A Day in the Life of a Firefighter

I conducted an interview with a firefighter named "Brady" working near the Raleigh, NC area. I conducted the interview in the living room of his 3-bedroom house in a quiet country neighborhood in the southeast area of the Triangle region.

We sat on opposite couches in the living room facing a beautiful fireplace, the centerpiece of the room. The sunlight gazed through the windows filling the room with a brightness and coolness as the evening air began to enter the open panes. It was a very comfortable and casual setting.

The first question I asked him was for his job title. He stated that he was considered a Firefighter II on his department. Firefighters move up in ranks as they complete courses, certifications, and gain more experience. They start out as a basic Firefighter I. Based on his answer, I thought it appropriate to ask what academic courses and training he had completed prior to getting the job. He explained that before getting on the department, he completed a two-year fire science degree in Fire Protection Technology. He also mentioned that every department is different. Most departments will only hire men and women with a few years of volunteer experience, but many departments now require you to go through their basic 6-month-long fire recruit academy. To be accepted into the academy, you don't have to have any experience, you just need to meet the minimum qualifications asked by the department.

A firefighter's day is never a typical one. Brady arrives at his station around 7:00 am. Their workday begins 30 minutes later at 7:30 am. At Brady's department they work 24-hour shifts. His workday won't end until 8:00 am the next morning. Then I asked him, "Well, if you're not on a call, then what do you guys do?" He explained that they have plenty of things to keep themselves occupied throughout the day, including daily physical fitness and fire & rescue training. After 5:00 pm, they have their free time - they can eat dinner, watch television, go to bed early, workout, etc. But, even though this is their free time, many times their activity may be interrupted by the sound of the fire alarm, and the dispatcher calling out their next assignment.

In this city, as in many other cities and counties, firefighters are dispatched at the same time as the EMS (Emergency Medical Service). The firefighters typically arrive before the EMS get to the location. Firefighters are required to be EMT-certified for this reason, often handling the situation until the EMS gets there. So, as you can see, they witness more than just fires, but also motor vehicle accidents, medical aids, and more. Some examples of actual cases he's been to include: a man having heart problems, a drug overdose, a car fire, a house fire, and a child being hit by a car.

When I asked Brady what he likes most about his career, he first states that it's the schedule. He says, "It allows me to spend a lot of time with my family, and it also allows me to plan at least a year in advance." He also says that it's a very rewarding career because "not only am I performing the duties of my job, but at the same time, I'm helping people.

As I have learned, there are special skills required for success in this career - you've got to be physically fit and mentally strong. You have to be able to handle emergency situations that can be both uncomfortable and emotional. Brady adds, "It's hard not to take emotions home after responding to unfortunate emergency situations."

I asked Brady if he had any advice or helpful hints to give an aspiring firefighter in being successful in the field. He stresses to " get all the on-the-job training you can by volunteering; and education is a must for advancement." He also adds "to work hard everyday. Your crew is like your family. Work together as a team."

From this interviewing experience, I've learned that the job opportunities for firefighters are excellent. They are needed all around the country. At the same time, it is a very popular career, therefore, very competitive to get into.

This interview turned out to be a total success. It opened my eyes to what a firefighter really is. Not just a person that extinguishes our fires, but a respectable member of our community that risks their lives everyday to help others.