astromattical
12-19-2007, 10:09 AM
Hello everyone. I was an EMT-B for about 5 years, spent 6 years volunteering, one year as a paid EMT - was strictly rescue squad and not fire. I am going to be joining the local volunteer fire company here in Manassas, VA. I've filled out my application for the ride-a-long and will try to meet as many members as I can, ask questions, etc.
I am 5' 9" and weigh between 165-170. I'm not a fat slob, but I am overweight. I WANT to exercise, but my biggest issue is getting motivated. I'm hoping some of the Manassas guys work out and wouldn't mind if I joined them. That would help me out immensely. My diet is also a big issue, but I believe I can fix that on my own. I love tuna and chicken and eggs...that'll make it easier for sure.
I would *LOVE* to be a paid FF, but the money is an issue. My current job will allow me to make six-figures within 10 years, and I'm only 24. I have expensive hobbies (scuba diving, astronomy) and I want to live comfortably and be able to support my children (when I have them) as they grow up and go to college. I just don't see that being easy or possible as a FF. What are your experiences with the salaries of a FF? Hope that's not too personal of a question to ask.
My thing is I guess I can just keep my job and be a volunteer (nothing wrong with that), but I will never be a career FF which is my true dream (actually, my true dream is to fly medical helicopters...but that is definitely not happening). I wish I was someone that didn't think money was important, but it is. Paying bills on time, putting a down payment on a house, sending my children to college...that's EXTREMELY important. Have you paid FFs out there been able to do this? Being young, I don't have much experience with "serious" financial decisions, so I'd appreciate your input!
Oh, and don't most paid fire companies require perfect color vision? I can't pass that numbers/dots book test thingie even if my life depended on it. But that's about it...pretty much in any practical application, I can see colors just fine. It's just that darn book!
I am 5' 9" and weigh between 165-170. I'm not a fat slob, but I am overweight. I WANT to exercise, but my biggest issue is getting motivated. I'm hoping some of the Manassas guys work out and wouldn't mind if I joined them. That would help me out immensely. My diet is also a big issue, but I believe I can fix that on my own. I love tuna and chicken and eggs...that'll make it easier for sure.
I would *LOVE* to be a paid FF, but the money is an issue. My current job will allow me to make six-figures within 10 years, and I'm only 24. I have expensive hobbies (scuba diving, astronomy) and I want to live comfortably and be able to support my children (when I have them) as they grow up and go to college. I just don't see that being easy or possible as a FF. What are your experiences with the salaries of a FF? Hope that's not too personal of a question to ask.
My thing is I guess I can just keep my job and be a volunteer (nothing wrong with that), but I will never be a career FF which is my true dream (actually, my true dream is to fly medical helicopters...but that is definitely not happening). I wish I was someone that didn't think money was important, but it is. Paying bills on time, putting a down payment on a house, sending my children to college...that's EXTREMELY important. Have you paid FFs out there been able to do this? Being young, I don't have much experience with "serious" financial decisions, so I'd appreciate your input!
Oh, and don't most paid fire companies require perfect color vision? I can't pass that numbers/dots book test thingie even if my life depended on it. But that's about it...pretty much in any practical application, I can see colors just fine. It's just that darn book!