Personal Narrative: A Career As A Firefighter

All of the journeys that lead to greatness start with a dream, whether it is big or small, but what the person does with their dream is what controls whether it comes true. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney. Anyone can have a dream but just like Walt Disney said, they need to have the courage to pursue them if they are to come true. Even today, if a child is asked what they dream of being when they grow up, they usually answer with a police officer or firefighter. The reason for this is because at such a young age all they are interested in is superheroes who save people and the closest thing they have to a superhero is a police officer or firefighter. My answer to this question of course was
Everyone knows that firefighting is a physical job, but most people do not realize just how strenuous it can be.” Being a firefighter is a very physically demanding job and candidates need to be able to withstand the physical requirements of the profession. Therefore they need to be physically fit and work out on a regular basis because they will be required to take a strenuous physical exams upon applying. This physical exam will consist of stair climbs on stepmill, lifting/carrying ladder a set distance and knowing how to rack and unrack it from the vehicle, pulling a fire hose 50ft through a set obstacle course in which you must complete in 20.00 Seconds, forcible entry through obstacles, and rescue through a doorway (Vitalie). Not only do candidates need to be able to withstand the physicality of the career but the psychological and mental stress of the
According to the the team and authors of an article called “How to Become a Firefighter”, “By going to a college such as University of New Haven, you will be trained for work in jobs such as a fireman, fire investigator, fire arson, fire inspector, and other useful jobs in the emergency responder field.” The type of education students will receive by majoring in this field is knowledge in how to suppress and extinguish fires with hoses, pumps, and additional apparatus, evacuate fire structures and treat victims, drive and operate emergency vehicles, maintain equipment, and participate in public education. Each of these skills and lessons are required according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Even if someone is hired on with all of these certifications and degrees they should not stop there. Life is something that never stops teaching our society and with new advancements in technology and medicine, firefighters can still take classes to advance their