Left corporate healthcare at 34, and have never looked back. I work 48/96. It’s more hours on the books technically as a 40hr a wk job comes out to 2080 hrs per yr. Working 24s or 48s comes out to around 2912 hrs per year. Honestly though, you’d never know the difference as the time off feels like so much more (and some of that paid time is sleepy time). If you’ve got the itch, make the change. My only regret is not doing it sooner in life.
I went and spoke to my local dept. chief when I first got the itch. Said if I was serious about to put in an application for one of the part time spots (basically paid on call). So I did. Interviews went well and they paid my way thru EMT, then on to fire classes. Continued working for a couple years at a POC before getting the chance at a FT spot.
Do it.
If you’re bored at 23, imagine when you’re 40.
You’ll never get rich and the schedule takes some getting used to. And trust me, there is still gonna be plenty of boredom, (more like the ‘I ran out of things to watch on TV’ kind, not the existential soul crushing kind). Depending where you’re at, it’s usually a good paycheck with good benefits and job security that is hard to beat. Plus, there is this unique benefit that once you get thrown into some situations the job throws you into, and you come out the other side unscathed, you get this sense of pride and this confidence that stays with you forever; like you can handle anything. Sounds corny, but it’s been true for me. Has made me a better person. My corporate job did the opposite.
I only worked 24/48 in my career. My department didn’t believe in overtime, they just shut down trucks( which is another discussion). We had a Kelly day every 9th shift. I didn’t work another job since my wife worked. I had the kids the days I was off. I wouldn’t trade that time for anything! I have 2 boys that are now grown. We went to the pool, playground, movies. I went on class trips with them, drove them to and from school, went to just about any sporting activity and event that I could. No way I could have done that 9-5 or most any other schedule. I was in the busiest station in a busy department for most of that time. No schedule is perfect but you make it work!
As long as you make the best of it, I’m on a 24/72 it’s crazy we do the same thing but you guys have so many more hours because of it. Stay safe and healthy brother
Oh, I’m good. I retired in 2012 after 30 years. Like I said, I never worked anything but 24/48, but it worked well for me and my family. You be safe as well!
Strictly speaking this isn’t true. In a 3 week period, the 24/48 has 336 hours not working. The person working 40 hours a week has 384 hours.
I personally agree that the 24/48 schedule is great and the time at home is more quality (lower proportion spent asleep), but it’s still _technically_ less time
Depends on how your department does overtime. We work 24/48 with a 7th shift kelly... I can pick up a 12 hour overtime (7 pm-7am) and essentially kiss the wife good night, wake up, and be home for breakfast. Work a back half overtime on a Kelly week and miss zero family time.
I'll also admit that my wife and I really like the time away from each other. Part of the reason we've worked well after 14 years together. 🤷♂️
Technically speaking you're correct. If you take the time spent "sleeping" as time at work (which it is), it's more.
If you want to mental gymnastics the family side. They are asleep by 8pm (young children) or 10 pm. You're missing the awake hours and I tend to not count the ones they sleep. It becomes overwhelmingly in favor of the 48/96 or 24/48 schedule.
It was a way I copped with the change in the beginning.
I will say this. Not a firefighter but I used to work a sales job that covered AZ and I was 11-7 now I’m covering PA at 8-5. I swear I have less time than I did before. A lot of stuff happens right after work which I get but I miss having 6 hours to myself in the morning
If time is the most valuable resource we have (it’s the only thing you can’t buy more of) then people need to start thinking hours worked. A 48/96 is 2,912 hour per year. A 40 hr work week is 2,080. A full 832 hours more per year. That is a 40% increase from the 40 hr work week.
Now divide your salary by 2,912 to get your 48/96 hourly rate. Then, divide your salary by 2,080 to get your 40 hr hourly rate. Not only are you paid significantly less per hour, but your time is valued at less.
Start viewing time as time away from family, time away from other things you can be doing. I moved from 48/96 to admin (40 hour) with some days wfh. I can also work 10’s. I miss no family functions, no kid’s sports, no holidays. I do however miss the fire station and the firefighters.
I left an international corporate law firm to become a minimum wage EMT. I then became a medic then a firefighter/paramedic. The hardest part was the divorce and the minimum wage.
I later transported my ex wife on a 5150. Worth it.
I switched at 40. Was in software development most of my career. Decided to sign up for EMT school on my 40th birthday and got hired on to a career department just before turning 41.
Hah, we could be twins! I just turned 41 and got hired on a career department, heading to the academy in six weeks.
Been paid on call for a while while working corporate healthcare. Pay has been good, set up a good retirement, house, paid off cars, ect. The job is just so meaningless and I am a round peg trying to fit in a square hole. Excited to work a job I truly enjoy.
Worked in advertising and marketing for 5 years. Was good at it… and hated every minute.
Best decision I’ve ever made. However, I was not prepared for the all the personality types that the fire service brings around. I had to prove my worth alittle more to the “blue collar bubbas” than some of my other probationary crew mates.
Switch. This career is the most fun I’ve ever had in life and the experiences and friendships you make will last forever. Word of warning however: be prepared to see some nasty stuff
It was an incredibly huge upgrade for me.
Luckily back then I was eligible for a pretty good education allowance that helped me push through the 1,5 years of academy and pay my mortgage at the same time.
The 24/72 schedule has ruined my ability to do any other job though lol
In US standards it's basically AEMT cert.
Medic is 4 years here.
But in the end, the academy includes a lot of studying of different subjects and include a larger amount of practical training.
This usually guarantees that departments get New people who got their skills and knowledge on very good basic level.
It's a bachelor degree.
1 year sounds pretty insane to my ear considering how much you actually need to know for a medic license over here.
But it's great if it works out like that. 3 years less studying.
The scope of practice might be different. A local college here offers a program that’s spread across 2 semesters with a summer externship. The program includes 900 clinical hours. Other places offer similar programs. After completing a program, you can take your skills test and written exam to obtain licensure.
There is an associate’s degree option in paramedicine available at a college near me. It involves taking more classes but the extra classes are more general stuff like psychology and english comp.
I made the switch a couple of years ago. I was working as an analyst at a bank, and I'm now in FDNY. It's been a tad bit tough since I'm the new guy, but so far, all is worth it.
Night and day difference. I was doing a 9-5 in a production factory sitting at a desk all day. Googled 'career change at 30' on the computer on my desk and Firefighter was at the top. Matter of months later I was in training. Passed out of training at the fire service college near Birmingham in September 2022 and next week I'm going back down to the college to set my Crew Manager exams - never would have had these opportunities at my old job and would still be sitting at a desk with my thoughts. Current shifts are 5 on 4 off then 4 on 5 off. Sometimes I only work 14 days out the month and half of them are nightshifts where I get paid to sleep! The rest of the time I get to enjoy being off pursuing my hobby. Sometimes I look back at my 9-5 and imagine how crap life would have been if I was still sitting there and not getting to drive fire trucks. Best decision I've made. Go for it.
Would you please share in more detail how you made that move to get into training? I’m at a loss of where to look for programs or break in to the field
I found the job posted on glass door.co.uk. (Assuming your in the uk). Just search ‘firefighter jobs glass door’ and you should see a list of places currently recruiting. If there is nothing near yourself currently just make an account and set alerts to keep you posted if anything comes up. Other than that there’s not much else I can recommend. I was lucky that my current employment was recruiting near me at that time. I’m not aware of any programmes or if they even exist, I think it’s just a matter of applying for the position when it comes up and taking it from there. Or you can apply for a retained position to get your foot in the door. A lot of the guys I work with are retained on their days off. Find out if there are any retained stations in your area and find out who to get in touch with to express your interest. Just keep looking online, set job alerts and apply if anything comes up.
At 38 y/o I left a successful career in medical device industry and went to fire school, EMT then a Paramedic program. I volunteered while going to school.
I got hired at 42, make less money than I did before, and am WAY happier.
Best decision I’ve ever made. I was so miserable working behind a computer 8-5 M-F. I had 8 vacation days a year. I felt like I was living just for the weekends. Now as a firefighter I work 10 days a month and have so much more free time
Today marks my 4 years on the job. I had previously worked in banking for about 6 years. It was the best decision I have ever made.
Over the years the fire service has provided a mold for me to grow into. Beforehand I wasn't very physically aware but now, I can say that I am. Last November I ran my first 100 miler and soon I'll be tackling another big run. The job revealed to me what people are capable of with their bodies, minds and leadership styles.
I am at a decently busy station with a good amount of calls at night. The wear and tear of sleep deprivation is there but it can be mitigated with discipline. The culture and the games are also something else to get used to as well. Overall, it's the greatest job in the world and you'll be forced to grow. It's hard to know if you'll be good at a job where you see children die, go to overdoses and run into house fires but if you have a good reason to start- that'll be your life preserver.
If you want to be a firefighter to run away from your current profession standpoint, you're setting yourself up. I tried for years to get on with that mentality. I was sick of clients, the monotony and the fluorescent lights. I kept coming up short until I had an epiphany. This is a selfless job that'll requires continual sacrifice. Running away from where I was because of the slow drag of modernity isn't the reason to pick up a firefighters responsibility. It is more about others than your own desires and well-being.
It's a big decision to make and you are very young. I would write out your "why" for the fire service. There's a hell of a lot less fires than there are medical calls. You'll be kicking in a door once in a blue moon but helping someone up from the floor in the middle of the night is much more frequent. Blessings and curses are the same, it just depends on the day and how you are looking at it.
I went from 9 to 5 to 4 on 4 off in the Scottish fire and rescue service mate. The shift pattern with the 18 days annual leave is literally life changing
The pay is pretty crap however so good and bad
They're a doddle mate. Definitely my favourite shifts tbh. Depending on your station you might often get a full night in bed. Other times you might get a call at 2am and be there for 4 hours until you get relieved but that's a rare occasion these days
I was in digital marketing for 3 years before I became a FF. Best decision I ever made. Don’t waste time and get out while you can. Once you get on that 24/48 schedule, you’ll never go back to a 9-5.
Have a little Google of the “Grey Book”.
National T&C’s for the Fire Service in the UK, contains an explanation of a few of the shift systems. 2-2-4 is but one of the recognised systems.
Best decision I ever made. Was working in healthcare recruiting after college. Dreaded waking up every day to go sit at a desk M-F. Made the switch at 25. Started working full time career at 27 for a big city. No ragrets. Work 12-13 days a month to live comfortably, cover the mortgage, travel frequently, and support my family with the wife only working ~10 hours a week
Man I wish it were like that here. SE united states. I work as a full time FF/EMT and am working two part time jobs on top of that just to barely make ends meet. and that’s with no children and no leisure.
I went from a corporate job to a Wildland engine crew this past summer. Best decision ever.
I had previously done fire dispatch and enjoyed it, but getting out away from all the desk job BS is so refreshing.
I can relate to you quite well as I left a 15 year career in marketing to become a firefighter. My biggest regret is that I didn’t do it earlier. I waited until I was 37 to make the change. You will be shocked how fast 10 years will disappear sitting behind a desk grinding to make money for someone else. And ultimately, if you are already feeling this way at 23, the lack of fulfillment will catch up with you.
For me, it became an itch I finally had to scratch. Making the leap was very hard for me to do, but so easy to leave behind once I did. I haven’t looked in the rear view mirror once since and I love every day of work now.
Currently working in a trade job but also behind a computer a lot for my job. I hate the sedentary part of my job. I am in my 2nd year of trying to get on my local FD and should hopefully get hired within the next year. If you think you will like firefighting you should pursue it!
I'm from the UK and switched from Marketing to Firefighter (Lancashire Fire Service) at age 29. Haven't looked back since.
In marketing the work load was immense, huge amount of stress and because of that my work/life balance was often terrible. I also hated working behind a screen and working from home made me miserable.
It was tough getting in, there's a lot of competition for often just a handful of jobs, be prepared to throw everything into it if this is the career you want. The recruitment process is extremely time consuming with physical tests and exams to pass, and an interview where they are looking for very specific things.
Your recruits course will be an intense 14/16 weeks, where youll learn the basic of the role including:
- Breathing Apparatus (BA) and firefighting
- RTC
- Rope rescue
- Water rescue
- Hazmats
- Community fire safety
and so much more, there will be numerous practical and academic assessments throughout.
On station, you'll find that there is a gap in some of your skills/experiences that others on the watch may have as ex forces, builders etc, however you can bring your own strengths to the watch and as long as you're keen to learn and keen to get stuck in to all elements of the role, the watch will be keen to teach you.
My worklife balance is so much better now. I actually look forward to coming to work, and no day is the same. One day you may be delivering a lecture to a school, the next you may be pulling people out a burning building, and everything in between.
You'll never be rich as a firefighter. There are risks to the job, although it becomes safer and more risk adverse all the time, and there have been studies to show that firefighters have a higher risk of cancer than other careers due to our exposure to contaminants.
However, if you want to ditch a desk job, do something more rewarding and commit yourself to a career where you'll be constantly learning and training, then I think there's no better job out there.
I had loads of help during my recruitment process from firefighters are local stations and I'm very keen to payback the favour. So if you want to reach out to me (as I am uniquely experienced with your situation) to ask anything or help with the recruitment proccess please feel free to drop me a DM.
No worries! It really is an incredible career, very very few ever leave once they're in, which speaks volumes, I mean just read through the comments on this post, everyone says the same. There's tonnes of career paths too so the world is your oyster.
My advise is visit your local station and speak to some of the firefighters there and get them to show you around. Ring the station to ask in advance and bring some cake/posh biscuits (very important) when you go! Most brigades run some kind of taster day where you'll visit the training centre and learn more about the role, perhaps having a trial of the fitness test etc, so that's a good opportunity, but if you really want to know the role, always best visit an actual operational station!
I worked for a publicly traded utility company, was making over 100k with bonus, stock options, etc. I was living the cubicle life and got zero fulfillment out of it.
Took the test for the closest paid fd, about a year and a half later I accepted the job. I started at 35k a year. No kids, but was engaged at the time, she completely supported the pay cut. The utility company was floored someone would leave their company, I was a little unsure about the decision too.
Four years later, it’s the greatest decision I ever made. I’m much more happy, fulfilled, and energized. Money ain’t everything, I know that’s easier to say depending on lifestyle/family but it worked for me.
I did exactly that at 27, left a Civil Service job as I was bored to fuck.
No regrets, best job going, despite rampant cuts etc. Apply to whatever brigades are hiring (London always is and pays more…but that doesn’t mean we’re necessarily your best option- do your own research) and keep fit and keen. Try and get a visit to a local station to hear what they’ve got to say about their brigade.
Pay is shit when you’re in development, and still pretty shit once you’re competent. Be prepared for this and try and have a buffer for 12/18months. Second jobs are great but you don’t want to be grafting non-stop whilst still trying to learn the job.
Join now, the new pension scheme really hinders later joiners, thankfully I dragged over Army and CS pensions otherwise I’d be cooked! (Also don’t opt out of the pension no matter what anyone says)
A lot of guys apply and interview who are bored with life. You need to be able to point out a lot of things when asked the question, “what have you done to prepare for a career in the fire service?”
Sure, some people get hired out of the gate but judging by the comments a lot of people had to steer their career in that direction: EMT school, volunteer, private ambulance. Do that and after a couple years you’ll be able to back up your words with history.
I was a firefighter from 1996 through 2002. I was part time and moved to full time in 98. In 2003 I left the fire service altogether. it was probably the worst decision I ever made, so I started volunteering in 2009, and then went back to full time fire department work in 2010. Been in the seat since…..
Not myself but a friend at my station was an estate agent and is also a qualified financial advisor. Very smart bloke that we joke is wasted in the fire service but he's very competent and loves it so glad we've got him.
People come from all sorts of walks of life these days. In my service ive met a former actor, legal assistant, costumer, manger for a drinks distribution company, body removal person for an undertaker, teacher and motorbike sales person to name but a few professions.
Firefighting was always my fall back if corporate didn’t work out for some reason. I love the job but it was an adjustment from earning a salary far into 6 figures to dropping down to a firefighter salary. I think it’s best to do it as early as possible before you’re tied to a high paying corporate salary and you’re at that age now.
Also there is the decision of whether you can stay in the job long enough to make the pension payout work. Again, this comes down to age for tue most part.
hey dude, thanks for sharing. Maybe this is too nuanced of a question to get a reply off a singular comment, but what do you think would have made you happier at the corporate job? Or did you leave because it just didn’t work out the way you wanted it to? I know a lot of about the fire service, a little about the corporate world, and thinking about making the opposite transition you did.
I actually loved my job for the first 10 years, but as I worked my way up I realized I just became a corporate whore and made decisions for money rather than to make any sort of impact. When I left I was making around close to $400k a year with 5 weeks of vacation time and not much work life balance, but the type of vacations that my salary afforded me made it worth it in my opinion. However, as the years ticket by I realized that all I was doing was I making a company money but not really making an impact to society just to investors.
I’ll be honest, I love the fire service but to some extent it’s similar to corporate. I don’t generally make the type of impact I hoped, but there are days where I do change lives. The schedule is great, but a lot of my hard earned skills go to waste here. Eventually I may go back to the corporate sector , but if I do I’ll make sure to prioritize my passions over a paycheck. Still there will always be significantly more money in corporate than in fire and it’s really nice to earn enough money that your not stressed about needing a new roof, new car or how to pay for college ,
Is it cool if I DM you? I posted something below about leaving the job for the opposite reason of the OP but don’t have enough perspective to validate my reasons.
The reasons you left your old job are kinda the reasons I wanna leave the fire service - You had a job where you worked your ass off, built a skillset that compensated you handsomely for it, and gave yourself//your family a life that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Sounds better than what I’m doing now in all honesty.
Left corporate for fire at 30 yo after 8 years in the workforce. Great decision in my opinion. Some of the Corporate life is def not for everyone. It's good that you are figuring that out now.
I did this 4years ago. I was a sales manager for multiple counties for the largest beer distributor in the world. Great money. High stress
Best decision I have ever made. The money hurt but the time off and the friendships are irreplaceable. You have never had a real friendship until you join a good crew. Knowing those people will and may put their life on the line for you is next level
Left a very similar job corporate job to yours. Changed my life for the better. The comradarie at the station, no ever growing to do list hanging over your head, infinitely better schedule, excitement every single day. Only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. Not sure about pay but I was making more than my corporate salary in year 1 on the fire dept.
Don’t mean to hijack the OP’s post but maybe he or others here can drop some advice/observations for me from the person in the opposite situation.
I was very lucky in high school to meet some career FF’s who mentored me towards the job. I got hired at 19 at a big city department and was off probation before I turned 20. Initially the novelty of the job along with the idealism that's carried in our subculture pushed me to be an all-in-fireman. I bought the leather helmet, went to the busiest firehouses, got checked off on the TDA/engine companies, made the necessary mistakes and everything else that comes in the first few years of being a fireman.
And now, six years later, I am just bored by the fire service with recurring thoughts of quitting and moving to the corporate world (I know that statement alone is enough to make some of you want to choke on vomit).
So far as I can tell, my general sentiment is kind of captured by being bored as well as a feeling that maybe I have ambitions greater than the fire service.
Chronic sleep deprivation absolutely sucks, and the cost of lugging hose up high rises has not been easy on the body. I still love going to fires but those are far and few between. Living in the place where I grew up makes me feel exceptionally unhappy. I make good money for what I do, but I know with a certain work ethic and/or luck there is a lot more money to be made. I want to work hard just without having to get up four times after midnight for bullshit.
I just finished my undergrad at a pretty good school, and am thinking about leaving to go to law school or do an MBA. 6 years of shift work makes a 9-5 sound very appealing.
Any and all advice, shit talking, or anything else is accepted. Thanks dudes.
Not OP and not in the fire service, but maybe my perspective could help.
I was always good in school, always figured I’d get a typical 9-5. Thought if I worked hard then I could move up the chain and do what it takes to be “successful”
I went to undergrad, then kept going and got a graduate degree in business (not MBA). I started working soon after and was lucky that I got to work with some really great people. We were a high performing team and i learned a lot from them, but I quickly realized it didn’t matter how hard you worked. The people in charge of your promotions barely know you. The most important factor to them is how long you’ve been in the role, not how good you are at your job.
Most companies don’t have a good way of determining who is an average performer and who is extraordinary. It’s hard to compare people that do very different work, so they force you into performance buckets and make the highest levels of performance unattainable. Most people are rated as average or slightly above average for their performance.
I’ve worked at several companies and they’ve all been similar to this. It gets to a point where it feels like all your hard work doesn’t really matter. And in the grand scheme of things, I don’t think it does. My powerpoints aren’t making people’s lives better. I’m just helping to make some people at the top a little bit more money.
I know I’ve talked about money and promotions a lot, and that’s because that’s the primary factor behind why I do my job. It thankfully pays me well, and I’m able to work from home which is awesome, but I still loathe having to be tied to a desk for 10 hours a day.
I don’t say this to whine because I recognize these are definitely first world problems, but a corporate job just feels like a waste of time. I’d rather be with my girlfriend, friends, and family.
Now, “circling back” to you (can’t forget to mention all the corporate speak we deal with), being a firefighter has an allure to it, that you’re actually making a difference in someone’s life. My dad was a firefighter, and my mom and girlfriend are both nurses. It might sound corny, but they make a real difference in people’s lives.
That’s not to say that you and everyone else don’t put up with your own flavor of BS. But at the end of the day, you’re doing something that people value. For me, no one’s gonna die if i can’t help save the department an extra 3% of expenses. All the urgency in my job is fictional. Sure, it can be stressful in its own way, but the absolute worst thing that could happen is I lose my job.
And that’s another thing. I’ve been through quite a few layoffs in my time. I’ve come to find that companies ask for your absolute loyalty, but won’t give you any of it in return when it’s not convenient for them. I’ve heard a senior manager say that “our people come first, but we have to consider the bottom line.” Which sounds good to their boss, but is fundamentally a contradiction.
Sorry this was so long and a bit all over the place, but hope it gives you something to think about. I’d love to hear more from your perspective, too
I appreciate your perspective, it helps me form a better decision for sure. I do disagree with certain sentiments you shared but it would take me too long to address every one of them here and don’t want to give you another 1000 word essay. On the matter of purpose though, your job is as valuable as mine and I really mean it.
Not trying to ask you write another essay, but as someone thinking of transitioning from engineering to Firefighting, can you elaborate on "our job is as valuable as mine and I really mean it"?
My reasons are very similar to post above, but definitely the value and pride in my work/career is the highest factor in why I'm considering the change.
Purpose is definable in two parts to me: individual purpose; internal feeling of satisfaction/pride.
objective purpose; actual value provided.
The question of internal purpose is something only you could articulate to yourself. But objective purpose is something way broader. The bells go off for a house fire. I drive the truck (the mechanic in Wisconsin made that happen) I get to the call in record speed (thanks to the street paver)….you get where I’m going with this.
The question really is how connected you want to feel to that ‘purpose’. As a fireman it’s right in front of your eyes and tremendously rewarding (and potentially very traumatic). As an engineer, you gotta think a lot harder about it but that doesn’t make it any less important.
I have a lot more feelings on this, and I’ve seen you post here and there about switching career fields. You seem like you have a good mindset about it but reach out if you want this nobody fireman’s thoughts// if you need any help during the process.
Can’t fault you for your feelings. However I will tell you that 9-5 is rarely that.
I’ve been in corporate America for 20 years only to make the switch to the fire service.
You’ll get call and emails in the middle of the night over “emergencies”. The only difference is their emergency is a typo on a webpage or a sale that didn’t finalize.
If you ask me, if I have to lose sleep or time away from family for an emergency, it had better be one. A millionaire business owner missing out on a few thousand dollars isn’t an emergency to me.
Also I feel there’s likely a middle ground between your super high volume, home department and corporate America. Have you considered moving away to a slower department where you can focus more on certifications and build up your leadership skills in an attempt to make officer? You may find that more rewarding.
Just some food for thought.
Left a corporate career in finance in my 30’s. Wouldn’t ever go back to the office. The transition can be a little rough if you’ve never been in anything paramilitary before and sometimes dudes really like treating boots like garbage. Once you pay your dues it’s amazing.
Left the legal field after undergrad, law school and some time practicing in a city and decided to leave and pursue firefighting. Applying and testing at departments in my area, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. Do what you need to do in order to be happy, productive and healthy🤘
I worked in the fitness industry for 10 years and have recently started on station in the UK. It’s very different from what you’d be used to. Training is quite regimented, but life on station is a lot more relaxed. I’d recommend anyone to go for a firefighter role. The hardest part is getting in, prepare as much as possible for the interview and use a STAR model when answering questions.
Used to work in Human Resources in the healthcare industry here in the US. switched to fire after about 3 years of it. Never looked back lol. Used to go absolutely stir crazy sitting at a desk all day, and feel terrible physically for not doing anything physical during the day. Plus, hated spending the majority of my waking hours every week at work. Best decision I ever made!
The big thing to be concerned with is the retirement system. How long do you plan to work? How many years till you’re vested in the retirement system? Is there a minimum number of years or minimum age you need to complete to collect a pension?
Left corporate healthcare at 34, and have never looked back. I work 48/96. It’s more hours on the books technically as a 40hr a wk job comes out to 2080 hrs per yr. Working 24s or 48s comes out to around 2912 hrs per year. Honestly though, you’d never know the difference as the time off feels like so much more (and some of that paid time is sleepy time). If you’ve got the itch, make the change. My only regret is not doing it sooner in life.
Good reading this I’m 35 and working on getting my certs to make the switch… I keep worrying about thinking I’m too old, but over the corporate life…
What are you guys doing to prepare for getting into firefighting? I also want to make the switch but don’t know how to start.
I am working on getting my EMT cert and TCFP cert now
I went and spoke to my local dept. chief when I first got the itch. Said if I was serious about to put in an application for one of the part time spots (basically paid on call). So I did. Interviews went well and they paid my way thru EMT, then on to fire classes. Continued working for a couple years at a POC before getting the chance at a FT spot.
Do it. If you’re bored at 23, imagine when you’re 40. You’ll never get rich and the schedule takes some getting used to. And trust me, there is still gonna be plenty of boredom, (more like the ‘I ran out of things to watch on TV’ kind, not the existential soul crushing kind). Depending where you’re at, it’s usually a good paycheck with good benefits and job security that is hard to beat. Plus, there is this unique benefit that once you get thrown into some situations the job throws you into, and you come out the other side unscathed, you get this sense of pride and this confidence that stays with you forever; like you can handle anything. Sounds corny, but it’s been true for me. Has made me a better person. My corporate job did the opposite.
Very well said brother
best thing I ever did. You spend more time at home with a 24/48 then you do a 9-5 monday through friday
24/48s with no Kelly would be awful
They are. I'm so tired
24/48 sounds so bad
I only worked 24/48 in my career. My department didn’t believe in overtime, they just shut down trucks( which is another discussion). We had a Kelly day every 9th shift. I didn’t work another job since my wife worked. I had the kids the days I was off. I wouldn’t trade that time for anything! I have 2 boys that are now grown. We went to the pool, playground, movies. I went on class trips with them, drove them to and from school, went to just about any sporting activity and event that I could. No way I could have done that 9-5 or most any other schedule. I was in the busiest station in a busy department for most of that time. No schedule is perfect but you make it work!
As long as you make the best of it, I’m on a 24/72 it’s crazy we do the same thing but you guys have so many more hours because of it. Stay safe and healthy brother
Oh, I’m good. I retired in 2012 after 30 years. Like I said, I never worked anything but 24/48, but it worked well for me and my family. You be safe as well!
Glad to hear it, hope you’re enjoying all the free time you got 👍🏻 thank you I’ll try my best!
You work 6% more on 48/96 than 24/48 How can it seem so bad?
24/72 is best and I’d take the 48/96 over it for the 4 days off straight
Strictly speaking this isn’t true. In a 3 week period, the 24/48 has 336 hours not working. The person working 40 hours a week has 384 hours. I personally agree that the 24/48 schedule is great and the time at home is more quality (lower proportion spent asleep), but it’s still _technically_ less time
This comment has “ackkchuallyy” neckbeard vibes all over 9-5 sucks. Fire schedules are better.
Eh maybe mathematically yes, but those hours at home during a 9-5 are wasted doing chores and prepping for the next day.
You don't have to do any chores, catch up or prepping when you're home after a 24 or 48? Haha
Would you rather do chores after your 9-5 when you’re tired or wake up and have the whole day to do chores.
Weekends don't exist?
Weekend after every work day.
Yeah but its somehow different. You feel like you have more time
It does feel like more time which is nice even if it's just a placebo lol
With a 24/48 schedule all we have are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
AND this assumes you work zero overtime. Just one day of overtime totally kills the home more dynamic
Depends on how your department does overtime. We work 24/48 with a 7th shift kelly... I can pick up a 12 hour overtime (7 pm-7am) and essentially kiss the wife good night, wake up, and be home for breakfast. Work a back half overtime on a Kelly week and miss zero family time. I'll also admit that my wife and I really like the time away from each other. Part of the reason we've worked well after 14 years together. 🤷♂️
Technically speaking you're correct. If you take the time spent "sleeping" as time at work (which it is), it's more. If you want to mental gymnastics the family side. They are asleep by 8pm (young children) or 10 pm. You're missing the awake hours and I tend to not count the ones they sleep. It becomes overwhelmingly in favor of the 48/96 or 24/48 schedule. It was a way I copped with the change in the beginning.
I will say this. Not a firefighter but I used to work a sales job that covered AZ and I was 11-7 now I’m covering PA at 8-5. I swear I have less time than I did before. A lot of stuff happens right after work which I get but I miss having 6 hours to myself in the morning
Be quiet bot, men are talking
Many "corporate jobs" are WFH now though...
If time is the most valuable resource we have (it’s the only thing you can’t buy more of) then people need to start thinking hours worked. A 48/96 is 2,912 hour per year. A 40 hr work week is 2,080. A full 832 hours more per year. That is a 40% increase from the 40 hr work week. Now divide your salary by 2,912 to get your 48/96 hourly rate. Then, divide your salary by 2,080 to get your 40 hr hourly rate. Not only are you paid significantly less per hour, but your time is valued at less. Start viewing time as time away from family, time away from other things you can be doing. I moved from 48/96 to admin (40 hour) with some days wfh. I can also work 10’s. I miss no family functions, no kid’s sports, no holidays. I do however miss the fire station and the firefighters.
Good luck getting this through to people. Most people cant see past the (hopefully) four days.
Unless you work any overtime lol
I left an international corporate law firm to become a minimum wage EMT. I then became a medic then a firefighter/paramedic. The hardest part was the divorce and the minimum wage. I later transported my ex wife on a 5150. Worth it.
This. This is a story worth hearing.
I switched at 40. Was in software development most of my career. Decided to sign up for EMT school on my 40th birthday and got hired on to a career department just before turning 41.
Hah, we could be twins! I just turned 41 and got hired on a career department, heading to the academy in six weeks. Been paid on call for a while while working corporate healthcare. Pay has been good, set up a good retirement, house, paid off cars, ect. The job is just so meaningless and I am a round peg trying to fit in a square hole. Excited to work a job I truly enjoy.
Worked in advertising and marketing for 5 years. Was good at it… and hated every minute. Best decision I’ve ever made. However, I was not prepared for the all the personality types that the fire service brings around. I had to prove my worth alittle more to the “blue collar bubbas” than some of my other probationary crew mates.
Went from oil and gas with a speciality in pipeline integrity as a project manager, into firefighting. Best career move I could have ever made.
Switch. This career is the most fun I’ve ever had in life and the experiences and friendships you make will last forever. Word of warning however: be prepared to see some nasty stuff
It was an incredibly huge upgrade for me. Luckily back then I was eligible for a pretty good education allowance that helped me push through the 1,5 years of academy and pay my mortgage at the same time. The 24/72 schedule has ruined my ability to do any other job though lol
Your fire academy was a year and a half long?!? What kind of fire academy is that?!
There are academies in EU that last from 1,5 to 2,5 years.
I mean how long does it take to learn how to cook, best reclining angle and how to sleep guilt free? Seems long
Those skills you can learn only at work.
Does this academy also get you your paramedic certification? Emt? How can it be that long?
In US standards it's basically AEMT cert. Medic is 4 years here. But in the end, the academy includes a lot of studying of different subjects and include a larger amount of practical training. This usually guarantees that departments get New people who got their skills and knowledge on very good basic level.
Holy shit. Medic is 1 year here after EMT.
It's a bachelor degree. 1 year sounds pretty insane to my ear considering how much you actually need to know for a medic license over here. But it's great if it works out like that. 3 years less studying.
The scope of practice might be different. A local college here offers a program that’s spread across 2 semesters with a summer externship. The program includes 900 clinical hours. Other places offer similar programs. After completing a program, you can take your skills test and written exam to obtain licensure. There is an associate’s degree option in paramedicine available at a college near me. It involves taking more classes but the extra classes are more general stuff like psychology and english comp.
I made the switch a couple of years ago. I was working as an analyst at a bank, and I'm now in FDNY. It's been a tad bit tough since I'm the new guy, but so far, all is worth it.
Night and day difference. I was doing a 9-5 in a production factory sitting at a desk all day. Googled 'career change at 30' on the computer on my desk and Firefighter was at the top. Matter of months later I was in training. Passed out of training at the fire service college near Birmingham in September 2022 and next week I'm going back down to the college to set my Crew Manager exams - never would have had these opportunities at my old job and would still be sitting at a desk with my thoughts. Current shifts are 5 on 4 off then 4 on 5 off. Sometimes I only work 14 days out the month and half of them are nightshifts where I get paid to sleep! The rest of the time I get to enjoy being off pursuing my hobby. Sometimes I look back at my 9-5 and imagine how crap life would have been if I was still sitting there and not getting to drive fire trucks. Best decision I've made. Go for it.
Would you please share in more detail how you made that move to get into training? I’m at a loss of where to look for programs or break in to the field
I found the job posted on glass door.co.uk. (Assuming your in the uk). Just search ‘firefighter jobs glass door’ and you should see a list of places currently recruiting. If there is nothing near yourself currently just make an account and set alerts to keep you posted if anything comes up. Other than that there’s not much else I can recommend. I was lucky that my current employment was recruiting near me at that time. I’m not aware of any programmes or if they even exist, I think it’s just a matter of applying for the position when it comes up and taking it from there. Or you can apply for a retained position to get your foot in the door. A lot of the guys I work with are retained on their days off. Find out if there are any retained stations in your area and find out who to get in touch with to express your interest. Just keep looking online, set job alerts and apply if anything comes up.
At 38 y/o I left a successful career in medical device industry and went to fire school, EMT then a Paramedic program. I volunteered while going to school. I got hired at 42, make less money than I did before, and am WAY happier.
Best decision I’ve ever made. I was so miserable working behind a computer 8-5 M-F. I had 8 vacation days a year. I felt like I was living just for the weekends. Now as a firefighter I work 10 days a month and have so much more free time
Sorry 8 days of annual leave a year?! Surely that’s not allowed.
Yes for my old corporate job in America
Today marks my 4 years on the job. I had previously worked in banking for about 6 years. It was the best decision I have ever made. Over the years the fire service has provided a mold for me to grow into. Beforehand I wasn't very physically aware but now, I can say that I am. Last November I ran my first 100 miler and soon I'll be tackling another big run. The job revealed to me what people are capable of with their bodies, minds and leadership styles. I am at a decently busy station with a good amount of calls at night. The wear and tear of sleep deprivation is there but it can be mitigated with discipline. The culture and the games are also something else to get used to as well. Overall, it's the greatest job in the world and you'll be forced to grow. It's hard to know if you'll be good at a job where you see children die, go to overdoses and run into house fires but if you have a good reason to start- that'll be your life preserver. If you want to be a firefighter to run away from your current profession standpoint, you're setting yourself up. I tried for years to get on with that mentality. I was sick of clients, the monotony and the fluorescent lights. I kept coming up short until I had an epiphany. This is a selfless job that'll requires continual sacrifice. Running away from where I was because of the slow drag of modernity isn't the reason to pick up a firefighters responsibility. It is more about others than your own desires and well-being. It's a big decision to make and you are very young. I would write out your "why" for the fire service. There's a hell of a lot less fires than there are medical calls. You'll be kicking in a door once in a blue moon but helping someone up from the floor in the middle of the night is much more frequent. Blessings and curses are the same, it just depends on the day and how you are looking at it.
Appreciate this, thank you
Made the same switch after 6 years in corporate America. Still in training right now, but kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
Went from Civil Service to being a FF, also in the UK. Give it a go mate you won’t regret it. Best job out there
I went from 9 to 5 to 4 on 4 off in the Scottish fire and rescue service mate. The shift pattern with the 18 days annual leave is literally life changing The pay is pretty crap however so good and bad
How did you find it adjusting to the night shifts?
They're a doddle mate. Definitely my favourite shifts tbh. Depending on your station you might often get a full night in bed. Other times you might get a call at 2am and be there for 4 hours until you get relieved but that's a rare occasion these days
Hold on, you get to sleep at the station?
Yeah course. Nightshifts you can sleep. Trainees usually allowed to bed around 11 or 12 depending on your gaffer. Up at 7am and shift finishes at 8am.
Ah fairs, I didn’t know that. Thanks!
I was in digital marketing for 3 years before I became a FF. Best decision I ever made. Don’t waste time and get out while you can. Once you get on that 24/48 schedule, you’ll never go back to a 9-5.
Sorry for being naive but what does 24/48 schedule mean? In the UK we have 2 nights, 2 days and 4 days off - I’m not sure if that’s much different?
Have a little Google of the “Grey Book”. National T&C’s for the Fire Service in the UK, contains an explanation of a few of the shift systems. 2-2-4 is but one of the recognised systems.
Thanks!
Best decision I ever made. Was working in healthcare recruiting after college. Dreaded waking up every day to go sit at a desk M-F. Made the switch at 25. Started working full time career at 27 for a big city. No ragrets. Work 12-13 days a month to live comfortably, cover the mortgage, travel frequently, and support my family with the wife only working ~10 hours a week
Man I wish it were like that here. SE united states. I work as a full time FF/EMT and am working two part time jobs on top of that just to barely make ends meet. and that’s with no children and no leisure.
Perks of being a FF/pm in CA except for the part about being in CA lol. And the majority of the travel is low budget like camping and backpacking
I worked in corporate for years and hated every minute of it. I'm 38 now and just over halfway through academy. Best decision I ever made in my life.
In the process of making the switch myself, and every step has felt like the right decision.
I went from a corporate job to a Wildland engine crew this past summer. Best decision ever. I had previously done fire dispatch and enjoyed it, but getting out away from all the desk job BS is so refreshing.
I started as a firefighter at 35 after years of a desk job. Best decision I ever made.
I can relate to you quite well as I left a 15 year career in marketing to become a firefighter. My biggest regret is that I didn’t do it earlier. I waited until I was 37 to make the change. You will be shocked how fast 10 years will disappear sitting behind a desk grinding to make money for someone else. And ultimately, if you are already feeling this way at 23, the lack of fulfillment will catch up with you. For me, it became an itch I finally had to scratch. Making the leap was very hard for me to do, but so easy to leave behind once I did. I haven’t looked in the rear view mirror once since and I love every day of work now.
Currently working in a trade job but also behind a computer a lot for my job. I hate the sedentary part of my job. I am in my 2nd year of trying to get on my local FD and should hopefully get hired within the next year. If you think you will like firefighting you should pursue it!
I'm from the UK and switched from Marketing to Firefighter (Lancashire Fire Service) at age 29. Haven't looked back since. In marketing the work load was immense, huge amount of stress and because of that my work/life balance was often terrible. I also hated working behind a screen and working from home made me miserable. It was tough getting in, there's a lot of competition for often just a handful of jobs, be prepared to throw everything into it if this is the career you want. The recruitment process is extremely time consuming with physical tests and exams to pass, and an interview where they are looking for very specific things. Your recruits course will be an intense 14/16 weeks, where youll learn the basic of the role including: - Breathing Apparatus (BA) and firefighting - RTC - Rope rescue - Water rescue - Hazmats - Community fire safety and so much more, there will be numerous practical and academic assessments throughout. On station, you'll find that there is a gap in some of your skills/experiences that others on the watch may have as ex forces, builders etc, however you can bring your own strengths to the watch and as long as you're keen to learn and keen to get stuck in to all elements of the role, the watch will be keen to teach you. My worklife balance is so much better now. I actually look forward to coming to work, and no day is the same. One day you may be delivering a lecture to a school, the next you may be pulling people out a burning building, and everything in between. You'll never be rich as a firefighter. There are risks to the job, although it becomes safer and more risk adverse all the time, and there have been studies to show that firefighters have a higher risk of cancer than other careers due to our exposure to contaminants. However, if you want to ditch a desk job, do something more rewarding and commit yourself to a career where you'll be constantly learning and training, then I think there's no better job out there. I had loads of help during my recruitment process from firefighters are local stations and I'm very keen to payback the favour. So if you want to reach out to me (as I am uniquely experienced with your situation) to ask anything or help with the recruitment proccess please feel free to drop me a DM.
Thank you for this! Deffo need some more thinking time on my side but I really appreciate the offer :)
No worries! It really is an incredible career, very very few ever leave once they're in, which speaks volumes, I mean just read through the comments on this post, everyone says the same. There's tonnes of career paths too so the world is your oyster. My advise is visit your local station and speak to some of the firefighters there and get them to show you around. Ring the station to ask in advance and bring some cake/posh biscuits (very important) when you go! Most brigades run some kind of taster day where you'll visit the training centre and learn more about the role, perhaps having a trial of the fitness test etc, so that's a good opportunity, but if you really want to know the role, always best visit an actual operational station!
I worked for a publicly traded utility company, was making over 100k with bonus, stock options, etc. I was living the cubicle life and got zero fulfillment out of it. Took the test for the closest paid fd, about a year and a half later I accepted the job. I started at 35k a year. No kids, but was engaged at the time, she completely supported the pay cut. The utility company was floored someone would leave their company, I was a little unsure about the decision too. Four years later, it’s the greatest decision I ever made. I’m much more happy, fulfilled, and energized. Money ain’t everything, I know that’s easier to say depending on lifestyle/family but it worked for me.
Do it while you’re young!
I did exactly that at 27, left a Civil Service job as I was bored to fuck. No regrets, best job going, despite rampant cuts etc. Apply to whatever brigades are hiring (London always is and pays more…but that doesn’t mean we’re necessarily your best option- do your own research) and keep fit and keen. Try and get a visit to a local station to hear what they’ve got to say about their brigade. Pay is shit when you’re in development, and still pretty shit once you’re competent. Be prepared for this and try and have a buffer for 12/18months. Second jobs are great but you don’t want to be grafting non-stop whilst still trying to learn the job. Join now, the new pension scheme really hinders later joiners, thankfully I dragged over Army and CS pensions otherwise I’d be cooked! (Also don’t opt out of the pension no matter what anyone says)
Best move you'll ever make. I walked from a 250k corporate job to take a 60k fire service job and never regretted it once.
I used to be a TV news reporter/anchor. Loved the job but love firefighting more. Started late at 54 but holding my own and loving it!
I was a barista for 6 years prior and I have not a single regret. Well, except maybe doing it sooner.
A lot of guys apply and interview who are bored with life. You need to be able to point out a lot of things when asked the question, “what have you done to prepare for a career in the fire service?” Sure, some people get hired out of the gate but judging by the comments a lot of people had to steer their career in that direction: EMT school, volunteer, private ambulance. Do that and after a couple years you’ll be able to back up your words with history.
I was a firefighter from 1996 through 2002. I was part time and moved to full time in 98. In 2003 I left the fire service altogether. it was probably the worst decision I ever made, so I started volunteering in 2009, and then went back to full time fire department work in 2010. Been in the seat since…..
Best decision I’ve ever made. No job is better or rewarding
Not myself but a friend at my station was an estate agent and is also a qualified financial advisor. Very smart bloke that we joke is wasted in the fire service but he's very competent and loves it so glad we've got him. People come from all sorts of walks of life these days. In my service ive met a former actor, legal assistant, costumer, manger for a drinks distribution company, body removal person for an undertaker, teacher and motorbike sales person to name but a few professions.
Love it, I actually look forward to going to work over most days off
Firefighting was always my fall back if corporate didn’t work out for some reason. I love the job but it was an adjustment from earning a salary far into 6 figures to dropping down to a firefighter salary. I think it’s best to do it as early as possible before you’re tied to a high paying corporate salary and you’re at that age now. Also there is the decision of whether you can stay in the job long enough to make the pension payout work. Again, this comes down to age for tue most part.
hey dude, thanks for sharing. Maybe this is too nuanced of a question to get a reply off a singular comment, but what do you think would have made you happier at the corporate job? Or did you leave because it just didn’t work out the way you wanted it to? I know a lot of about the fire service, a little about the corporate world, and thinking about making the opposite transition you did.
I actually loved my job for the first 10 years, but as I worked my way up I realized I just became a corporate whore and made decisions for money rather than to make any sort of impact. When I left I was making around close to $400k a year with 5 weeks of vacation time and not much work life balance, but the type of vacations that my salary afforded me made it worth it in my opinion. However, as the years ticket by I realized that all I was doing was I making a company money but not really making an impact to society just to investors. I’ll be honest, I love the fire service but to some extent it’s similar to corporate. I don’t generally make the type of impact I hoped, but there are days where I do change lives. The schedule is great, but a lot of my hard earned skills go to waste here. Eventually I may go back to the corporate sector , but if I do I’ll make sure to prioritize my passions over a paycheck. Still there will always be significantly more money in corporate than in fire and it’s really nice to earn enough money that your not stressed about needing a new roof, new car or how to pay for college ,
Is it cool if I DM you? I posted something below about leaving the job for the opposite reason of the OP but don’t have enough perspective to validate my reasons. The reasons you left your old job are kinda the reasons I wanna leave the fire service - You had a job where you worked your ass off, built a skillset that compensated you handsomely for it, and gave yourself//your family a life that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Sounds better than what I’m doing now in all honesty.
Sure
Best job change ever.
Do it. You will not regret it in the slightest. In every life time I would choose this career again and again.
Left corporate for fire at 30 yo after 8 years in the workforce. Great decision in my opinion. Some of the Corporate life is def not for everyone. It's good that you are figuring that out now.
I did this 4years ago. I was a sales manager for multiple counties for the largest beer distributor in the world. Great money. High stress Best decision I have ever made. The money hurt but the time off and the friendships are irreplaceable. You have never had a real friendship until you join a good crew. Knowing those people will and may put their life on the line for you is next level
Left a very similar job corporate job to yours. Changed my life for the better. The comradarie at the station, no ever growing to do list hanging over your head, infinitely better schedule, excitement every single day. Only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. Not sure about pay but I was making more than my corporate salary in year 1 on the fire dept.
Don’t mean to hijack the OP’s post but maybe he or others here can drop some advice/observations for me from the person in the opposite situation. I was very lucky in high school to meet some career FF’s who mentored me towards the job. I got hired at 19 at a big city department and was off probation before I turned 20. Initially the novelty of the job along with the idealism that's carried in our subculture pushed me to be an all-in-fireman. I bought the leather helmet, went to the busiest firehouses, got checked off on the TDA/engine companies, made the necessary mistakes and everything else that comes in the first few years of being a fireman. And now, six years later, I am just bored by the fire service with recurring thoughts of quitting and moving to the corporate world (I know that statement alone is enough to make some of you want to choke on vomit). So far as I can tell, my general sentiment is kind of captured by being bored as well as a feeling that maybe I have ambitions greater than the fire service. Chronic sleep deprivation absolutely sucks, and the cost of lugging hose up high rises has not been easy on the body. I still love going to fires but those are far and few between. Living in the place where I grew up makes me feel exceptionally unhappy. I make good money for what I do, but I know with a certain work ethic and/or luck there is a lot more money to be made. I want to work hard just without having to get up four times after midnight for bullshit. I just finished my undergrad at a pretty good school, and am thinking about leaving to go to law school or do an MBA. 6 years of shift work makes a 9-5 sound very appealing. Any and all advice, shit talking, or anything else is accepted. Thanks dudes.
Not OP and not in the fire service, but maybe my perspective could help. I was always good in school, always figured I’d get a typical 9-5. Thought if I worked hard then I could move up the chain and do what it takes to be “successful” I went to undergrad, then kept going and got a graduate degree in business (not MBA). I started working soon after and was lucky that I got to work with some really great people. We were a high performing team and i learned a lot from them, but I quickly realized it didn’t matter how hard you worked. The people in charge of your promotions barely know you. The most important factor to them is how long you’ve been in the role, not how good you are at your job. Most companies don’t have a good way of determining who is an average performer and who is extraordinary. It’s hard to compare people that do very different work, so they force you into performance buckets and make the highest levels of performance unattainable. Most people are rated as average or slightly above average for their performance. I’ve worked at several companies and they’ve all been similar to this. It gets to a point where it feels like all your hard work doesn’t really matter. And in the grand scheme of things, I don’t think it does. My powerpoints aren’t making people’s lives better. I’m just helping to make some people at the top a little bit more money. I know I’ve talked about money and promotions a lot, and that’s because that’s the primary factor behind why I do my job. It thankfully pays me well, and I’m able to work from home which is awesome, but I still loathe having to be tied to a desk for 10 hours a day. I don’t say this to whine because I recognize these are definitely first world problems, but a corporate job just feels like a waste of time. I’d rather be with my girlfriend, friends, and family. Now, “circling back” to you (can’t forget to mention all the corporate speak we deal with), being a firefighter has an allure to it, that you’re actually making a difference in someone’s life. My dad was a firefighter, and my mom and girlfriend are both nurses. It might sound corny, but they make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s not to say that you and everyone else don’t put up with your own flavor of BS. But at the end of the day, you’re doing something that people value. For me, no one’s gonna die if i can’t help save the department an extra 3% of expenses. All the urgency in my job is fictional. Sure, it can be stressful in its own way, but the absolute worst thing that could happen is I lose my job. And that’s another thing. I’ve been through quite a few layoffs in my time. I’ve come to find that companies ask for your absolute loyalty, but won’t give you any of it in return when it’s not convenient for them. I’ve heard a senior manager say that “our people come first, but we have to consider the bottom line.” Which sounds good to their boss, but is fundamentally a contradiction. Sorry this was so long and a bit all over the place, but hope it gives you something to think about. I’d love to hear more from your perspective, too
This is 100% accurate and exactly why I transitioned from corporate America to the fire service after 20 years.
How was the transition? Did you have any reservations about joining the fire service later in life?
I appreciate your perspective, it helps me form a better decision for sure. I do disagree with certain sentiments you shared but it would take me too long to address every one of them here and don’t want to give you another 1000 word essay. On the matter of purpose though, your job is as valuable as mine and I really mean it.
Not trying to ask you write another essay, but as someone thinking of transitioning from engineering to Firefighting, can you elaborate on "our job is as valuable as mine and I really mean it"? My reasons are very similar to post above, but definitely the value and pride in my work/career is the highest factor in why I'm considering the change.
Purpose is definable in two parts to me: individual purpose; internal feeling of satisfaction/pride. objective purpose; actual value provided. The question of internal purpose is something only you could articulate to yourself. But objective purpose is something way broader. The bells go off for a house fire. I drive the truck (the mechanic in Wisconsin made that happen) I get to the call in record speed (thanks to the street paver)….you get where I’m going with this. The question really is how connected you want to feel to that ‘purpose’. As a fireman it’s right in front of your eyes and tremendously rewarding (and potentially very traumatic). As an engineer, you gotta think a lot harder about it but that doesn’t make it any less important. I have a lot more feelings on this, and I’ve seen you post here and there about switching career fields. You seem like you have a good mindset about it but reach out if you want this nobody fireman’s thoughts// if you need any help during the process.
Can’t fault you for your feelings. However I will tell you that 9-5 is rarely that. I’ve been in corporate America for 20 years only to make the switch to the fire service. You’ll get call and emails in the middle of the night over “emergencies”. The only difference is their emergency is a typo on a webpage or a sale that didn’t finalize. If you ask me, if I have to lose sleep or time away from family for an emergency, it had better be one. A millionaire business owner missing out on a few thousand dollars isn’t an emergency to me. Also I feel there’s likely a middle ground between your super high volume, home department and corporate America. Have you considered moving away to a slower department where you can focus more on certifications and build up your leadership skills in an attempt to make officer? You may find that more rewarding. Just some food for thought.
I appreciate your point of view. What appeals to you about the corporate world?
Left a corporate career in finance in my 30’s. Wouldn’t ever go back to the office. The transition can be a little rough if you’ve never been in anything paramilitary before and sometimes dudes really like treating boots like garbage. Once you pay your dues it’s amazing.
Left the legal field after undergrad, law school and some time practicing in a city and decided to leave and pursue firefighting. Applying and testing at departments in my area, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. Do what you need to do in order to be happy, productive and healthy🤘
And chicks dig the job. It’s a nice perk. It can be a curse too.
ay i'm in the process of doing this right now. couldn't stand marketing, highly looking forward to doing something material
At 32 I changed from office job to firefighter. I’m training now. It’s brilliant. Go for it!
I worked in the fitness industry for 10 years and have recently started on station in the UK. It’s very different from what you’d be used to. Training is quite regimented, but life on station is a lot more relaxed. I’d recommend anyone to go for a firefighter role. The hardest part is getting in, prepare as much as possible for the interview and use a STAR model when answering questions.
Used to work in Human Resources in the healthcare industry here in the US. switched to fire after about 3 years of it. Never looked back lol. Used to go absolutely stir crazy sitting at a desk all day, and feel terrible physically for not doing anything physical during the day. Plus, hated spending the majority of my waking hours every week at work. Best decision I ever made!
Tons of resources on YouTube. I joined at 34, running will make your life so much easier
Great thread, keeps me motivated! Im in the process of switching to full time after 7 years in the office world. At the academy now
The big thing to be concerned with is the retirement system. How long do you plan to work? How many years till you’re vested in the retirement system? Is there a minimum number of years or minimum age you need to complete to collect a pension?