fire fighter

Question

so guys
how cool would that be? In my country all firefighters are volunteers... a friend of mine is a firefighter and is convincing me to join, i am seriously thinking about it. It still can be dangerous, a firefighter died 2 weeks ago. But they dont get any gov funding, they get only donations, only volunteers join and you really make a difference. Like if i am not contributing with money at least i can give a hand (i dont know ifanyone knows how much it costs to equip a firefighter, it is INSANE.

Edit: moved to Off Topic forum.

AmrithS · Answer

If you don't have any financial liabilities, go ahead!!! Also, if you have any dependents, make sure they understand the risks involved. Good luck!

toiysam · Answer

well it is part time, i will keep my job, i think it would be like two shifts per week or something... anyways, this monday i got a meeting with them and will see what type of comitment they are asking for. since everyone is a volunteer they dont expect you to commit full time

i dont have any dependents... still i know the risks involved (i work in insurance)...

AmrithS · Answer

I say go for it! Life is too short to be wondering about what to do

Cheers Dude!

toiysam · Answer

thanks man, kinda excited... like one day to tell my kinds, you know what i was a firefighter, also great pick-up liner...
also it does feel like a fun experience, as i understood it really becomes like a club

riverripper · Answer

I was a volunteer firefighter for a few years after college. I also went through the academy while still in undergrad. The practice fires are a lot of fun (seriously its awesome). However, the real deal is not really that cool. Plus a lot of what you deal with is things like car accidents and other unfun stuff.

Depending on the department it can be a low demand or high demand activity. Some companies are pretty understanding but others aren't...before you go making a commitment you should talk with your employer about their views. I rarely ever left work but if there was a call at 2am and I spent the night out then I sure wasn't at work in peak form first thing in the morning.

toiysam · Answer

well, most is car accidents (i went to talk to them)

so i would start training late march.

since i am single i would do the night shifts. that is, sleeping there for 2 weeks and resting for one month. It is not that busy, like some nights they get a call, and others they dont (on average they get 2.8 calls per  day ). They actually have a log in their website showing when they get calls and at what time and i would say that they dont get calls all nights and most likely just one call per night. 
so, if there is a call you just wake up and stand in front of the truck and they tell you if you get on it, although he told me that newbies are so excited that they just jumpo on it.
it seems like a cool experience, it really seemed as a boys club, they have a pool, a pool table, and stuff. they have parties and in thos 2 weeks when you have to sleep over you might take one or two nights off to go out with your friends.

Anasthaesium · Answer

I am an advanced fire fighter myself ( more of a job requisite than a hobby ) and volunteer whenever I can in the local community and I would say its a brave thing to take it up and a very noble one at that. But dont go by the "coolness" factor of it. The job can get pretty tough, dangerous and testing at times.

i say, weigh your options carefully before going in.. like before fighting any fire :D

i say, weigh your options carefully before going in.. like before fighting any fire :D

abmyers · Answer

Volunteers? Shoot in California they get paid about 100k a year, and get to retire at about 50 years old with 90% of their salaries for the rest of their life....pretty good gig.

fire fighter

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