If you could go back 20, 15, 10 years would you still join the fire service if you knew then what you know now? Going through all of the heartache, family time lost, and loss of your brothers/sisters along the way?
Yes, and I did do it all over again, it's in my blood. I left the fire service when I moved out of town, twenty years later I am right back in it, I love this job
I wished i would have paid attention sooner enen though i grew up around it.Also would have been paid to do this would be nice. But cant do the career change now.
Would I do this again...HELL YES!!! I've been doing this for 18 years. The only regret I have is not starting earlier. I am FT/Paid and I would say there are those individuals who do it for the almighty buck. I can honestly say I don't. I love this job from the bottom of my heart. That's why I abide by my comment in one of my earlier posts--"If you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life." Lord knows I've had my share of heartaches, blood, sweat and tears. I've had some really aweful calls (Fire/fatality, traumatic PNB's and SIDS); and some really great ones (Delivering a baby and resuscitated PNB's)-I spent 13 years of my career as a Med and I wouldn't change a second of it. I started my fire career as a vollie, I will never forget my roots-I will agree vollies rule! Take care and stay safe!!!
Obviously we look back with the vision of what we have gone through and learned but for sure I would do it all again. After 29 years in this service and 18 years as Full time paid Chief i wouldn't want to change a thing. It has been a wonderful and rewarding ride. My life and those around me have been enriched in so many ways by this experience.