifts that often last 48 hours straight (or up to 3 weeks in wildland firefighting!). If you don't get along well with other people, it might not be the career for you.
Perseverance: Firefighting can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. If you quit every time something gets difficult or doesn't go your way, it may not be the career for you.
Hard Work & Flexibility: Firefighters work rain or shine, hot or cold, day and night - we must be ready to go at a moments notice. You will sweat (a lot), you will get dirty, and you are very likely to experience some kind of injury (usually minor, but not always) at some point in your career. If you value your own comfort, safety, and routine more than you desire to help others, it may not be the career for you.
Honesty & Integrity: Firefighters are often in people's homes when they are not, we have access to controlled substances like drugs, and people share their personal private medical information with us on a daily basis. If you steal or lie, you will destroy the public's trust in their first responders, and likely land yourself in jail.
Self Motivated: Firefighters must constantly practice their skills, and learn new things. Just like in sports, you must practice the fundamentals to be good - even basketball pros practice free-throws and dribbling! There is also a lot of new science and technology that comes out every year, and you have to be familiar with it to be safe. If you don't like to learn and want a job where you don't have to train & practice after your first few weeks on the job, firefighting probably isn't for you.
There are plenty more important traits, but those are a good starting point. Let me know if you want to know more!