Volunteer firefighters
Volunteer firefighters are losers– this is an impression in some societies due to their eagerness to find employment opportunities. It is a universal truth that all volunteer firefighters remain searching for permanent employment opportunities for a proper rank.
There are several reasons to become a volunteer firefighter, and similarly, there are also a few not to become a volunteer firefighter. In addition to the age factor, the following are the valid reasons not to become a volunteer firefighter.
Valid Reasons to not become a volunteer firefighter
Sacrificing the sleep
A volunteer has to run on the emergency call to quit the relaxing sleep and is supposed to perform a duty for hours in a fire suit weighing 80 pounds. This is what never happened to those youngsters who are not volunteer firefighters.
Although the research reflects that there are few people, other than volunteer firefighters, who enjoy comfortable bed rest, the reason might be any. These are a strange group of people in our communities.
However, becoming a volunteer firefighter is not an easy task as they have to respond to emergencies at any time by sacrificing their sleep.
 It has to kill the thought that helping others is wrong
It is an agreement on the thought that some egoistic people think it is not good to help others. Everybody should mind his own business and face the challenges of his life. The volunteer firefighter is required to change this thinking and build a passion for helping others without any benefit.
So, youngsters who have this egoistic thought can not become volunteers and should not join any fire service as volunteers.
Follow Sweat saves blood.
A volunteer firefighter is required to do some physical exercises and drills for the fitness purpose. People with lazy attitudes don’t prefer to lose even a drop of sweat. Therefore, they should not join the service as a volunteer firefighter.
Use of forceable entry tool
Sensitive people with emotional hearts can not use forceable entry tools like halogen tools, fireman exe, etc. Breaking windows and doors is not fun and leaves some psychological impacts on the volunteers.
Spending a long time on any fire incident that involves breaching the walls, windows, or doors is stressful for volunteer firefighters.
Afraid of fire
The encounter of firefighters with fire is a routine matter regardless of whether they are professional or volunteer firefighters. The volunteer firefighters came to the recruitment centers, and they confessed that they were afraid of fires. This is what we call a fire phobia.
Volunteers afraid of fire are not fit to work as volunteer firefighters. Therefore, youngsters who have this phobia should stay away from the process of becoming firefighters.
Afraid of red lights and sirens
Interestingly, there are few candidates who came to the recruiting centers and accepted that they are even afraid of red lights and sirens. The condition of being afraid of red lights and sirens is not fit to become a volunteer firefighter.
Final thoughts
As a final thought, volunteer firefighters are people who willingly work to help others and dedicate their efforts and time to serve their communities. Â Becoming a volunteer firefighter is not an easy job as it requires sacrificing sleep, killing egoistic thoughts, going through a physical fitness process, and above all, overcoming the phobia of fire, red lights, and emergency sirens. If you are ready to afford all these then go ahead. As in the real world, volunteer firefighters are the real heroes in our communities, and these are also our unsung heroes.
Hi, I am John Smit a Captain in Fire Department City of Newyork with over years of experience in the field of Firefighting and HSE. My passion for fire safety started when I was a young boy and witnessed a neighbor’s house go up in flames along with precious lives. Since then, I had dedicated my life to ensuring the safety of buildings, properties, and individuals in case of a fire and medical emergencies.