firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (Full Version)

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firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do

  

Blazer man1998 -> firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/4/2008 8:54:10 PM)

hey guys i am currently a volunteer firefighter in my home town in NJ.  But im 19 years old and have not yet gone through fire school.  I joined when i was 16 because some of my friends did, and it looked like a good thing to get involved with.  but after the first meeting 3 years ago i realized i kind of freaked out when i went on air (scott packs).  Im semi clostrophobic and dont think i can pass fire school.  I''ve just lost interest in it, not because i dont think firefighting is cool, it just dont see myself doing it.  I dont think i am personally cut out for it, and i havnt learned as much as my peers did. I honestly regret joining back in 2005.  It makes me so sad, because i love my friends at the fire house, and value everything I have learned, but i know i would be happier if I resigned.  I don''t know what to do.  This topic has been coming up in my mind day after day for basically 2 years now.  If this was for me and was my passion, would i be questioning it so much and be losing sleep over so much.  my stress level has never been so high and i''ve been depressed and its because i know that firefighting isnt for me and im said to leave the department, but i know its for the best.  In 2006 I couldnt wait to go to college for every reason anyone would want to go, but i also was excited because it was a way to hide from FF and from fireschool. When the year ended and it was time to go home, that reason alone made me want to stay and do summer classes. Please, I really need help. I am a good person, an Eagle scout, I volunteer all the time, and I''m in good clubs at college like Rotary.  I just dont want to feel like this anymore. 

  
Zasder -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/4/2008 9:28:15 PM)

So end it bro...dont put urself threw that!

No ones going to harras you for leaving the VF...you tried, and thats all matters! u got off your butt, and tried! thats more then 95% of the teens these days.

Its not right for you...some are meant to be doctors, some are meant to be lawyers, some are meant to be garbage men...

Dont worry, youll find YOUR passion, not someone elses.



Jharper -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/4/2008 9:37:51 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zasder

So end it bro...dont put urself threw that!

No ones going to harras you for leaving the VF...you tried, and thats all matters! u got off your butt, and tried! thats more then 95% of the teens these days.

Its not right for you...some are meant to be doctors, some are meant to be lawyers, some are meant to be garbage men...

Dont worry, youll find YOUR passion, not someone elses.




x2

swartlkk -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/5/2008 4:50:04 AM)

Actually, saying to stop doing something just because one facet of it doesn''t mesh well with you just seems like the easy way out to me [;)].  From your comments, you are on the fence.  To recommend that you just stop something you have been a part of for 3 years over one little problem seems a bit over the top...  I don''t know if either of the two previous replies have had experience with this type of thing, but I can say that it happens to a lot more firefighters than you think.  I was the same way when I started this stuff over 6 years ago now...[sm=smiley9.gif]  One thing I can say for sure is that it can be overcome!

You aren''t alone when it comes to getting a bit panic''d with a mask on.  Something that helps is to wear your mask for a bit each day to get comfortable with the reduced vision and the tightness around your face.  Another help is to have a properly sized mask.  I started off with a medium and that felt way wrong.  A large mask was a HUGE benefit (no pun intended).  Yet another big help is to not be affraid to ask others for help/encouragement.  Don''t put on a tough guy front and soldier on.  If you want to be in the fire service and ultimately want to go interior, this isn''t something that you can have sitting in the back of your mind just waiting to pop out when the fecal matter hits the oscillator. 

I would encourage you to get into the scene support side of things and then work with the training officer of the department to get your more comfortable with the air pack and mask.  If packing up still makes you uncomfortable, then stick to the outside stuff.  There are jobs for anyone and everyone that wants to volunteer.  Even in the most active departments, structure fires requiring the use of air packs are only a fraction of the calls that are dispatched.  Ultimately all emergency responders are in that line of service (whether paid or volunteer) to help others.  If that is something that you want to do (and I think it is), then stick with it!!

If you need any other advice, just let me know!

FFJustin99Chevy -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/5/2008 8:09:14 AM)

Let me introduce myself Blazer Man.  My name is Justin and I have been a firefighter for 7 years now.  I''m a ''truckie'' on a Tower in Harrisburg, PA and ProBoard FF2.  That''s a long road but let me explain something.....I STARTED IN YOUR SHOES.  I came into the fire service on my own accord as I didn''t have any relatives already involved.  I''ll agree with you that many things can be very overwhelming at first, as they should be.  It''s an important job that shouldn''t be taken lightly.  I now teach entry-level firefighting classes for members just like yourself who are new to the fire service.  I never pressure anyone to do anything if they''re not completely comfortable.  Younger folks do tend to have an issue with the SCBA as it''s scary to think that you''re only supply of fresh air is confined to a small cylinder and if something were to go wrong....What would you do?  It all comes down to training.  If you practice with it, you become very familiar with it and things become much more comfortable.  Before you know it, you won''t even think about it....You''ll just do it.  Trust me, you''re not the only one who feels like that!

HOWEVER, if all this is still not for you, don''t forget that there are many jobs within the fire service!  Not everyone has to be the guy running in to pull someone out or knock the fire or vent the roof.  How about a driver/operator?  You said you''re 19 so in two years, you should be able to take your EVOC and pumps courses and start driving apparatus.  How does that sound?  Or even fire police play an important role as roads need shut down as well as traffic.  I''m sure your fire department also has social members who assist with certain events.  What I''m trying to get at is that there are many ways to still be involved and hang out with your friends and not be pressured into the things which scare you.

Regardless, don''t let it stress you out so much.

Idriveachevy -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/8/2008 9:16:21 PM)

You need to decide for yourself, theres no shame in backing out of something that isnt cut out for you...   Im plainning on joining my volunteer FD this summer, I wanna try it out. But if its not for me, I wont go back after college.

Blazer man1998 -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/9/2008 9:17:24 PM)

7 attempt at posting this. i am going to stay with it and attempt fire school and see where it takes me. thanks guys for all your advice

Idriveachevy -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/9/2008 10:05:07 PM)

Its good that you made a decision that will benefit not just you but your community... goodluck with everything...

Hanr3 -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/10/2008 5:42:23 PM)

Heres the deal, and this applies no matter what.

Any plan followed is better than no plan. Even a poor plan is better than no plan. Poor planning is better than no planning. However doing something half assed will get you the same result, half assed. If your going to do it, DO IT!!!!!! The shorter version, piss or get off the pot. Glad you made a decission!!!




Blazer man1998 -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/25/2008 8:32:50 PM)

So i just couldn''t do it.  honestly in the back of my mind i knew i couldnt do it.  i did not go through fire school.  but after talking to the chief i am going to become an associate member.  so basically i come when i can, but i am not expected to be there as much as the regular members, which is honestly perfect for me.  

TheBrettster -> RE: firefighting isnt for me and I dont know what to do (6/26/2008 12:05:43 AM)

I sell lemons on the corner. Just Kidding.

Take a fun related vacation and then come back to the thought.

  

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