Should I become a Firefighter?

"MUSASHI66" (musashi66) 02/09/2016 at 14:23 • Filed to: None

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Not really car oriented - other than a chance of driving a fire truck :)

I was born when Carter was a president, so I am no longer a spring chicken. I am married. I am a Senior IT dude at a local state university - inching closer to a six figure income, I can retire at 57 with a good pension. Job is cushy, fairly easy, my boss loves me, my boss’s boss loves me, I like my coworkers...and yet, I am dreaming of becoming a firefighter.

They open the application for a firefighter once every year - maybe even once every two years - for 2 hours only. I managed to sign up this year. I am hitting the orientation tonight. CPAT test is in March, and I am sure I can pass it.

But, if I become a firefighter, my salary would be cut almost in half. 5-10 years down the road, I might make 5-10k less than what I make now per year - and I get raises here, few percent every year we have money in the budget. Chance of dying in the line of duty, or from cancer (apparently firefighters get cancer at alarming rates) grows exponentially.

I would work 48 hours per week instead of 40. I would earn less vacation time for next 15 years. I would earn less sick time. I wouldn’t spent night with my wife at least 2 days per week. I would deal with dead bodies, blood and guts, junkies, fires etc.

Yet, every morning when I wake up and drive to work, I imagine driving to a fire station. I hang with a bunch of firefighters, and I am craving the camaraderie they have. I wanted to be a firefighter for a long time, but my ex wife didn’t agree. My uncle was a firefighter, so that might add some allure to the job.

Tell me - am I crazy? Should I follow my dream, or just work here for another 20-25 years and retire young-ish, and enjoy the world?

iSureWilll > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:27

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With all the negatives you posted like a salary cut and more time away from your family, I would stay at the school full time. Maybe see if you can work part time at the firehouse on Saturdays only or something. I too have always thought a fireman job would be sweet but now I'm in sales!

TheRealBicycleBuck > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:28

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You are crazy. Stay an IT guy. Move further out. Become a volunteer fireman. Enjoy fighting fires on nights and weekends.

Shankems > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:34

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Pension in place at the current job? Stay at current job.

Stapleface > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/09/2016 at 14:36

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100 times this.

A coworker of mine is the fire chief for my town. They are an all-volunteer force. While he loves his job as a firefighter, he would never do it as a full time job. There needs to be money coming in to the household, and even paid forces pale in comparison to a decent job (unfortunately)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:37

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Who’s the craziest person you can imagine?

OK you’re crazier than them.

Become a volunteer or reserve firefighter and keep your day job.

In 10-2o years you’ll thank me.

JKER > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:38

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It sounds like what you want is the camaraderie and excitement. In that case, buy a motorcycle. You’ll have all the friends you need!

Ash78, voting early and often > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:40

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I’m normally like “Follow your dreams, dude!”

But I’m in a very similar boat as you, and now that I can just barely support a family on one income, I could never take a pay cut — not even 10%. Even if it meant loving my work a lot more.

Get your kicks through hobbies, volunteer with the FD, etc. But stick with the sure thing on the career path. If you switch, I bet you (or your wife) will be regretting it a lot of the time.

64Mali > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:40

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My buddy is a full time firefighter. He spends 50% of his time sitting in the fire house. Most of his calls are for traffic accidents so for 80% of the calls he is acting as an EMT for crashes of drunk drivers, and skid marks on the roads that used to be people. He also deals a ton with violent heroine addicts.

I think he has actually been to maybe 3 fires in the last 3 months. Before he became full time he was working part time at 3 different fire houses and one ambulance place just to make enough money to live on in VT. As well as all the classes, training and schools to be eligible to be a full time fire fighter.

I would vote stay in IT and become a volunteer fire fighter.

GordonBombay > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/09/2016 at 14:41

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I’ll agree with this also! I just got on last year in my town as a volunteer and have been really enjoying it.

Boxer_4 > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:45

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In my opinion, becoming a volunteer firefighter is the way to go in your case. You could keep your current job and all of its benefits, but still get to experience being a firefighter.

I know someone who is a volunteer fireman/paramedic in a smaller town and full-time engineer. He mostly gets called out during nights and weekends. Occasionally, he gets called out during the day if it’s really bad. Of course, his employer is fine with it (other employers might not be). I get that it’s not quite the same as being a career firefighter though.

jariten1781 > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:47

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I wouldn’t do it if you’ve got other folks to take care of, but if it’s just you? Do what makes you happy.

Also take a look around at the communities in driving distance from where you are; you may find a better balance. There are volunteer fire units that are time available, same with EMT. There're also programs where you can be deputized for special duty policing. Also stuff like being a scout leader or community rep on zoning committees or whatever.

Azrek > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:49

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No, stay with your career but ask for additional time off so you can be a Volunteer Firefighter, Volunteer Ranger or similar. Florida has some folks who do Hurricane Rescue as well, which is awesome fun.

Spaceball-Two > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:55

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Son of a retired (30+ years) firefighter here. There is a tremendous amount of abuse your body and psyche will take. You’ll see some horrible things and have to go to bed at night remembering what you saw and will likely see again. You’ll spend a lot of time away from your family and if heaven forbid some really big shit hits the fan (earthquake, major disaster, giant monsters, terrorist attack) your number one responsibility is to get to work. Regardless of what may happen to your family in the situation. Most departments are bogged down in union bullshit and you’ll do very little actual fighting of fires. Lots of car wrecks, medical calls and old ladies who can’t breath well and just want someone to talk to. Marriages and firefighting don’t tend to mix well either. Ask some of your friends that are first responders. I am willing to bet many are on their second marriage.

Weigh your options.

Xyl0c41n3 > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 14:55

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How fit are you? Firefighters have to be able to withstand climbing multiple flights of stairs (if you live in a community with lots of high rises, which I’m betting there are at least a couple).

Do you work out and lift weights regularly? I’m not trying to see if you’re a gym rat or a bro, but, especially with your age, they’ll be concerned with your physical fitness and how well you’ve maintained it.

If you were to take the PT exam today, could you pass it?

How does your spouse feel about this? You mention that your ex-wife wasn’t keen on the idea, but you didn’t mention how your current wife feels about it. I’m not necessarily saying she has to enthusiastically agree with this dream of yours, but if she’s very enthusiastically against it... well, you already know how that helped shape your previous relationship.

How big an issue is the money to you, really ? You talk about the days off you wouldn’t get and the pay cut you’d receive. Would you and your wife still be able to enjoy the quality of life you have now? Would you still be able to pay the bills, keep adding to your retirement fund(s), and have enough leftover to go out on date night or whatever else you use your discretionary cash for? Or would you have to cinch your budgetary belt?

Finally, are there any smaller towns nearby that primarily use volunteer firefighters? Or does you town use volunteers in addition to their paid force? Could you join such a volunteer service that way you can see if firefighting is really for you?

If your boss and your boss’ boss really do like you as much as you say they do, maybe they would be amenable to you working shortened weeks (or tele-working) in order to be on call one or two days a week as a volunteer firefighter.

I mean, you’re not that old. Assuming you were born in the last year of Carter’s presidency, you’re going to turn 35 this year. That’s not old. Even if you were born in the first year of Carter’s presidency, you’re still just shy of 40.

Look, I’m all for pursuing your passions, and there is a lot of truth to the saying that, “if you work doing something you love, then you never really work a day in your life,” but you’re also at that cliché “mid-life crisis” age.

Another thing. You said this:

I would deal with dead bodies, blood and guts, junkies, fires etc.

How prepared do you think you are to actually deal with confronting humanity at some of its worst, or weakest, or ugliest, or most frightening moments?

Are you squeamish at all? Would the sight of blood and guts get to you? Would you still be able to see a passed out “junkie” as a human being worthy of dignity and respect?

How much of this is about the “cool” factor (you talk about the camaraderie) and the idea of being a firefighter, and how much of this is about wanting to give back your community and help your fellow man?

To be sure, it’s more than OK for part of your reasons to be because of the cool factor, but if that’s the bulk of your reasoning for wanting to join, then maybe this isn’t a profession for you.

Like many public service professions, a passion to participate will engender commitment and fulfillment way better than the feather-preening that comes with the image of said profession.

THShorn92 - Left his car in America > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:01

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I know exactly what you are feeling. I’m a good bit younger than you however. My dad is a firefighter and I’ve always been what you could call a “fire buff”. Recently I've been reading some books by former Boston Fire Commissioner Leo Stapleton and they are really making me wish I was a firefighter. The fire service is an amazing brotherhood that is amazing to be a part of. Hard to say what you should do. Volunteering would be a good way to at least try it out. Good luck whichever way you decide to go!

MUSASHI66 > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/09/2016 at 15:14

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That might be an option. Problem is - I really value my free time and never have enough, so balancing a full time job, wife and two dogs, parents and in laws, all my hobbies and another responsibility would be hard. I might have to look into it..

MUSASHI66 > Stapleface 02/09/2016 at 15:16

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Pay wise - Denver starts at almost $50k, as firefighter class one you are at 75k, and then you get longevity pay, bilingual pay, overtime if you work on holidays... in 5 years I would probably be making decent money again, but considering what I make now, I’d almost need to be a Fire Chief to make it the same.

MUSASHI66 > 64Mali 02/09/2016 at 15:18

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Yeah, I know I wouldn’t fight fires often. I am still craving the brotherhood they have. But, there are so many negatives for me at this point. I should have applied when I was 21...

TheRealBicycleBuck > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:22

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If you value all these things, and I have no doubt that you do, switching careers isn’t going to help you. Chasing dreams isn’t always everything it’s cracked up to be. We tend to romanticize our dreams, ignoring the realities that come along with realizing those dreams - less money, less free time, less ability to spend time with wife/dogs/family, less ability to work on hobbies, etc.

Going the volunteer route would let you learn about the realities of being a firefighter without taking on the financial risks. If you still want to go full time after a year, that’s an option.

It’s like the proverbial car-chasing dog; what’s he going to do when he catches it?

MUSASHI66 > Xyl0c41n3 02/09/2016 at 15:24

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Lot of good points. We started crossfit few months ago - I am continually reminded how fit I could be - some of the guys at the gym are beasts. I know I can pass the CPAT - academy might be a different story.

Wife is supportive - she is criminal defense attorney that doesn’t like what she does, so she understands. The fact that she racked up a mortgage worth of student loans is keeping her in the profession.

Money would be a bit of an issue, but not much. My salary cut would equal about what we pay on her loans now, and they are a year away from being paid off. After that, we’d have enough to live comfortably - especially if I find a part time IT job and make extra 20k or so.

I am not squeamish, and I can handle things pretty well, so I am not very concerned about this aspect. I a not after the cool factor - maybe if I were single and 21 I would be. I wanted to be one for a while, so definitely not middle age crisis. I work for a public university, I worked for a public school district, I am on public employee retirement, so I sort of feel like I already give back to the community, but would prefer to give back as a firefighter.

This is a tough decision..

MUSASHI66 > Spaceball-Two 02/09/2016 at 15:26

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Most firefighters I spoke with love what they do. One of the guys became a firefighter at a later time in his life, is ex-IT, used to make six figures, and decided to leave it all, and he loves it. Not sure about the body abuse - it might be there, but they all look super fit. Mind abuse is different - I guess no knowing how I would cope without doing it.

MUSASHI66 > Boxer_4 02/09/2016 at 15:27

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If I could do it instead of my job for a day or two, I might, but next to my job...I need more time off as it is, and working full time + being a volunteer would be too much.

MUSASHI66 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/09/2016 at 15:28

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Well, not sure if I am crazy - I am weighing my options here. Eventually, money would be there too - not as much as now, but wife is a lawyer, we’d make do.

MUSASHI66 > jariten1781 02/09/2016 at 15:29

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I don’t want a duty next to my full time job, so none of those sound appealing.

MUSASHI66 > Ash78, voting early and often 02/09/2016 at 15:31

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Pay cut would not be pleasant - but it would coincide with us paying off my wife’s student loans, so we should be in the same boat as now, which is very comfortable. Of course, having extra $2-3k per month if I don’t change jobs and we pay off her loans would mean paying off the house in next few years instead of in next 10.

E92M3 > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:31

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Do you want your life to have meaning? Do you want to feel how rewarding it is to help people in their time of need? Do you like going to work, and having no idea what you’re going to do that day? It could be a cat up a tree, you could save a child from burning to death, or you could be called to the horror scene of a terrorist attack. It will not always be rewarding. Some days you’ll be horrified. But somethings are more important than money.

MUSASHI66 > Azrek 02/09/2016 at 15:31

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If they gave me extra time off, I’d do it. I wouldn’t do it on the side - working full time and balancing life is enough as it is.

MUSASHI66 > THShorn92 - Left his car in America 02/09/2016 at 15:32

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If I was 21 all over again, I’d apply in a heartbeat. Now, life is a bit more complicated, but the desire is still there. Why don’t you become one?

MUSASHI66 > E92M3 02/09/2016 at 15:34

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See, that is what I am talking about. I mean, I do good work here. I (and the team) support 300-400 doctors, researchers, and admins which are working on curing cancer. But, it is not as satisfying as helping others hands on.

MUSASHI66 > JKER 02/09/2016 at 15:34

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Had one (well, 3), and I don’t really agree - at least it wasn’t the camaraderie that I am after.

MUSASHI66 > iSureWilll 02/09/2016 at 15:35

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Negatives are pretty substantial. It is just a matter of finding out how bad I want to be one, and if I am willing to pay for it.

MUSASHI66 > Shankems 02/09/2016 at 15:36

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Pension is through public employee funds, and if I become a firefighter, it would be very similar, and just as safe. Current place does pay shit ton toward my retirement though - they deduct just under $600, and contribute around $1400 per month.

iSureWilll > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:38

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Yep. You have a lot of good advice from everyone here. Good luck!

MUSASHI66 > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/09/2016 at 15:41

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Good point. Although I would work 48 hours per week, versus 40 hours per week, firefighter schedule of 24 on 48 off would give me 4 days a week off versus 2, so I might have tons of time. My other dream is a doggy day care, and I might be able to run one part time.

MUSASHI66 > iSureWilll 02/09/2016 at 15:42

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Thanks!

Slant6 > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:45

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Civil Air patrol might be of interest to you. It’s more volunteer oriented but you get the chance to go up and help people from a plane. You also get a uniform.

64Mali > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:45

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Join a volunteer group, or volunteer EMT, get your brotherhood that way. Or join some clubs.

MUSASHI66 > Slant6 02/09/2016 at 15:51

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Never even heard of them, thanks!

MUSASHI66 > 64Mali 02/09/2016 at 15:52

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Not enough time in a week to add another responsibility to my list. That is one of the reasons why I am looking at a full time firefighter job.

TheRealBicycleBuck > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:53

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I’ve had the “luxury” of working shift work. I learned that most of your days off don’t align with the rest of the world’s days off, so you have to like being alone or you have to find lots of things to fill the “empty” time. It’s pretty hard on kids, if you ever decide to have one.

There’s no such thing as starting a business like a doggy day care part time. Who do you trust to run it the other days of the week?

Sheesh, I hate being the guy dumping reality on your party, but you have your cake and are eating it too. Why screw that up to fulfill some macho notion of running into burning buildings to save damsels in distress?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:57

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No. Not full time anyways. My father was a volunteer firefighter for 20 odd years and still held a regular style job. Show up to calls if you can and get paid for what you show up for.

AM3R shamefully returns > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 15:58

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Definitely just become a volunteer firefighter.

MUSASHI66 > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/09/2016 at 16:03

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Wife would love to work at a doggy day care too, and you know, you can hire people to do things - it is a given that I would need employees.

I am really not after saving damsels in distress - fires are not something that firefighters deal with often.

As for the time off and not having the days aligned -I can see that being an issue, but hopefully one solved by hanging with other firefighters ;)

THShorn92 - Left his car in America > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 16:04

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I get married in October. Once I get settled in I hope to volunteer. Maybe one day if I get tired of playing with computers I’ll do it. Also I highly suggest reading Cheif Staplton’s books. A great insight into the fire service

Slant6 > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 16:08

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They do community stuff too. I think it has a comradery element to it and a bit of the emergency action you crave.

E92M3 > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 16:21

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I say go for it. You only live once. You can always find an IT job again with your experience. Do you want to fix the BSOD? Or help people on scared to/on the verge of death?

TheRealBicycleBuck > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 16:33

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I suppose if your wife is a well-paid lawyer and is willing to be the primary breadwinner, then go for it. Just consider your options if things go wrong and you realize that firefighting isn’t really what you want to do. Think about how difficult will it be for you to get back to where you were in terms of position and salary. Think about how having a larger salary and more time can support your other activities. Make a list of the things you spend money on (hobbies, vacations, etc.) and decide how much of it you are willing to give up. Think about how having children may change this equation.

When I switched from a public sector job to a private sector job, I received better benefits, more time off, no more night work, and a 33% raise. That translated into a better house, a better car, a much better school for my kids, and more time to spend with my kids. I don’t think I would give up all those things just to have my dream job.

Liam Farrell > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 16:33

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Maybe wait the few years until you pay your mortgage off and are debt free. Maybe join like a forest fire department or the national guard in the meantime. The forest fire would depend on where you live. Like where I live in Massachusetts they are pretty much nonexistent, in California they would be a full time job for at least 3 months. Whatever you want to do with your life. Have fun and live it to the fullest. This is just my two cents about it.

MUSASHI66 > E92M3 02/09/2016 at 17:41

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/pretends your’s is the only answer here :D

MUSASHI66 > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/09/2016 at 17:43

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You do have a good point, and it is one of the major factors in my decision. If I was making less, or if being a firefighter paid more, it would be a very easy decision.

MUSASHI66 > Liam Farrell 02/09/2016 at 17:45

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I am in Colorado, and we get plenty of forest fires. Only issue is, anything like that is an addition to my already booked schedule. If I do wait to pay of the mortgage - which might be the smart move -I’d be 40, and that might be pushing it, unless I keep up my Crossfit and get in even better shape in next 4 years. Decisions, decisions...

bubblestheturtle > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 18:42

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I just kept the job and maneuvered myself to a place where I could join a VFD. Did that for 10 yrs. And our department paid us on per-call basis. It wasn't much, but it was fun to get the check at the Christmas party each year. I still miss running into burning buildings.

Jayvincent > MUSASHI66 02/09/2016 at 21:38

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Think of all the Ferrari owners you could meet...

MUSASHI66 > Jayvincent 02/09/2016 at 22:13

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Haha awesome :)

Hamtractor > MUSASHI66 02/10/2016 at 13:29

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Do it. Best job in the world. I was a fireman for ten years before I left due to some shit in my personal life I couldn’t avoid. It was the best ten years of my life.

MUSASHI66 > Hamtractor 02/10/2016 at 14:29

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I just did the orientation last night. Starts at 51k, in 4 years you are making $85k base pay with Denver Fire. Add longevity pay, search and rescue, becoming an engineer etc - I might be close to 6 figures in 5-6 years, which sort of puts me to about where I am now.

Plus, they have 4 academy start dates - I can hold off until fall of 2017, get in even better shape, and pay off my wife’s loans by then, and I have a feeling I could stay on part time where I am now for some supplemental income.

I still want to do it, pretty badly.

Hamtractor > MUSASHI66 02/15/2016 at 12:58

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I was a fireman in Wheat Ridge, and have friends all over the Denver area. I can put you in touch with some guys on Denver, Aurora, West Metro, and several other departments if you'd like. I also highly recommend looking at Colorado Springs, they are a busy, aggressive fire department...