I joined the fire department at the age of 18, and remained active for 13 years. I had moved out of the district, so my fire fighting was put on hold due to being a single parent. Having to raise my children, and working, I had little time to due much of anything else. After being
out of the fire service for near 20 years, I found that I had the time again to do something for my community, so I joined my local fire department at the age of 55. It's great to be back duing something I long missed.
He wanted to do it for a very very long time. Just got bogged down with "life". Im sure we can all relate to that! Worked hard to get there ..was a paid call reserve for a few years, was paid call "of the year"...finally hired him. 3 years later he was sitting up front driving.
My first experience was when I was 20. Then it was the Army, the family, and not living in a vol area. At 54 I became a vol again, have been through just about every training course I can. I'm enjoying this (unpaid) job. Am I as fit as the 20yo members? I bloody well hope not, they should be able to beat me easily at that game. But I'm more flexible/agile than some of them...
How long will I stay? How long is a piece of string? As long as I know I can do it, do it safely and do it well, I'll stay with it.