Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/458422
BEING A FIREFIGHTER IS CHALLENGING… because it takes a toll on you physically and mentally. At times firefight- ers may not sleep for 48 to 72 hours. Firefighters will experience "adrenaline dumps" that affect their cardio- vascular system over a 30- to 40-year career. Firefight- ers are constantly exposed to toxic substances like hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and carcinogens in smoke. It's a very physical job. Twenty to 30 per- cent of students in the Fire Academy drop out, mainly because they didn't realize being a firefighter is so physically and mentally demanding. Also, 85 percent of all calls are for medical emergencies. So if you can't handle seeing bodily fluids or people in pain or being around traumatic injuries, the job is not for you. P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S C O T T B U S C H M A N THE QUALITIES OF BEING A GOOD FIREFIGHTER ARE… self-initiative, self-motivation, integ- rity, humility, experience and education. Know where your weaknesses are and work on them, because something you're not good at could cost someone their life. THE FIELD IS CHANGING… with the ever- changing fire environment and building construction advances. We need to be- come aware of how this affects our strat- egies and tactics. Firefighters don't just fight fires, either. We are "All Risk Emer- gency Responders." We've had to change to become more relevant in today's world. Firefighters need to have the ability to respond to any kind of emergency that the public may call 911 about. Some examples are hazardous materials emergencies (i.e., bioterrorism, weapons of mass destruc- tion, chemical waste dumping), swift water rescues in the American and Feath- er rivers, and technical rescues (confined space, trench, high and low angle res- cues). Some things haven't changed, such as rescuing a cat up a tree, although as far as I can tell, nobody has ever seen the skeleton of a cat up a tree. GOING FROM FIREFIGHTING TO TEACHING… has been a wonderful opportunity. When I became injured, it was scary. But I got very lucky with this job. It's some- thing I can do that I'm passionate about, and it's within my physical limitations. I love the fire service, and teaching keeps me involved with the firefighting com- munity. As a firefighter, you spend one-third of your life with other firefighters, and they become your second family. I'm still best friends with the men and women I worked with, and I count my blessings every day. THE BEST PART OF TEACHING… is seeing my students get jobs. I think being a firefighter is the dream job for many, and because it's such a competitive process to become a firefighter, my biggest reward is seeing my graduates out in the field, doing their jobs and protect- ing the lives of others. Perspectives 27 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 6 IN MATTHEW'S WORDS