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How To Deal With Possible Burnout?
Just wondering how to approach this. I am currently working part time and also on a volunteer department. I have been doing this for 6 yrs as a FF/EMT. I have been an Officer at the volunteer department for two years now. I feel like im maybe getting to the burnout point but im not sure. I still enjoy going to work at my part time job and enjoy making calls both both departments. I'm getting to where i dont want to go to trainings, meetings, and "PR" stuff. I'm very tired of the inter department BS at both my parttime dept and volunteer dept. My wife and I are expecting our first child in a month. I'm just not sure what to do. I feel like i give more to the fire service then to my family/friends now, Any suggestions would be very appreciated. I never thought i would see myself getting this way as i used to live for this stuff a few years ago. I will consider any help or suggestions i can get on what to do.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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Family comes first. If you can not be there for them, there will be problems down the road. Speak with your Chiefs, and see what they can do about a leave of absence for a little R&R with the new one.
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Permalink Reply by capcityff on
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Hate to say it but maybe the job isn't for you. I'm not an officer so I don't have those responsibilities, but I'm on a department where I run 15-25 runs/tour. I'll have days where I show up in the morning and finish breakfast until the afternoon, or just not see the fire house all day. So there are definitely people that burn out at my department with the high volume of runs, but it takes A LOT longer than 6 years.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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The best thing for approaching "burn-out" is to get away from it for a bit...maybe a week or two...then come back with a fresh mind and a new outlook...every once in awhile I "disappear" from the Firehouse for a couple of weeks...that's my escape time...then I go back and things don't bother me as much...stupid people is what gets to me the most...but you know...You just can't fix stupid.....LOL
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Permalink Reply by EngineLadder on
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I know thats right!!!
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Permalink Reply by Chief622 on
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Thanks for the replies. I know the Fire Service is a good place and i still love making runs. I'm burnt out on the other stuff like the trainings, meetings, BS issues, ect.. I plan to take a lot of time off after my child is born through the fall. I hope to spend time with her and do lots of hunting in my spare time to "get away" from the Fire/EMS service a bit. Like i said, i love the job and making runs, its just all the good stuff on top of it i find myself losing interest in. Hopefully a few months away will be all it takes.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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Dude- you've answered your own question....
My wife and I are expecting our first child in a month.
This will change EVERYTHING. It's a great time to take stock of life in general and reevaluate your priorities.
You'll need to be there for your wife- take some time off and enjoy the new baby and see how you feel in a months time...
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Permalink Reply by rescue1230 on
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I was going through the same things just a couple of months back. If it was me I would talk to the chiefs and get some time off. Cause that lil one will be around be for you know it and that is where the time is best spent trust me, mine is the light of my life. hope it all works out for ya and best wishes on the baby
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Hate to say it but maybe the job isn't for you.
That's rubbish! There's so many other factors that could be contributing. Very few people will ever go throug htheir career (vol or paid) without feeling it at some stage.
In this case, I'd say he's got a bit on the plate, especially with the baby due soon. Big life changes coming with that one.
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with you there Lutan...I'd say a short break...get a grip on life and all that's happening and happening fast....hang in there......
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Well if you do nothing it will only get worse, especially after the baby and sleepless nights. I would agree that 6 years seems early for burnout but everybody has different thresholds. May I suggest a vacation away from both departments and prioritize your life while away. Maybe you will have to focus on one department and not two.
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Permalink Reply by K.. Thompson on
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I focus on the parts I like, and shun the rest. I tend not to be burned out with the "job", but more tired of the BS. I realized I can't change the things I don't control, so I forget them. Sometimes I pick one issue (proper training, correcting SOGs, teaching newer members the how tos) and one issue only to work on outside of making calls.
At the end of the day, regardless of the crap, I still love climbing in the seat, running to a call, and saving a life. That's the part that counts.
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Permalink Reply by AKFFforChrist on
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Gotta agree with Lutan. This young guy has a lot on his plate right now, and that simply adds stress.
What capcityff might not realize is that the personnel in a busy house or on a busy unit don't have time to get involved in or have to be around the bitching, whining and complaining that comes with FF's that aren't as busy. We average 12 calls per tour, but there's still plenty of time in there for some of our FF's to moan, complain, whine or bitch, and the negativity can wear you down and wear you out. But on the days when we're running 20 or so calls, no one's bitching because they're simply too busy doing and hopefully enjoying the job. Very few of us joined the fire service because we wanted to be around negative co-workers. We joined the fire service because we're mostly type-A personalities who love the combination of helping others and adrenaline pumping action the job provides.
Keep your chin up Captain632, and talk to your Chief(s) to see what they can do to help you out.
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