What are the pros and cons of being a firefighter?

Although it can be challenging to encounter people at their worst moments sometimes, the work to protect people while educating them on how to save lives is a very rewarding experience. Firefighters spend their shifts preventing injury or death while saving homes and other structures from destruction.

They play a significant role in saving lives and this makes it a very rewarding career. They see the world in some of their darkest moments and are able to bring a little bit of light to those moments.

Firefighting is a very physical job that requires them to be able to wear heavy equipment while performing rescue operations. To that end, this job will require that you maintain your physical fitness levels. Most firehouses have a gym on site so that their firefighters can keep up with their regular fitness routine while on shift.

This is a benefit because we all know that maintaining your personal health is important and can be difficult as we get older. Another benefit of being a firefighter are the financial benefits and pension that most receive. Most firefighters earn about $50,000 per year, which places this career at the median earnings level in the United States.

You will also receive a comprehensive set of benefits that includes a lucrative retirement package, with most in this career receiving a pension after they put in a certain amount of service over the years. You may not earn as much in this position as you would in another job, but the community will take care of you when it is time to retire.

As with any other career, there are always drawbacks. For firefighters, the shifts that they are required to work can be unusual and may include working 24 to 48 hour shifts with a few days break in-between each shift. If you are looking for a 9-5 job where you are home on the weekends, this job isn't for you.

The most common shifts for firefighters are 24 hours on followed by 48 hours off or a 10 to 12 hour shift for 3 to 4 days in a row. Schedules are usually done on a rotating basis and you will be expected to work on holidays, nights, and weekends. While you can request these days off in advance, you are not likely to get them, especially as a newbie.

Unusual shifts like those mentioned can make it difficult to develop or maintain a relationship. One of the big factors has to do with time and time management. Being a firefighter requires that you place a greater emphasis on making time for friends and family and being present for life events.

This is important to not only maintain your relationships, but also to maintain your mental health and prevent burnout. It is also important to take time off (when you can) to reconnect with the people in your life.

Perhaps one of the biggest (and most obvious) cons to being a firefighter is that you are putting your life on the line with each call. Firefighters are often put in harmful situations by entering burning buildings and trying to evacuate others. This can affect you both physically and mentally.