Am I being selfish?

[hoosierdaddy]

Sorry, I did not know where to post this question.

My fiancee is not entirely keen on me wanting to be a firefighter. I don't think she understands why I want to do it; she thinks I have a death wish. Anyways, is firefighting a job one should get into before getting married or am I being selfish to want to get into it after getting married?

[Pancho]

Personally I think its a noble cause. Granted that you are in it for the right reasons. I'm recently married and a volunteer FF and my wife worries, but she still supports me. I think you need to just sit down and have a good talk with her. And perhaps even think about the pros/cons yourself if you are questioning it. She's just worried about your safety more than anything.

[polecat]

It's not unusual for young brides to worry about their man not coming home from work. This fear will eventually wane, when the paycheques start rolling in and she discovers how well she sleeps when the the blanket thievin', log sawin', gas bag, is workin' night shift. Follow your dream dude,I guarantee she will support your endeavour, cause we all know, chicks dig fireman.

[chuckbrooks]

I would agree with most of that. Realize that she still gets a vote on whether she wants to support you or not. And it's going to make things very difficult if she doesn't. She probably has questions. Probably worried a lot about things that she doesn't know much about. While it might not get rid of all of her concern (she probably won't ever be totally comfortable with the risks involved), the more she knows about the lifestyle, your goals and desire to help people (a selfless act that will come in handy as a husband and a father), and the more that she feels included in that service part of your life, the easier the adjustment will be for her. If you've got buddies in the department with down to earth wives, it might not be a bad idea to introduce them. Good luck

[RESERVEFORNOW]

I don't think she understands why I want to do it.


Like the fire service, marriage needs open, honest communication. By your comment, it appears that perhaps you have not totally explained to her your motivation. If this is the case, get it done and hopefully you can procede with her support. Good luck to you.

[BCLepore]

This topic comes up on a fairly regular basis. It is extremely important that you and your wife are on the same page. If not you will either lose your maggiage or your job.
Being married to a firefighter is not an easy thing to do. I believe it takes a special person to be married to one of us.
Here is a chapter my wife wrote on what it is like to be married to a firefighter. I encourage you to share it with your bride.

Firefighting: A Wife’s Perspective

From the beginning of our relationship, I knew this would be different. We could only see each other on red and green days, and I could only call him at work after 9am or before 9pm, and never at mealtime. No one warned me what it would be like to date a firefighter.

After I met his family, I was introduced to his firefighter family- the 3 crewmembers he spent 10 24-hour shifts with each month. They knew everything about me. I came to realize that I would have to be willing to share him with his coworkers, both on and off duty.

It didn’t take long for me to learn the peculiarities of fire department etiquette. When I visited the fire station for the first time, I had to bring a pie. In fact, whenever a firefighter does something for the first time, whether it’s buying a house, being mentioned in the news, or having a child, he or she must bring ice cream for the crew.

On birthdays, firefighters bring in their own cake. When they get promoted or reassigned to a new station, they cook their own farewell meal for their coworkers. It became evident to me that firefighters are more comfortable serving others than being served.

When we became more serious in our relationship and eventually married, the church and reception hall were filled with firefighters and their families. The happiness of one was celebrated joyously with the rest (of course, after all the jokes of bringing running shoes for the groom). The birth of children, purchase of a home, or completion of a college degree is all celebrated as if it were close family members achieving these successes.

I could see that firefighters are bonded in a special way. They spend 24 hours at a time together, which is much more time than most family members spend with each other. They work together for a single purpose, whether it’s to save a life, put out the flames in a burning building, or educate children in fire safety. They must be willing to risk their lives for each other without hesitation.

Firefighters take care of each other. If one is going through a divorce, he or she is counseled, supported, and encouraged. If another is having difficulties with a rebellious teenager, many others can offer advice from their own experiences as parents. When a firefighter is trying to promote, he or she may carefully choose the next station assignment knowing that a certain crewmember will help with oral interviews or fire simulator problems.

When I first started dating my husband, I couldn’t believe that a 23 year old could own a home. He later explained that when he first started on the fire department, an older firefighter sat down with him and educated him on the importance of saving for and purchasing a home. He also taught him about deferred compensation, and how important it is to maximize his contributions from the very beginning. Thanks to the wisdom and caring of this older firefighter, and the magic of compounded interest for investments, my husband and I both maximized our retirement savings (his deferred comp, my 401K), and we will retire comfortably.

My husband has carried on this tradition of helping new recruits by educating them on financial investments and deferred compensation. Firefighters look out for each other in every way.

Everything in the fire service is done in a big way. The Long Beach Fire Department has the biggest grill I have ever seen. It is built on wheels and is towed behind a truck. I would have thought it was ridiculous if I hadn’t seen that every spot on the grill was being used. This grill is used for graduation ceremonies, department picnics, fundraisers, and all types of community events. Only a firefighter could have dreamed up that grill!

When a firefighter cooks, he or she cooks in a big way. It doesn’t seem to matter if it is a large station with several engine companies and rigs, or a station with a single engine company and a crew of four. There are always at least two refrigerators at the station to hold all the leftovers. When my husband is at home, he carries on the tradition and cooks enough to feed an army. I also have two refrigerators in my home.

Maybe firefighters are just trained to think in a big way. But along with big ladders and big trucks come big responsibilities.

When I was dating my future husband, I was a student in the physical therapy program at California State University, Long Beach. I was taking anatomy and physiology classes, and interested in the medical side of his job. He was still a paramedic at that time, and had not yet promoted to captain. He suggested that I ride along with him to see what he did. The television show ER didn’t hold a candle to the real life drama I witnessed.

It was pretty slow (he thought), and I accompanied him on calls responding to SOB (shortness of breath) and a drug overdose. We were just sitting down to an elaborate Mexican dinner, when another call came in. It was reported as a man down, gunshots heard. The crew responded immediately to the call.

When the paramedic rig and the fire engine arrived, there was a large, angry crowd gathered. The police had not yet arrived, so it was not known whether the assailant was still present in the crowd or had left. The victim was not even visible through the crowd. The captain, who always looks out for his crew, ensured that the police arrived to control the crowd and clear the area. The victim was a teenage boy with a gunshot wound to the chest.

He was hooked up to an EKG machine, given an IV for fluid and other medications, and the bleeding controlled as well as possible in the field. They kept in constant communication with doctors in the ER, so the medical staff could give further instructions, and was fully prepared for him when he arrived. Every crewmember was needed, whether it was to take vital signs, control bleeding, administer medication, fetch equipment, use the radio, or interview family members. I was in awe of how efficiently this team could work, with a critical victim in the field, poor lighting, a large, noisy crowd, and possibly an assailant who did not want this victim to survive.

The victim was rapidly transported to the ER, where the paramedic team was integrated into the hospital’s response, and they worked together to try to save this boy’s life. Within minutes his chest was cracked open, and there was the largest pool of blood I could imagine beneath the gurney. Even with CPR, repeated administration of cardiac medications, defibrillation, IV fluids, intubation, and other intensive efforts, they could not save his life. The bullet had nicked his aorta and he had lost too much blood.

His family was in the waiting room. His mother became hysterical, and his brother vowed revenge for this gang-related shooting. The crew returned to the station to finish dinner and prepare for the next call. This experience will remain vivid in my memory for the rest of my life. For the crew, it was just another day on the job. They felt compassion for the victim and his family, but they could not be overwhelmed by it, or they would not be able to continue working.

Along with the intensity of responding to critical emergencies, and the danger of entering burning buildings, there can be unexpected dangers. In 1992, after the verdict in the Rodney King beating was announced, Los Angeles County went crazy. There was rioting throughout the streets. People were burning down buildings, beating total strangers, and looting stores. It was out of control.

People were so angry that they were shooting at anyone in authority, including firefighters. As if the job were not dangerous enough! There was one incident that my husband only told me about years later, and it was only after a coworker casually referred to it. A call came into the station that a strip mall was on fire. Due to reports of firefighters being shot at and threatened by crowds, they were supposed to wait for the police to show up and accompany them to the scene. The police were busy elsewhere, as you can imagine, so the fire department responded anyway. Just as they were finishing, they were shot at and had to take cover behind the fire truck. They managed to get into the truck safely, and quickly left the scene. As they left, they could see the arsonists leaving their hiding place to prepare to burn the buildings again.

Sure enough, shortly after returning to the station they were called out again to the strip mall. This time they put on their flak jackets and waited for the police to accompany them on the call. They put out the fire in what was left of the mall. That was the longest night of my life, and I didn’t even know how truly bad it was until later.

Spouses of firefighters also support each other. Whether it is by getting together for Bunco monthly, taking care of each other’s kids, or just chatting over a cup of coffee, it is important to share any concerns with others who understand. Marriage can be challenging enough for couples who work Monday through Friday from nine to five. Add the stress of dealing with an always changing work schedule, a dangerous environment, and the need to be completely self sufficient, and it can be disastrous for a marriage. The best way to cope is to maintain your sense of humor.


Humor and laughter is an integral part of fire station life. My husband brings home stories of outrageous deeds and unbelievable wit nearly every shift. If late night talk show hosts need new material or writers, they could do no better than some of the creative minds on the fire department. Especially funny stories of practical jokes or extreme composure after being water dropped become urban legends.

When I was dating my husband and planning to visit him at the fire station for the first time, he warned me to look up before I entered the station. He said that sometimes first-time visitors were water-dropped when they entered the station house. I had no idea what he was talking about. These were adults. He must be joking. Well, I was lucky that my ignorance did not get me into trouble. I remained dry throughout that first visit. It was only later that I realized he was not joking.

I realized immediately that it is not only the firefighters who have to have a good sense of humor. During our wedding ceremony, our exchange of vows was delayed by several minutes as the blaring of a siren just outside the church doors drowned out the minister’s words. Later at the reception, one of the layers of cake looked odd to me. When I investigated, I found the inside of the cake had been hollowed out, filled with paper towels, and then recovered with frosting. When I turned to my new husband in shock, he just shrugged as if to say, “Of course they cored the cake.”

The practical jokes continued at home. Our children learned the hard way that they had to learn to laugh in the face of disaster. Of course, a child’s idea of disaster is not exactly the same as an adult’s. When our oldest daughter was in elementary school, she worked hard to complete a ‘book float,’ which is a visual book report built on the top of a shoebox. Her book float was elaborate, with trees made of broccoli tops glued to the shoebox. When she was getting ready to go to school the next morning, she found that all of her ‘trees’ had been chopped down! Her father had eaten the tops of the broccoli that morning before he left for work. He thought it was a hilarious joke. She did not feel that way. After many tears and an emergency session with a glue gun, she finally began to see the humor in the situation.

Our youngest daughter found that she had to be on guard at all times. One day when she was watching her favorite TV show, she became frantic because the TV kept changing channels all by itself. Her father finally confessed that he was using the master remote control from a distance. Now I find that I am the one who needs to stay on her toes in our house. Our children have learned the hard way to give as well as they got.

Without a sense of humor, a ready joke, and the ability to see the bright side of things, the tragedy firefighters encounter every shift would soon overwhelm them. It is a coping mechanism to help deal with the seriousness of the job. If a firefighter candidate cannot laugh easily and often at him or herself, the candidate will either not succeed, or will not be happy on the job. He or she will never understand the culture of the fire service.

After my husband was in a terrible head-on collision between the engine he was on and a police cruiser, he was out of work for several months. He fought to return to work full duty. I think the fire service must be one of the only professions in which its members enjoy the job so much they will not consider an alternative.

My husband shows up at the station 45 minutes before the start of his shift, just in case he can take a call for the captain coming off duty and allow him to leave work on time. When my husband is going off duty, he stays to share a cup of coffee and some laughs with the oncoming crew. I know of no other profession in which its members are not in a hurry to leave after their shift is over.

So why do so many people dream of becoming firefighters?

The fire department schedule is one of the biggest draws to the job. There is no other job in which you can work only ten days a month, with either six or four days off at a time. The problem is that when my husband wants to go on vacation, he doesn’t understand that I can’t match his schedule and just take off four or six days at a time. At least I know his schedule a year in advance!

Because their schedules are so different from everyone else’s, firefighters like to vacation together. It is common to see large groups of firefighter families on vacation in Hawaii, Baja, or Lake Havasu. It’s also convenient to share the childcare duties with other parents.

Firefighters generally enjoy their work schedule, but it can be hard on a family and marriage. Spouses must be self sufficient, and prepared to take care of crises on their own. If a firefighter’s child is sick, he or she cannot just leave the station to pick up the child from school. It is critical that the firefighter remain at work to keep the station fully staffed for emergencies. If a firefighter goes home, it must be for a serious injury or illness.

The firefighter schedule can also be inconvenient on holidays. Most people are used to spending holidays with their family. Firefighters don’t have a choice. If they are scheduled to work on a holiday, they work. Unless they are going out of town, they do not request the day off. Everyone would love to have holidays off to spend with his or her family, but someone must work. If they were to call in sick, and no one was signed up to work overtime, another firefighter would be force hired and pulled out of a family gathering. A firefighter spouse must be flexible enough to be prepared to cook and entertain all by him or herself at a moment’s notice.

It is expected that the younger firefighters without families offer to work on major holidays. As they get older and have their own families, the favor will be repaid by the next generation of firefighters.

When a firefighter is scheduled to work on a major holiday, the family members are often invited into the station for a holiday meal. The crew will go all out and prepare a lavish feast. Sometimes the family members end up eating all by themselves as the crew is called out on an emergency. The kids don’t mind. They feel that the more time in the station, the better. Again, it just goes with the job.

Because they work a set schedule regardless of holidays, firefighters get time off which includes both vacation and holidays. When they take time off, it is usually for several weeks at a time. I have found that having your husband on vacation can be worse than having your kids out of school for the summer. A firefighter with too much time on his hands can get into much more trouble than your kids.

Firefighters are generally do-it-yourselfers. This is why you will often see them in Home Depot. They are mechanically inclined, and are used to improvising to solve problems quickly. You may come home from work one day and find that you have a new laundry chute or the washing machine is being rebuilt. If you are someone who likes things done a certain way, then for the sake of marital harmony, I suggest you call a professional out to build, repair, or replace whatever it is before your husband’s next vacation, or four or six day.

Most of us go on vacation to get away from our jobs. When my husband is on vacation, he seeks out fire stations. I have gotten used to losing my husband for a few hours during a vacation while he rides along with the local fire department. Of course he is hoping to go on a really ‘good’ call (which to the rest of us means ‘bad’).

My husband has T-shirts from fire departments in Alaska, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Washington, D.C., Utah and many more. I’m almost embarrassed to say that I even visited a fire station on my own when I recently went to New York City. When my husband sees someone wearing a fire department T-shirt, he will always ask that person if he or she is on the job. There is an instant bond between them, to the point that two total strangers can joke and tease each other about their respective departments.

Another advantage about the fire department is the benefits. There are usually many options for medical and dental plans, so you can pick the plan that is right for you whether you are single or married with a family. The credit union can’t be beat. They give personalized service and actually know your name when you call.

One of the biggest benefits is the retirement package. It is negotiated as part of the firefighters’ contract. Unfortunately, the life expectancy of a firefighter after retirement is not as long as that of a person who has not been exposed to smoke, chemicals, stress, blood, injury, and interrupted sleep for their entire professional career.

Depending on their age when they were hired, firefighters usually retire in their fifties. However, they will not be bored after retirement. Most firefighters have hobbies which take up a great deal of their time, such as skiing, fishing, boating, fishing, traveling, fishing, or biking. When I was dating my future husband, he said he liked to fish. I was thinking that in Southern California, it’s only fishing season in the summer. No big deal, maybe I would even go with him sometimes. It was only later that I realized that it is always fishing season somewhere in the world. I should have been forewarned when he had to check his fishing tide book before committing to a wedding date.

Every firefighter has a side business. This business is not reserved for after retirement. They conduct this business throughout their fire service career. Since they work only ten days a month, there is plenty of time off to do carpentry, plumbing, concrete, tile setting, painting, roofing, CPR instruction, writing, or manage whatever business they have invested in. The advantage to other firefighters (and their wives) is that whenever something needs to be fixed at home, there is always a firefighter with the skills to do it. Forget paying full price to a plumber, electrician, or drywaller! By trading skills and services, most firefighters are able to remodel and upgrade their homes.

Firefighters earn a good salary, and are rarely ever laid off. Overtime shifts also help immensely. However, I don’t know if you can truly compensate someone for the long-term effects of a chemical fire, or the emotional scars from being first on scene at a horrendous child abuse incident. Firefighters seldom talk about the really terrible things they witness, but we all know we can count on them when we’re in trouble.

People love firefighters. Children and even some adults wave at them as they drive by on their big trucks. When others accompany a firefighter, even off duty, the benefits often extend to them. After the Southern California wildfires, Disneyland in Anaheim was offering free admission for firefighters and their families as a thank you. We invited our neighbors to go with us. I am a physical therapist, my neighbor is a teacher, and her husband is a computer consultant. None of us has ever been admitted to an amusement park for free just because of our profession. Firefighters, however, are universally loved, appreciated, and welcomed.

It may seem to outside observers that firefighters all look similar: tall, lean, dark hair and a moustache. Well, departments have changed over the years as they seek greater diversity, skills and strengths. They try to hire firefighters who can relate to and speak the languages of the people in the community. They hire female firefighters who can contribute their abilities and perspective to the department. They even hired my husband despite the fact that he cannot grow a decent moustache.

Maybe one reason that firefighters seem so alike is that they have the same attitudes. They are honest, brave (you wouldn’t catch me running into a burning building), and exceedingly generous with their time and talents. When they take the time to tutor children, fix up a dilapidated house in the neighborhood, or collect and hand out Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children, it is all on their own time. Their spirit of public service is an example that should humble the rest of us. I can’t resent the time my husband takes to help others, because it is part of who he is. Our youngest daughter had a wonderful time one Christmas when she was able to help hand out donated gifts, and ride with Santa in his sleigh atop a fire truck.

I have wondered how the fire department manages to hire so many people with the same attitudes. I guess it is because they know what they are looking for. The selflessness and willingness to sacrifice can’t be taught. It must be an integral part of their makeup. When a firefighter or family member is seriously ill, others will line up to cover his or her shifts with no expectation of being repaid for their time.

As a spouse, I will never understand my husband’s excitement when he is called on to spend days fighting a raging wildfire, or enthusiastically describes in vivid detail the fire that ripped through the chemical warehouse. But his coworkers understand. They will always be there for him, working towards the same goal, and watching his back. I count on them to do that.

The fire service is a very large, caring, fun-loving family, of which I am proud to be an extended member. I know that even if my husband is lost at sea during one of his many Baja fishing trips, or something unthinkable happens during one of his calls at work, my children and I will always be taken care of.


Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
www.aspiringfirefighters.com

[johnny46]

Tell her to go to Hell and go hook up with some chick from Hooters.

[doughesson]

From other threads,I am assuming that you are a volunteer.When I was on my vollie department,I put my girlfriend first,my real job second and the fire department came after that.
There were times I'd really have to leave a dinner or visiting her parents because response was low.I couldn't always make it right with her but I tried.
I went through two girlfriends during my three years on because they thought differently than I did on how much time I was spending at the station.And,NO,I wasn't seeing them at the same time.I'm not that stupid.
I got them both to attend a couple meetings to see what I did and that I was supervised when doing it.I'd hoped to make her realize that I was doing something worthwhile,learning to do it the best that I could and being looked over so that I would come back to her after take up was done.
That reduced the concerns that she'd end up paying the lease and other bills the rest of the year alone but I could tell it was still there.
You have to allay her fears and try not to ever break her trust when she thinks you're spending too much time away from her.
If you want to do this job,do it.But you're bringing her into the department as well whether you realize it or not.Make sure she knows where she stands in your priorities and never EVER under any circumstances let her hear the word "Hooters"when you are planning a boys night out.Ignore johnny46 on that one.

[hoosierdaddy]

I want to thank you all for the good advice. I really appreciate it.

Doug: I'm not a volunteer right now as we don't have a volly dept where I live. But there is one where I am moving too so I am hoping to join it. I will continue to discuss the issue with my fiancee. Hopefully she will understand.

[wishooter]

cause we all know, chicks dig fireman.

Haha, this made me laugh...

[dday05]

Tell her to go to Hell and go hook up with some chick from Hooters.

If I told that to my wife she'd beat the s*** out of me!

[fire0099881]

If I told that to my wife she'd beat the s*** out of me!

haha I don't know if that's the only thing she would do to you!!!!!

[dday05]

haha I don't know if that's the only thing she would do to you!!!!!

I sure don't want to find out!

[TeayotaSoupra]

I'm on the other side of things.. I WAS engaged and the firehouse helped break that lol But there was MANY other things wrong with our relationship.
After all the years i've been screwd over in relationships i've learned one thing... Do what makes YOU happy. I'm not saying be selfish but if you really want to try it then let her know. If she can't support you then there is something wrong. I let go of the one who couldn't support me.. now i'm with another firefighter (not the same department) and I couldn't be happier!!! His guys are now my guys and my guys.. well.. at one department are his guys lol the other isn't so willing or something. hell I don't know.

There is a new police officer around here who has a live in girlfriend who is ALL upset about his new job. Aggrivated whenever he gets called in (he's the 2nd police officer.. only him and the chief) THEN he wants to join our FD as well and she isn't liking that either. I asked him to think about things. How much does he love his job? THAT one he didn't have to think about.. he said he'd never quit.. Then I said how much to you want to try the firefighting thing? If she can't support you why support her? She wants to be a nurse.. you don't stop her from that..
They are trying to work it out but who knows. To me a relationship is about trust, companionship, support, and obviously love. Without that... it wont work too well.

[firefighter446]

Just remember, the less dangerous details you tell her the better she'll feel

[manringfhfd]

This is something that really affected my life dramatically. I had started working on getting into the fire service. I had gone through an academy in Arizona, spent time as a volunteer in N. Idaho, tested all over the place and landed a very cool job working a NIFC in Boise. While in Boise I met "the woman of my dreams". The problem was she was very against the idea of my being a firefighter. Same deal, she thought I had a deathwish and totally didn't understand. Long story short, I gave it all up, went back into retail and 5 years later got divorced. Now I'm happy to say I've realized my dream of being employed full time as a ff/emt and I'm remarried to a wonderful woman who fully supports my career ambitions. She too was a bit uneasy initially hearing what I do, but has come to really enjoy her free time when I'm at work and as long as she gets a call in the evenings I'm away is perfectly at ease. My life has never been better.

[doughesson]

Excellent idea there.I'm not saying I've been on the hairiest calls ever imagined or unimaginable but I've seen stuff that I never brought up with the aforementioned girlfriends.
If it doesn't sound like something you'd tell Mom,leave it at the firehouse.
Save the war stories for those that would understand them.
Just remember, the less dangerous details you tell her the better she'll feel

[doughesson]

I want to thank you all for the good advice. I really appreciate it.

Doug:...

Chief Lepore explained it better than I did.Hope it works out.

[enginegirl1]

If becoming a firefighter is very important to you, go for it. If you have to diminish yourself to make someone else happy, you will resent them in the long run for it. I do think this is a unique profession which is more of a calling than just another job, and it will take a unique partner to understand that and the dangers associated with the work. Good luck to you.
Best wishes,
Amy

[hoosierdaddy]

Thank you Amy, and everyone else.

[kldugas412]

Well for one I’m in the same boat that many of you have been in. My wife of 11 yrs thinks I spend too much time at the station. I just keep telling her to calm down I could be drinking in the bars or chasing other women. We have gotten in many heated discussions on this subject. I have told her many times that when I met her I was a FF and will always be this is whether she supports me 100% or not.

As with most at a profession I did not have an ambition to stay at the bottom of the ranks just as a FF or Engineer. With the increase of rank comes the increase of responsibility. This just compounds the time spent away from home. As of 4 yrs ago I was nominated for the position of AC.
Before I accepted this nomination I went home and discussed it with my wife at length. I told her that this would mean more time away from home approximately 9-10 hrs a week on top of our normal 14 hrs a month training. Not to mention the calls we run.
Since this has happened she has gotten involved in the dept. I think she now realizes how close we are in this profession. She has seen us laugh and she has seen us cry. We all have the hard outer shell when we are on the job and the public sees us as invincible. This is far from the truth most of the FF I know just carry our emotions deep in side. The truth is every call brings it closer to the surface. The one thing that every FF needs is a strong person waiting at home.
She has since had the opportunity to talk at length to the wife’s of the Chief and Deputy Chief. I can happily say with out a doubt in my mind she is my rock. I have returned home many times and my wife has gotten up and just made us both a fresh cup of Joe and let me vent. I still leave out most of what I see but it helps to have that in a spouse(just stit and listen). She understands the human mind is not supposed to see things we do. It can take a while for all of the carnage of a MVA or fire fatality to set in.
I have found my self getting home after a Fire and going through the house testing the smoke alarms at 0300. All of this is because you try to protect your family from what you have just witnessed. Now all she does is ask if it was bad when I say yes she just says go take a shower and I’ll be waiting. What more could you want from a spouse.


I say if you love her I mean truly love her don’t leave anything out. Trust is the glue that holds it together. She deserves to know the truth of what goes on. She just shoud be spared the gory details. But at the same time I would be hard pressed to say there is any thing better than the love and commitment than the brotherhood of the fire service. Except for a truly loving wife or loved one to come home to.

[enginegirl1]

Kldugas, that post brought tears to my eyes. Good for all of us to read. I hope you show what you wrote to your wife because it will mean a lot to her. She sounds like a wonderful woman and spouse - and it sounds like the two of you have what it takes. Thanks for posting.
Best wishes,
Amy

[Remthedays]

Well for one I’m in the same boat that many of you have been in. My wife of 11 yrs thinks I spend too much time at the station. I just keep telling her to calm down I could be drinking in the bars or chasing other women. We have gotten in many heated discussions on this subject. I have told her many times that when I met her I was a FF and will always be this is whether she supports me 100% or not.

As with most at a profession I did not have an ambition to stay at the bottom of the ranks just as a FF or Engineer. With the increase of rank comes the increase of responsibility. This just compounds the time spent away from home. As of 4 yrs ago I was nominated for the position of AC.
Before I accepted this nomination I went home and discussed it with my wife at length. I told her that this would mean more time away from home approximately 9-10 hrs a week on top of our normal 14 hrs a month training. Not to mention the calls we run.
Since this has happened she has gotten involved in the dept. I think she now realizes how close we are in this profession. She has seen us laugh and she has seen us cry. We all have the hard outer shell when we are on the job and the public sees us as invincible. This is far from the truth most of the FF I know just carry our emotions deep in side. The truth is every call brings it closer to the surface. The one thing that every FF needs is a strong person waiting at home.
She has since had the opportunity to talk at length to the wife’s of the Chief and Deputy Chief. I can happily say with out a doubt in my mind she is my rock. I have returned home many times and my wife has gotten up and just made us both a fresh cup of Joe and let me vent. I still leave out most of what I see but it helps to have that in a spouse(just stit and listen). She understands the human mind is not supposed to see things we do. It can take a while for all of the carnage of a MVA or fire fatality to set in.
I have found my self getting home after a Fire and going through the house testing the smoke alarms at 0300. All of this is because you try to protect your family from what you have just witnessed. Now all she does is ask if it was bad when I say yes she just says go take a shower and I’ll be waiting. What more could you want from a spouse.


I say if you love her I mean truly love her don’t leave anything out. Trust is the glue that holds it together. She deserves to know the truth of what goes on. She just shoud be spared the gory details. But at the same time I would be hard pressed to say there is any thing better than the love and commitment than the brotherhood of the fire service. Except for a truly loving wife or loved one to come home to.


THANK YOU!

It was the same way with my wife, except she had two careers to worry about. I was a L.E.O. and always a member of a F.D.. She was very active with the womens aux. with the departments I was with. Always there to talk and listen with what ever career problem that popped up (suicides,murders,fatal fires, etc..) Unfortunatley I miss that, I lost her 4 yrs ago this month, I guess that is why your story hit so close to home. Damn I miss her. We had many good years together (23), some laughing and some crying together.

Sorry for the rant and babble.

T.J.

[kldugas412]

Kldugas, that post brought tears to my eyes. Good for all of us to read. I hope you show what you wrote to your wife because it will mean a lot to her. She sounds like a wonderful woman and spouse - and it sounds like the two of you have what it takes. Thanks for posting.
Best wishes,
Amy


Amy,
Thanks for the kind words; I may have to let my wife see this. And to think she always says I don't know how to express my feelings.

Sorry for the rant and babble.

TJ,
That’s not a rant or babble!!
That's just how you feel.
I'm truly sorry to here of your loss. She sounds like She was meant for you.
I hope I’m as lucky as you.
My prayers are with you.
Just remember she will always be there for you looking after you at every call.
God bless and Stay safe.

When I read the First post it hit close to home, I didn't know how to react. I read a few more as the answers were posted and it hurt me to see some of them. We are grown adults looking for answers not children in high school. We don't have the luxury of playing the silly games of younger times. We have responsibilities and most of us have families to care for. It truly feels good to know i'm not alone.

I would like to thank,
Chief Woods and Chief LePore for there words of wisdom. This makes me believe that we are all brothers and we want to see all of our extended family succeed.
I have been blessed that we’ve had roll models like these great men in the fire service.

[DHennet]

Ditch the chick and take the job. There's a million other girls out there, but only one job like this.

[FDAIC485]

As long as it is a career position, there should not be an issue. You will get enough excitement at your place of employment and all your off time can be given to family related functions. Where you run into problems is when you get "ate up" with the whole "jolly vollie" syndrome and start picking the FD over the wife and fam. I don't care what some may or may not say about dedication to his fellow citizen, you start leaving your wife and kids before or during big family events(holidays, birthday parties, graduations..etc,etc) there is going to be problems.

I got a very cool wife.(She actually gets a little "excited" when I smell like a fire. It's awesome.) However, her time with me is her time with me, no excuses or exceptions. I've been with her close to 15 years (just as long as the FD) and I couldn't be happier.

[ROOKIELZ]

Ok; I am on both sides of the equation.
My Husband was a VFF before we were married. I didn't quite get the idea of charging off and working your axe off for little appreciation. I wasn't thrilled with the notion of him gleefully putting his life on the line or setting himself up for (sometimes) emotional heartaches on the Rescue Squad.

But I love him and he wanted to do it. All I asked was that he keep an eye on the danger level and promise to try and back out (yeah, right:rolleyes: ) if it got too nasty. He's been at it for 15+ years.

There were times when he would come home freezing in the middle of winter and I would roll over and cling to him to try and warm him up. Or listen to him as he vented about something stupid that happened, the general stupidity of a certain person, or the horrible things that he had just seen. At last, with love and support, he would drift off to sleep and I would end up awake with my mind going at 100 miles an hour and horrible visions in my head.

I love him but I also learned that his dedication to "the job" is just one more indication of what a special guy I have. And he is going to take care of his family come heck or high water.

I was approached to become a VFF by his chief. I thought ME???

Eventually I did. I love it. And now I get it completely.

I don't lay awake at nights wondering what he is doing and stressing about things. I know who he is with and how they take care of each other.

I have come home from calls to find him waiting up for me. He has learned what that is all about; to be the one sitting at home waiting.

The fire service has actually improved what was already a good marriage. But it took willingness for each to support the other as they found their way.

If that is not happening...well...I'm not going to say it. You know what to do; it just sucks sometimes to have to do it.

I hope this helps.

ROOK

[kldugas412]

Nice Rook,
Sounds like you have the best of both worlds. :D Great to here someone cares in this day and age. Hope you have many more great yrs together.
;)

[FDAIC485]

Great to here someone cares in this day and age.

What do you mean by that?

[kldugas412]

FDAIC485,

I’ll explain, like yourself we are very lucky to have a caring loved one at home that worries about us when we are gone. I was referring to all of the negative posts. I will not mention names, as I do not want to have a pissing contest on the computer.

It goes in hand that ROOK was not in a Dept. but supported her husband in times of need. Bye doing so she found that she too loved the fire service. Maybe Just one Wife or Husband of a FF that has doubts of the career that there spouse has chosen or wants to choose. Will read this post and it will help them understand how caring the Fire Service is.
This post should not be oh well just dump the B!$ch and get on with your career.

I also understand that this is an open post and everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions. That is why I do not like to debate issues on this these forums. I will say my .02 and let it be at that.

What I will do is complement those that I feel have the same views as my self. I will also express my gratitude to those who from their experiences have someing to teach. I believe we all are destine to fail if we do not learn from our Brothers and Sisters that have come before us and defined this Fire Service, as we know it today.

P.S. I too know what you mean, “her time with me is her time with me, no excuses or exceptions.”
I too set time aside with my family also. Do not get me wrong sometimes it is the second hardest thing I have to do (Watch the engine leave for a hot call and not go to it because I have promised to do something with them, set time aside for my wife or little girl.)
The hardest thing I have to do is leave them to go to work (It’s not in the fire service) I have to sleep away from home for 14-21 days at a time.:eek: In return I get 14-21 off.:D

[Paddiegrunt]

Have you sat down and talked to her about it and what scares her?

[FDAIC485]

KLD..... with that type of work schedule you must be in the oil business. Regardless, good post and I copy you lemma-charlie.

Sidenote:
PaddieGrunt....You're from the Paintball Capital of the world!

[gallagher4663]

Tell her to-bad, I told my wife she can like it or leave it, 8 years later, she's still here and I still have the best job in the world. We are both very happy, and I don't tell her everything that happens on sceene.

[fcosta]

just wanted to thank BCLepore;791908 and his wife for the insight. i realy enjoyed it. thanks

[befferk]

I wanted to chime in and say that I am from the same line of thought as ROOK. My husband talked to me about joining the volunteer dept 6 years ago when I was pregnant with our (1st and only) child. I had a hard time understanding (especially with pregnancy emotions), but we talked about it A LOT. He explained exactly why he wanted to do it and what it meant to him. I love him enough to know how important it was to him, and I knew that deep down he would resent me if I didn't give him my blessing to do it. I have watched him become a very dedicated firefighter that loves what he does. Did it bother me, when in the middle of my baby shower, he and our child's godfather rushed out for a fire when all my family was there? A little. But watching how proud he was and the friends he (and I) made was so worth it.

As time went on, I started doing more with the department, helping at fundraisers, and with a push from some of the other guys on the department, I joined last summer, and I finished my FF1 certification class in January of this year. It has become our 2nd family. We have made a lot of friends with the guys on the department and they adore our son and treat me great (I am the only woman firefighter on the dept).

Wanted to give another story from the woman's side. And all of you that say to just ditch her and get another woman, hope you enjoy being old and alone. I have seen it many times.... Nothing sexy about a middle aged bald man thinking young chicks still dig him just because he's a fireman.

Beth

[Higby916]

I think we can all understand her fears of you becoming a firefighter, there are inherent risks, whether they be fears of injury/death or disease. The important thing for her to know is the good that comes out of the job and the training that you put into it to be sure you come home every day. She doesn't need to know the gory details, but I bet it would help if you told her bits here and there so she knows what you do, but doesn't have to hear the dangers.
I am the woman in the equation here, and I will admit that my Ex was not comfortable with me putting my life into this career and we eventually split before I was hired. It was a blessing in disguise because I was then able to apply to other cities and not worry about moving a family. I have parents who worry a great deal, but I'm careful to tell them certain stories, and am always sure to point out the safety of the job and ensure them that things are not always as dangerous as they appear (it seems to work.. lol).

Sometimes the spouse just needs reassurance that you will be okay, that you will be well trained, that you will have brothers/sisters around you to help ensure your safety, that you are not alone in this job, that you will be part of a family bigger than could ever be imagined, that you (and she) will have support also beyond imaginable, and that this will be a part of your (and her) life. It's not just a job, you don't choose it, it chooses you. You would kick your ass for the rest of your life if you chose a woman who was not supportive over this career...

[cretinbob]

Sorry, I did not know where to post this question.

My fiancee is not entirely keen on me wanting to be a firefighter. I don't think she understands why I want to do it; she thinks I have a death wish. Anyways, is firefighting a job one should get into before getting married or am I being selfish to want to get into it after getting married?

She's the one who is selfish. What we do is the most selfless thing anyone can. Find a new girlfriend.

[befferk]

I wanted to add to my post above that there is a chance that she won't understand no matter what you do, and the above poster, although harsh, is right then that she is the one being selfish. The point of my earlier post is that you should try hard to explain it to her and talk about how important it is to you if you really love her. I don't think you should just ditch any woman that doesn't like you being a fireman right off the bat though without giving it a little time. If she does truly love you, she will come around. If not, then, well, you know that this isn't the only thing she will try to hold you back from.

Beth

[bulldog100]

Agreed - Dump her - try hooters

[hoosierdaddy]

I want to thank everyone for their advice...even those I don't necessarily agree with. She's not just my girlfriend...we're getting married in August. I could agree if I already were a firefighter and she didn't like it; we'd have to break up. But I wondered if I was being selfish trying to become a firefighter after I'm married. Thanks again everyone.

[Higby916]

I want to thank everyone for their advice...even those I don't necessarily agree with. She's not just my girlfriend...we're getting married in August. I could agree if I already were a firefighter and she didn't like it; we'd have to break up. But I wondered if I was being selfish trying to become a firefighter after I'm married. Thanks again everyone.

I hope things work out for you both. Maybe have her talk with some other wives and see their feelings and views. From what I have heard most wives/husbands' fears subside over time. Coming home at the end of each shift is great re-enforcement that there are more safeties in place than dangers.

Best of luck to you and forge on with your goals, all of them... things have a funny way of working out.