Dangerous Things Firefighters Can Do

It’s not easy to be a firefighter, and there’s no doubt that firefighting is a noble service profession. As a firefighter, you have to be always prepared to deal with any emergencies. You should know that a firefighter’s job isn’t just extinguishing fires in burning buildings. Often, firefighters are the first ones to respond to explosions, traffic accidents, and natural disasters. This blog post will highlight some of the common dangers associated with working as a firefighter.

Physical Injuries

Firefighters are always risking their lives and are very vulnerable to physical injuries. They are susceptible to getting burnt and at risk of inhaling smoke, getting crushed injuries due to structures collapsing. It’s very common for fighters to get exhausted due to exposure to extreme heat. Many firefighters are often affected by various job-related illnesses that include asthma, heart problems, major lung damage, and even certain types of cancers. It’s a highly demanding job that not everybody can handle.

Mental Health Problems

The impact of firefighting jobs isn’t limited to physical aspects only. Firefighters are also at a high risk of mental health issues such as mental trauma and lifetime depression. A firefighter who is part of any accidents that involve mass casualties is more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and similar mental health problems that affect their individual and family life. The great stress levels associated with saving people and handling difficult situations don’t go away when firefighters leave the scene. Like veterans involved in wars, firefighters complain about getting flashbacks, inability to sleep, constant anxiety, mood swings, frustration, and depression.

Benefits of Being a Firefighter

Despite such issues, there are many benefits of becoming a firefighter. Since there are many risks involved, firefighters are usually paid good salaries and enjoy many other benefits. Let’s have a look at some other benefits of being a firefighter.

You Stay Fit

Unless you end up getting injured during a rescue mission, there’s a high probability that you’ll stay fit because of the nature of work. It’s one of the most important requirements of the field to stay physically fit and active. Otherwise, how else will you be able to run through burning buildings and deal with the fire hose? If you’re into physical fitness and love taking challenges, firefighting can prove to be a great career.

Mental Toughness

We earlier talked a little about the mental health issues that firefighters face. However, at the same time, you’ll also come across firefighters and other rescue workers who are mentally stronger than you can imagine. They’ve seen so much tragedy in their lives that their mind is already developed to deal with the most dangerous situations.

You Learn Teamwork

if you’re a team worker who loves collaborating with people, you’d love working as a firefighter. The job involves a lot of teamwork and coordination, and there’s nowhere you are going without supporting your team members.

Good Pay and Other Benefits

If you look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you’ll see how much firefighters earn annually. Besides good pay, you can also enjoy a wide range of other benefits.

Not Too High Educational Requirement

Do you know that you can become a firefighter right after high school? There’s no need for a degree or master’s in any field. All you need is a customized training program that your state has approved. However, if you wish to be a part of any administrative or management roles, then you’d need an associate’s degree in fire science. The entry to the field doesn’t have many barriers, but the training is pretty tough, so you should better be mentally and physically prepared for that before you apply for it.

A Dream Come True

You might be surprised to know that becoming a firefighter is like a dream come true for many people. Some families have a legacy of their generations serving as firefighters. Regardless of the risks involved, there is nothing better than contentment and satisfaction that comes with saving lives.

Becoming a Federal Firefighter

If you are planning to become a federal firefighter, you should know that you’d be an employee for a federal agency in your state. Some of the options include The Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S Fish and Wildlife. Some agencies are also associated with the U.S. Military.

Both civilians and military personnel are allowed to apply to work in these agencies. Your job responsibilities can vary depending on your level of training and experience. At times, you’ll just have to take care of fire alarms, and other times you might have to risk your life during any emergencies.

What Is Needed?

All you need to become a federal firefighter is a high school diploma and citizenship of the United States. Once you meet this criterion, you’ll be required to pass a medical exam. You’ll also be expected to prove that you can walk three miles in forty-five minutes with a heavy forty-five-pound backpack. You will also need a first aid and CPR certification in some other survival skills before being exposed to the danger. Keep in mind that the criteria and requirements may vary between different agencies and states.

Federal Firefighter VS Municipal Firefighter: What’s Better?

There are many benefits associated with becoming a federal firefighter. As a government employee, you’ll receive regulated salaries that are generally the same throughout the country. However, the salary of municipal firefighters depends on many different factors. The only downside of working as a Federal firefighter is an excessive workload that can affectyour health.

Are you planning to pursue a career in a federal firefighting agency? Do you have what it takes to pass civil services tests and firefighting training? At Civil Service Success, we are preparing hundreds of applicants to appear for the civil service exams in different fields. We ensure that our courses are designed to train all our applicants for all sections of their civil service exams. Get in touch with us to find out more.