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Comment by Avery Dale on October 27, 2010 at 11:27am

When I was in school I took alot of mess from my classmates for one reason or another because I was in the fire department. It didn't bother me because it was something I truley loved & I knew I was actually making a difference in my community.

Over the years I slowly gained their respect because : I would be called out of class by the principal to handle situations in & around the school, I wouldn't be counted late due to being on a call, I recieved an award from the school for my actions at a multi-car MVA infront of the school & I was the one responding to emergencies that invlolved my classmates or their loved one's.

I took some of the same flak for being in the Boy Scouts from Kindergarten until I graduated. Again, it was something I loved & after I made Eagle Scout it was that much better. That is an honor that only a few accomplish & something I can carry for the rest of my life.

In short, if being a Junior Firefighter is something you love & are passionate about it shouldn't matter what others say or think about you. Stay motivated & stay safe.

Comment by Frederick Martin on October 26, 2010 at 8:19pm

Thanks guys I feel a lot better now!

Comment by Brian Richards on October 26, 2010 at 12:29pm

oh, and remember, you're a firefighter now, you're automaticaly better then them ;) haha

Comment by Brian Richards on October 26, 2010 at 12:27pm

Dude i feel your pain, i became a cadet in my sophmore year of HS and took fire 1 and 2 quickly after that, the idiots in my class thought this was something they could make fun of me for, when they said "oh look its the fire man" my response was always "damn right" if they say get the junior firefighter to put it out laugh and say, yeah ill do it. one thing that helped me a ton was thinking how the kids teasing me were never going anywhere but prision in their life and i (you) already have our foot in the door for a lifelong career

Comment by Michael Bates on October 25, 2010 at 7:08pm

Just ignore them, they're probably just jealous that you have enough integrity, and confidence to do something on your own. You don't need to be part of the "crowd" to be cool. Do what makes you happy. Your just entering a way of life that is more rewarding than anything you've ever imagined. I was a junior and got a lot of comments, but i enjoyed the fire service so much that it never really bothered me. Besides, the friendships you make in the fire service will last forever. Once a firefighter, you can pretty much walk into any firehouse in the country and feel at home.

Comment by Frederick Martin on October 25, 2010 at 5:42pm

Okay, thanks for all your comments!

Comment by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on October 25, 2010 at 3:20pm

Frederick:
If you have made a big deal out of you being a firefighter cadet, then they will make a big deal out of it right back at you.
I would lower your visibility a notch and see if it dies down.
If it doesn't, then look at what you project or how you project. Is everything that you wear to school associated with firefighting?
Is that all you talk about at school and elsewhere?
Are you giving them a reason to jab at you?
Trust me; there's nothing wrong with showing your colors. I have tattoos that are fire related, but I have them where I can display them when appropriate or I can cover up if I don't feel a need to advertise.
Be proud of what you do, but don't let it over power you OR your class mates.

Comment by Damo on October 25, 2010 at 10:25am

Learn to either laugh it off or learn some witty comebacks. If you find it hard at school just wait until real life and especially if you plan to become a full time FF. Laughing and ragging on each other is a way of life, you get your turn to be joked at and then next day you will joking at someone else. Do not get angry or personal with these people as this will make it worse. I commend you on being a junior ff, so keep it up and good luck.