Why Are You A Volunteer Firefighter?
I'm not sure about the rest of the country, but around here, a volunteer firefighter gets per call, has to buy his own uniforms and puts his life on the line when he answers a call!
That sure doesn't make it sound like something a person would want to do, does it?
Yet in every little town, and larger towns, across the country, people do it every day! Thank the Lord!
Here at Firefighter, we'd like to know what makes a volunteer firefighter tick? What's in it for you? Why did you become a volunteer firefighter and why do you stay at it?
Please take a few minutes and let us know why you are a volunteer! Scroll down to read a few of the responses!
If you would like your name or location added, please add them to your text as I have not been recieving the names and emails typed in box.
Want to try a short quiz on protective equipment?
Click Here!
Reasons Why Some Of Our Visitors Became Firefighters!
Scott from Baldwin County, Ga.writes: 3/28/05
The physical and mental challenges, the satisfaction of helping out my
own community, the knowledge to be able to DO something in the event of
an emergency, the unique opportunities to change lives for the better,
and taking part in a respectable and honorable profession. Just a few
reasons...
Scott Harlow
Baldwin County Fire Rescue
Baldwin County, GA
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A firefighter from Allen Township V.F.D. writes:
The reason why I'm a volunteer firefighter is, when I was
5 years old my father joined the Allen Township V.F.D. across the
street from our house. I remember being in elementary school and even in
high school laying in my bed in the early morning hours and hearing the
pager go off for the fire department, I would wait for my dad to get
dressed and when I heard the back door shut I would jump out of bed and
look out the window that faced the fire station and watch him run across
the street. I would look out that window until there were no more
firemen coming to the station or until I could not see any of the emergency
lights. Now I'm 26 years old and have been a member of the same fire
department that my dad retired from. (Allen-Clay Joint Fire District
Station #1) I've been on the department for 5 years. I realized that it is
not the lights and sirens that make you want to be a volunteer firemen
or E.M.T. It is the comittment that you made to help out when eve
r there is a call. But the best part of being a Volunteer Firefighter
is the Thank-you's that you get at the mall of grocery store from a
patients family member who appreciates what you did for their family. We
do get paid a little bit but its quarterly so the check you recieve
helps out basically for the gas used to get to the station. But honestly I
would not change any of it for the world. I honestly love being a
Volunteer Firefighter and E.M.T.
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Another from Mukilteo,Wa. writes:
I think as kids we all wanted to be a fireman. Yes I said
fireman not firefighter. Please enought PC.
I worked as a Army Medic in the 70's came home and went on to school as an aircraft engineer. Years went by and I moved to a small town in
Washington state call Mukilteo. I was given the chance to become a Vol
firefighter. (yes I know PC) I have done it for 5 years now and love every
second of it. Plus I get a chance to give something back to the city I
live in and all of it's great people. I could go on & on, but I think
you may understand why I do this.
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Why I'm A Firefighter! Jan. 2005
When you do something such as being a Volunteer Fireman,
you get great satisfaction knowing that you are helping the people in
the community by doing something not everyone can do. Even though my
full time job is also being a firefighter, I was a Volunteer long before.
Our Volunteer dept gets paid absoulutly nothing, so why do we do it. 1
example comes to mind for me. My parents worked there whole life to get
what they wanted. They're now retired and have the home of there
dreams. What if that hoouse caught fire. Should their dreams be shattered
because no one shows up. I think not. It takes a tough person (man or
woman) to do the job. Is risking my life to save a small child from a
burning home for free worth it. Every bit of it. I hope it never happens
again, but I have had that opportunity to rescue a 4 month old child form
a burning residence. The thanks of the childs family and the look of
relief on the mother face is all the payment i could ever need.
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On 1/29/05 a Firefighter writes:
I take on this job as a volunteer fireman, to give me a
self satisfaction that I can do something that not everyone else can do.
Since I was a little one I have been hanging around the firehouse. I
had my application in before I was even old enough to join. Its a
passioninate job that I love to do. Im carrying on the family tradition and
loving every minute of it. The fire service betters me in my life and
keeps me out of trouble. The best feeling in the world is lending a
helping hand and voluntarily doing it.
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