Is it your job, your life, or neither?

[daysleeper47]

You know, for some people, thier job is their life. They eat it, sleep it, do it, and love it. For other, is is just that. It is their job. They do it, but when their shift is over...it's over. They go home and don't even think about it until they have to show up for work the next day, or 48 hours later, or whenever. I can imagine firefighters in both catagories. I am sure there are some damn fine firefighters who for them, this is just thier job. For others, it is their life. They pour smoke over their frosted flakes in the morning. Where do you put yourself? Do you live for your job? Do you look at this as more than just a job, but as your life? If this is your life, then how do you balance all the rest? Give me your thoughts...

[Grit76]

If you have kids, your job is to raise them right. Everything else is done in support of that. Of course, it helps if you like how you make your bucks, and come home satisfied that you made a difference.

[FLAME5]

I am in total agreement with Grit.

[FireCapt1951retired]

Well lets see, all 3 of my ex-wifes say it was my life, so I guess that must be close to the truth.

[cfr3504]

I'm a volunteer, but I must say that it is a really big part of my life, I couldn't imagine my life with out the fire service and EMS. It's been a part of my life since I was 5 years old, pretty much grew up around a volunteer dept. to me it's much more than just something that I do with my "spare time" it's almost a passion. My real job on the other hand, is something that I do to pay the bills, when I'm not there I could care less. When I am there I would rather be at the station! LOL

[ArmyTruckCompany]

FireLt1951-

My Ex also said the same thing!!! Maybe you and I should get married????

LOL JUST KIDDING!!!!

(ooooh me thinks this will be bad!!!!)

[hctrouble25]

My job is important to me because I am a manager and responsible for others. But at the end of the day I go home and then I head off to the firehouse. To me fire fighting is a way of life. You have to take it seriously - paid or volunteer - or it might take your life. I love being at the firehouse, and I love helping out, even on maintenance night. I love my job, but if my department went paid I would definitely rather do that for a living. I guess it is all in the way you look at it. If I was married with kids that would come first.

[UTFFEMT]

The fire service is a lifestyle, it has pretty much been a top priority for me for the last 18 years. That is until I had Children, now my children are the top priority, funny how things change.

[Grit76]

hc: unmarried with kids, it's the same.

atc and lt: how's the romance coming?

[gordoffemt]

For me, it's definately a passion and a way of life. I'm a firehouse brat, dad's been paid-on-call for 32 yrs., so I fell into this easily. I'm a career industrial FF/EMT/HMtech and a paid-on-call Lt. for my hometown dept. I think I've got the best of both worlds. A rewarding and lucrative career in the privatized fire service that allows me and my family a very comfortable living. And helping people in my own community while making a little extra at the same time. Did I mention that my dad is my shift capt. at work? What a life! Wouldn't trade it for the world.

[911WACKER]

I agree whith Chief Taylor, but it will always rank up there for me.

[mfgentili]

It's my full time job, and a damn good job at that! It is also a major part of my life and has been for nearly 30 years. My part time job is as a fire instructor at a fire academy. My best friends are firefighters. My time spent on the computer is mostly fire related. I read fire magazines and books. If there is a TV show or movie about firefighting I'll be watching it. I am proud to be a firefighter and thankful to be able to make a living do something I enjoy. The fire service has allowed me to raise my family comfortably and with a steady pay check every week. I look forward to retirement in 4 more years, but then again I don't.....

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

My answer to this post is on the same as Mike Gentili's, only I've done it for almost 20 years and have another 12 years to retirement. I used to work at the Massachusetts Fire Academy, now I teach fire safety in the schools, detail cars and write for local paper. My wife has been through it for 20 years, sometimes she still doesn't understand the job.

[daysleeper47]

Guys, these are great responses. Thanks, keep em coming!

[Fire Eater 07]

I absolutely love my job, now that wife is going to give birth to our first son...(weeeee, i got me a little tailboard!! )
I want to spend as much time with her and him...but when i hear a fed-Q screaming in the distance.....i do imagine jumping off of the truck and grabbing a line and just getting down to it!!