The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
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
-
Permalink Reply by Gary on
-
So true, the politics and BS will stress and drain you faster than anything else. Focus on the calls, and proper training. Try to surround yourself with those that can do that and walk away from anyone who tries to drag you into the gossip, bs, etc. Sometimes its the company you keep, and remember to set healthy boundaries, so that your family time is not interrupted by other things etc
Enjoy that new baby, it takes forever to get them here and you wont realize how fast they are growing at first. I just looked up and my new babies are turning 7, 8, 12years old, this summer. All these guys are right on about take a break and focus yourself.
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Owens on
-
Brother I feel for you.....I am a career firefighter in a full time department and a part time department. I also used to volly for 10 years. 4 years ago my first son was born, and it changed my life.....3 years after that another son.
Basically something had to go and while I loved volunteering it was causing me more trouble than it was worth (I was an officer for 5 years and asst. chief when my son was born). My life was the fire department I would work a 24 at my full time FD, get off work call the volly house to see if they had staffing if they did not I would go pull 12 hours there (or go work part time if schedualed) I would typically be home at 6:30 pm eat dinner go to bed and then do it all over again.
While I am still obssesed with the FD there has to be something else in your life. I often tell people to not like the FD as much as I do, cause it will typically leave you frustrated, dissapointed, and burnt out.
Here are my suggestions:
1. Take a minimum of a month off from both places once you child is born. Dont listen to the scanner, pager, go on calls, nothing. This will not only make you see if you still wanna do it, but will win points with the wife.
2. GET A HOBBY. You gotta get some other intrests.....you mentioned hunting....thats great go hunting...never let the FD (especially the volly house) keep you from doing the other things in life. I love sports, hunting, and movies. Obviously if your working you gotta pay the bills but go and do other things to occupy your time awa from the FD.
3. Reality check: You have got to know that even if your an officer, the firehouse will go on with out you. 50 years go no one knew who you were and 50 years from now no one will probably know who you were. Make a difference in the here and now, and do not worry about the other BS stuff. BTW training is not BS.....training is the key to your survival.
Good luck brother
-
Permalink Reply by Foley&son on
-
hello brother . take a step back ,look at the big picture. what is the must important thing to you? take care of that 1st.we are here for you !
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Reha on
-
I know what your feeling Brother, however several senior members on my Dept. told me when I started God is first then your family and they are absolutly right. I am a father of 6 kids, a fulltime Instructor of Diesel mechanics at a college, Firefighter Instructor for the State, a CPR Instructor, President of a county training organization and an Assistant Training Officer in my Volunteer Fire Dept. As you can see I'm very dedicated and love the the Fire Service. Needless to say alot of times I meet myself coming and going. What I find myself doing is trying to spend as much time as possible with my family and backing away from the Dept for a short while then come back at it hard. It seems to work but I have a hard time taking time for myself or time for my wife and I by ourselves. The bad part is all I know how to do is work and forgot what fun is. Burnout is natural especially in this line of work so who ever says" maybe this line of work isn't for you" is totally wrong and does not understand. What you are feeling is totally natural. I commend you for thinking outside of the firehouse and asking for advice. My advise is don't do what I do and take time for you and your wife now, as soon there will be a little one who takes up alot of time and energy and the time for you two will be gone. Take a leave from the Volunteer Dept. if the rest of the members are true brothers they will understand and support you. Use your vacation, sick or kelly time from the full time Dept. and use it for some recovery time. Be there for your wife and newborn as they will need you and take time for yourself. Good Luck and Congratulations!
-
Permalink Reply by Chief622 on
-
Thank you all for the advice. Lots of good points. There was no questioning that when my child comes here that the FD will be taking the back seat. I still love going on calls and doing training, as long as we dont have 4 or 5 a month. I think i have decided that i will be writing a request for leave of absence from both the Vol. and Part-time job probably for most of the rest of the year. My full time job is a Fire/EMS/Law 911 dispatcher for the County which will not totally take me 100% away but it will get me away from the things that i seem to be burning out on like meetings, BS stuff (which comes with my officer position), and fundraisers. However like someone on here said 50 yrs ago i wasnt there and 50 years from now i wont be so they will survive! I will definately enjoy the time off with my family as well as put some time in the treestand bowhunting and coon hunting with my hound. Thanks again for the support and suggestions.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeff Ripley on
-
The bottom line here is to pace yourself. Effective producers tend to get taken advantage of - there's always so much needing done - and we often don't recognize it until long after the balance has tilted against us. Saying "sorry, can't help with that, family priorities come first," goes a long way in maintaining your attitude and your reputation as a team player. Now, if I would just take my own advice... :) That sweet new baby will really change things - hang in there.
-
Permalink Reply by Paul R. Krug on
-
Get out of it for a while until the kids are older. I did. I was a ff/emt for nine years through college years. Got out of it when I went to police academy and got married (1st wife big mistake). Now my daughters older and wife #2 is pretty cool. Life is in order and I moved to a new area. Now I'm back in the game. I missed it the whole time out. It's great to be back. Focus on your family and career. There's always time down the road.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
