What is it actually like being a firefighter?

Working for the fire department can be stressful but it is like no other job. Being a firefighter means being able to give back to the community. You’ll play a very important role in the protection of your neighbors and others in your town. It’s an incredible way to “pay it forward” and help those who really need it!

Do firefighters sleep all day?

A: Sort of. Firefighters often spend 24 hours at a time at the firehouse followed by 48 hours off duty. During this time they eat, sleep, shower, work and relax at the firehouse. So, they essentially live at the firehouse for approximately 1/3 of their career.

Does being a firefighter shorten your life?

Firefighters have shorter life expectancies than the average population and are three times more likely to die on the job, partly due to inherent risks, physical and mental stresses, and exposures to toxic and carcinogenic compounds released in smoke (source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, University of Cincinnati).

Do firefighters get good sleep?

Firefighters often don’t get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to real problems, including safety concerns. For anyone who has worked in the fire service, this is hardly news. One of the most difficult adjustments for new firefighters can be the shift work: the 10/14 split, the 24- or 48-hour workday.

Do firefighters have beds?

Usually a large room with a bunch of beds, sometimes Murphy-bed style (pull-down from the wall), cots or even bunk beds. These rooms are usually shared with firefighters on other shifts (so you don’t ever sleep in the same room), but allow a little more privacy and a chance to get some better sleep.

Do firefighters get paid while they sleep?

If they do not receive at least five hours of uninterrupted sleep, they will be paid for the entire eight-hour sleep period. Individuals who do not hold other positions with the municipality will be scheduled for 24-hour shifts and paid an hourly wage while performing firefighting duties.

At what age do most firefighters retire?

The average retirement age for most firefighters nowadays is fifty-seven. While you may have heard that firefighters can retire at fifty with nearly all of their salary, that’s a myth not based on fact. Some firefighters retire earlier, some later, but most retire after around thirty years of service.

Which profession is happiest?

The 10 Happiest and Most Satisfying Jobs

• Dental Hygienist.
• Physical Therapist.
• Radiation Therapist.
• Optometrist.
• Human Resources Manager.

Do firefighters do nothing?

When not fighting fires, firefighters spend all day responding to medical emergencies and other types of calls, checking equipment, vehicle maintenance, housework/cleaning, writing reports, training and education, physical fitness, public safety demos, and station tours.

What is the daily life of a firefighter?

A Day in the Life of a CHFR Firefighter. This is a look at an average day for firefighters within the Cedar Hammock Fire Department. A firefighter’s work week averages 56 hours per week being on duty 24 hours and off duty the next 48 hours.

What is a typical day for a firefighter?

A Typical Day for a Firefighter. At around 10:00 p.m., Firefighters retire to the bunkroom to sleep. During this time, Firefighters are still available for immediate response to emergencies. The shift ends the following morning at 8:00 a.m. with the in-coming shift change.

What do firefighters do daily?

Firefighters use chemical principles on a daily basis, especially when choosing the right type of extinguisher in combating chemical or industrial fires. They must apply the right type and amount of extinguisher to fires.