MPFFU
MPFFU
 

×
Register an Account
Forgot Login?
Two Families
May 10, 2016

Two Families

When you are a firefighter, you have two families: your family at home and your family at the firehouse. You have a big commitment to both. Taking on the job of a firefighter means that your family at home will have to make sacrifices just as you do in order to gain the rewards of the job.

The more you are prepared for what to expect in terms of how the job will impact your life and relationships at home, the better able you will be to prepare your loved ones and get them on board so that you can all reap the rewards of being part of the fire service together.  

Here’s what you need to know.

Family at Home

Whether you have a spouse and children at home, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or extended family like parents and siblings, it is important that you talk to them about the nature of the job even before you begin to prepare. Open communication will make sure that the dynamic at home between you and the rest of the family is as positive as possible, allowing for everyone to ask questions and prepare in their own ways for what is to come.

Sacrifice and Challenge

One of the biggest sacrifices that you and your family will face is the fact that you will not be at home or available as much as you used to be. Though this may seem easy enough to accept on face value, it is important that it is clear that you will likely miss holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays from time to time. You will also be unavailable to assist at home if there is a home-related emergency. The more you identify the challenges that may arise as part of the new lifestyle you will all be embracing, the less likely it is that resentment will be a factor later on.

Some of these challenges will begin even before you get the job. As you prepare to become a firefighter, you will likely enroll in paramedic school or fire academy that will take 4-6 months to complete. These courses are intense, requiring your time and attention seven days a week: classes and labs on weekdays followed by intensive study and preparation on the weekends. Additionally, you will need to invest a great deal of time and effort into studying for the written exam as you apply to different fire departments. The test requires reading comprehension, personal relations, mechanical, and math skills. You will also need to prepare for oral interviews as well – all of which should occur far in advance of the application process to make sure you are prepared and ahead of the curve.

Though this means you will not be able to party on the weekends or go on vacation, if your family is behind you and cheering you on along the way, it will make the process easier on everyone.

On the Job

Additionally, on the job, some challenges that are worth noting include:

  • Sleep disruption: Long shifts (e.g., 24-hour, 48-hour, and even 72-hour shifts) can translate into long naps at home, sleeping during the day if you are up all night, and emotional disconnection until you are back on track with your sleep schedule.

  • Exposure to danger: It can be stressful for family members to watch fires on TV, and wonder and worry if you are safe. Let them know that there are support systems in place for them at these times and that they do not have to go through it alone.

  • Exposure to trauma: On the job, you will see people experience their worst – and sometimes, their last – days. Constant exposure to intense trauma and stress can translate into high stress, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms for you, which can be difficult for your family to manage as well. Resources are available to firefighters and their family members to assist them in managing stress and trauma, and to work on relationship dynamics when they are negatively impacted by the job.

  • Health problems: Smoke exposure, exposure to unknown chemicals and toxicants, and accidents on the job can add up to lifelong health problems that can significantly impact the individual and the family. Talking about the risks can help your family to know what to look out for and what resources are available for treatment and family support.

  • Family support: You may miss anniversaries, birthdays, holidays and other big events at home. You may not be available right away if an earthquake hits or there is another emergency. Though you will be supported in the event that a family member has a medical emergency, you will not be able to go home to help out if, for example, a tire blows out or the dryer breaks. Your family will have to navigate these issues with your text and phone support if you are on duty. However, there are supports in place for your family when you are on the job. For example, if you are on duty on a holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving, many departments serve a huge meal and invite family members to attend so you can be together.

But do not forget to emphasize the rewards as well. There are a number of benefits to being a firefighter. Pride, integrity, and community service, not to mention the second family you will all acquire from being part of the firehouse, are things that are rarely found in the average job. If your family is on board, all can benefit from your new career.

Family at Work

When you are hired at a firehouse, you become a member of the family. The whole team from the chiefs to other firefighters to EMTs to the professionals in the community that you work with will become a regular part of your life. Just like your family at home, positive communication and working together to get the job done will help everyone involved to have an easier time accomplishing what they need to do.

Of course, when you have a number of different personalities working together in stressful situations and under pressure, there is going to be friction. Learning how to handle stressful situations as they arise the right way can make all the difference in your experience at work.

Balance

Having two families can be a great experience, both for you and for your family members at home and on the job. Learning how to strike a balance between the two will take time and experience. You are likely to make a few mistakes along the way, but there are resources in place to help you learn as much as possible in advance and get the help you need when you need it.


-
MPFFU
1651 Kingsway Ct., Suite E
Trenton, MI 48183
  734-675-0206

Top of Page image
Powered By UnionActive - Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.