How do you know if firefighting is right for you?

The best firefighters are those who have the ability to maintain their composure while, multi-tasking and thinking on their feet in the face of life and death emergencies. They must be able to organize a great deal of information in a short period of time under extreme mental, physical and psychological conditions.

Is firefighting a good career for me?

Firefighting is a rewarding career that offers a very high level of job satisfaction. Being a firefighter is a great job if you enjoy helping people and serving your community, but be aware that it can be demanding, stressful, and even dangerous at times.

Can you join the fire service with mental health issues?

You can be a firefighter with a mental illness, but it will depend on how severe the illness is and how it is managed. You will need to show that you can meet all the required standards and are able to safely perform all the job tasks of a firefighter. However, many others will not prevent you from getting a fire job.

What is the most difficult part of being a firefighter?

Firefighters are susceptible to burns, smoke inhalation and crush injuries from collapsing structures. They can suffer from heat exhaustion, as well as long-term job-related illnesses such as asthma, persistent coughing, heart disease, cancer and lung damage.

Can firefighters have anxiety?

Compared with the general population and most other occupations, firefighters face higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, alcoholism, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and tobacco use -- and they also are more likely to resist mental health support, according to data from USFA, the National