What made you want to be a Fire Fighter?

[JGallagher]

What defining moment made you want to become a Fire Fighter? Was it some thing you saw or some thing some one said to you? For me it was one night, that my father was brining me home from Sea Cadets. Well my Father who is a Police Officer got a call to attend a fire call. Well when we got there the trucks were there and the guys were there doing there thing. Well from that moment on I was hooked. It was some thing in side of me that went off. The Fire is still inside of me. Every time that I see the trucks with the lights on and hear the sirens. I still get excited when the Pager goes off.

[telesquirt]

I saw a t-shirt the other day that seems to sum things up nicely!

I fight fires because the voices in my head tell me to.

:D

[bestcoast]

Simple: I was told the guys got a discount at the Dairy Queen down the road from 3 hall......:eek: :eek:

[wilderness]

As a kid my cousin started a fire in our basement bedroom, we were ushered outside and the firehall roof siren was sounded and then the whine of the siren could be heard.... since then i,ve been hooked....

[Brando]

Ive been hooked from the get-go too. When I was a kid we had a chimney fire at out house. The FD came, and I knew thats what I wanted to do. I mean when your a kid, you always like sirens and big trucks, but its different when its in your blood.

Plus emergency response has always been a family tradition. Both my grandparents were firefighters, my dad and brother are paramedics. There was no hope for me either!:)

[BillyBlazes]

KMG 365
Squad 51 responding
Gage and Desoto

TV show made me what I am today!

[hrecruit]

to start My grandfather was a firefighter along with 2 uncle's and one cousin. my family and I narrowly missed being killed by a house fire in dec 84 when I was 3 years old. no one could find me I had hid under my parent's bed where 2 firefighters found me. I've been around department's my whole life got pictures back as far as 2 years old on the back of pumpers with gear on.

[Whitewater_419]

For me, it was more of the welcome and support our village gave to my family when we moved here and I wanted to give something back.

We moved from Toronto to a small village in Ontario of 900 people - so going from 'city folk' to a rural village was quite a change - in addition to that, my son is severely handicapped - One of my fears was that in a small town, he'd be ostracized as being too different. I was proven wrong, wrong, wrong - the people in this village are amazing, so I wanted to give something back that meant just as much.

I wouldn't change a thing, either :)

[Hensrud]

I got a similar story as hrecruit with the family back ground deal. Dad was one, uncle is just a recently retired captain, cousins as well. Majority of my sports coaches that I have had were also firefighters. The thing that really made me want to get into this business was when I got an opportunity to do work experiance here at the hall when I was in highschool. I found it to be a great program and think that other FDs should do so as well.

[heavyduty]

Well I first got into the fire dept when I was only 14. My brothers were at a dump fire, they needed some stuff hauled up for the guys so my mom and I ran the supplies up. The chief said thanks and told me to a meeting. For the first four years I wasnt allowed to do much. Anyways that gave me the nuddge to take up firefighting, then the satisfaction of helping people started to realy grow on me. Then something tragic happend. My bestfriend
got killed on his quad, I started rely thinking about life and relized if I die tommorow I want to know that I lived my dreams out. Pretty much from that day on I have dedicated myself to the journey of becoming a firefighter. I am going to train all next year and apply the following spring. Maybe this post will even inspire someone else to follow their dreams.

[FFWannabe]

I had to laugh at the "voices in my head" comment.. too funny! Well, like James, my father was a police officer, as were two of my uncles and 5 cousins, most in the RCMP, but also in various city police forces across Eastern Canada. I also have two cousins who are level three EMT's and all of my life I just wanted to wear a uniform, work hard and give back to the community I lived in. It's pretty simple for me, I feel it's in my blood. I grew up primarily wanting to be a police officer, but a few years back I started to think that being a fire fighter, really getting my hands dirty and really being able to contribute to the outcome of someone's future (personal or property) and (not to sound corny), to be able to get into the community and really try to make a difference and be a positive role model.
I just want to be anonymous, work my butt off, make a difference and not have to carry a gun or have one pointed at me!! :) Besides, I'm as strong as an Ox, so it would be nice to have a reason for it!! :)

So... still working on becoming a fire fighter actually... sitting on a list and praying for an interview! :)

Sue :)

[fireman2697]

BACK AROUND 1985/86 I WATCHED OUR LOCAL
FIRE DEPT BATTLE A LARGE BLAZE THROUGH OUT THE NITE AND EARLY MORNING. I THOUGHT HERES A BUNCH OF VOL. HELPING THERE NEIGHBOUR .THAT WAS GREAT, TO SEE PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE ,BEEN HOOK EVER SINCE;) :D

[firepole1204]

the fire chief of our village asked me a few times to join up cause i spend alot of my time in the village with my work and had some time to put into the dept. So i figured what the hell, i'll give it a try. good decision. plus i have a brother in the same dept. who has been in for quite a while. it's been great so far!

[iamvff]

If some one had told me that at 27 years old that I would move my wife and 6 week old daughter from a city of 45,000, that I grew up in, to a small town of 1200 90 miles away to run a body shop at a GM Dealership and by 28 I would be on a fire dept (Volunteer). I would have told them they were absolutely crazy!!! Well, here I am 15 years later, and 14 years on the VFF. I tried a service club for about 6 mos. before I joined the VFF and they do great work, but it was just not my bag. Ya just did'nt seem to get dirty enough. The local Fire Dept. approached me at the body shop and told me they had bought an older ambulance and wanted to paint it. They did not have much money and wondered if I would donate my time to help paint it. I said sure. Me and all the Fire guys got together on a Saturday and everyone sanded and preped to rescue van. It was a blast (and of course a few beer didn't hurt)That afternoon myself and an older fella that used to paint went atter and got the rest of the job done. I got to tell ya there was some pretty crude work done to that poor ambulance that day, but due to the limited daylite it see's over the years, we still have it today and it looks pretty darn good. That day the Chief also coincidently(sp) brought along an extra pager and handed it to me when he walked in the door. I told him I would join but I did not want to go to car accidents because I did not think I could deal with it. A week or so later we got called to a car fire on the highway and it turned out to be a single vehicle roll over, 4 girls laying in the ditch, and nothing left of the car but 4 burning tires. I did not have a clue what to do with myself but I was sold on the addrenaline rush from that point on. I don't get quite the addrenaline rush any more but I do get just as excited every time I hear the pager go.

Sorry for the long winded story,
Be Safe
iamvff
PS- Thanks god you said that about the voices....I thought it was just me:D

[DFCSmash]

Every little kid is fascinated by red trucks with flashing lights and loud sirens. About 1970, a large fire occurred, and burned a local dry goods store to the ground. Along with some buddies, we watched the fire to about 10:00 at night when our mothers came to collect us. There were 5 departments at that fire. The next morning it was down to overhaul stage. This was an old building with a huge fire load and the fire was intense to say the least. It should be noted that while the building was a total loss, the buildings on BOTH sides survived with minimal smoke damage. In fact the bakery on one side was open for business the next day!
The hardware store on the other side, the day after because the owner was on the FD and was still working on the fire.

So after school one of my friends and I walked downtown to check it out. The local firefighters were mopping up, rolling hose and all that good stuff. No shift changes on a volunteer department, and most of these local businessmen had left their shops closed for the day while they finished up. So my buddy and I went over and asked if we could be of any help. In our "good" school clothes, we rolled hose, put it on the truck and helped to take it off and wash it at the hall. We were very dirty, and very proud that these men let us kids help. That dangled the hook for a nibble.

I found out about 15 years later, from my mom that one of the firemen had phoned both of our moms and said "When your boys get home they will be filthy and likely tired. Don't you dare yell at them. We'd been up for about 34 hours and they came to help us. I don't know what we would have done without them"

About 2 years later, the town upgraded the truck and changed the body off of the '48 Ford onto a '71 GMC. When the job was done, the Deputy Chief was backing the completed truck out of his garage(owned a gas station) just as my buddy and I were walking by. We were both admiring the shiny "new" red truck and he said "Jump on the back boys, I'm taking her down to the Fire Hall" So two 15 year old kids were the first to ride the tailboard of the new fire truck. Right down the main drag. The hook was set. From that day, I wanted on.

I was a bit of a wild youth, not bad, just loud and with a fast car. After I finished school, I applied, but was turned down. Went into the big city to work for about 5 years, met my wife and then returned to the small town to raise a family. Applied again, and was turned down. They all remembered the kid that left. So, I joined a local service club that a lot of FD members belonged to, signed up for the local linament league hockey team that a lot of FD members belonged to and waited a year. Applied again, was accepted and 21 years later, I am the deputy. I hope I am capable of making that same impression on youth in my community.

Sorry for this being so long, but I had to explain it all. And my buddy? The one I rolled hose with and rode the tailboard with? He's the Chief. Cooool eh?:cool:

On Edit: I am SO glad I am not the only one that hears the voices.
:)

[Toxic]

Several resons I guess. I was already doing hazmat so it wasn't such a stretch for using SCBA and such.

Community service - It got me active in the community after having dropped hockey. In the 80's my sister and bother in law also lost their newly renovated house shortly after the birth of my neice.

Tradition - My brother has been a volly for almost 30 years, my other brother, sister and bother in law have also all been volly's at one point.

Kicks - who wouldn't love freezing their butt off doing traffic control in minus 30 weather!:D

[fireemsmom]

I'll be honest... I'm not there yet and I have a ways to go...

I don't have any emergency in the blood. Unless you count the number of times my dad and grandpa have hurt themselves with their various carpentry tools.

I got hooked on the idea after taking my EMR class... there was a fire class running at the same time and hearing the guys talk about firefighting... well that's what got me hooked. I'm hoping to get into my EMT-A course next month (admission interview is tomorrrow!!!) and then after that find the money to take my 1001's.

Just thought I'd share!

Take care and stay safe...

fireemsmom

[Skidz]

I was asked by a guy on the volly dept. while he was putting my windshield in my truck. I never really gave it any thought before that, but after a few weeks got my first call to a grass fire. Came home black as night, tired and sore from all the walking and loved it ever since. Thanks to that simple offer to join the volly dept. I can't wake up in the morning without thinking about the fire dept. and making it a career. Thanks IMVFF!!

[iamvff]

Aw, I think I just blushed!:rolleyes:

Did we just bond, come on, did we????

Be safe
iamvff

[Skidz]

I thought your head would swell!! You better pop it before thursday or we'll have to take the truck to fit it!

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by Skidz
I thought your head would swell!! You better pop it before thursday or we'll have to take the truck to fit it!

You going to pop him the Fire Fighter way or the civilin with a pin?

[iamvff]

He had better use a pike pole because my head is pretty fat right now and he'll want to be as far away as possible:cool:

Be safe,
iamvff

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by iamvff
He had better use a pike pole because my head is pretty fat right now and he'll want to be as far away as possible:cool:

Be safe,
iamvff

There cant be that much in there to hurt us!!

[bestcoast]

Originally posted by JGallagher
There cant be that much in there to hurt us!!

Ouch!!

[iamvff]

No, not much at all, but the hot air will sting like a bastard:eek:

Wait a minute, how did I go from hero to air head:(

Oh well, if ya can't laugh at yourself.......everone else can!

Be safe,
iamvff

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by iamvff
No, not much at all, but the hot air will sting like a bastard:eek:

Wait a minute, how did I go from hero to air head:(

Oh well, if ya can't laugh at yourself.......everone else can!

Be safe,
iamvff

No hard feelings I hope!! Its all Fire House fun!!:D Peace?

[iamvff]

None at all, I get a laugh every time I check out FIREHALL! Besides, there's nothin you can say about me that they guys at our firehall haven't already said. Right Skidz! Humor is what keeps me "moderately" sane.

Have a great day,
Be safe,
iamvff

[lharrity]

just like many, it was just meant to be, altough nobody in my family does it, i got hooked and its now in my blood. I like helping people, and saving lives. Before i joined i looked at VFF's and though wow...they are better then regular FF's, they are willing to risk it all to serve and protect there community, and they do it for free and on top of everything else they do. From this point on, i new i was going to walk into the fire hall some night and sign up.

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by lharrity
they are better then regular FF's,

I hate to say it. But I DO NOT concider my self better then the regular guys. I put my self on equel footing with my counter parts.

[Kirk]

Check this link out....
I think it sums things up nicely.
http://ca.geocities.com/stmfdyfs/iwish.html

[18atone]

First off I would like to thank J. Gallagher for coming to the aid of all the career FF's out there.........THANKS.

When I was younger I was around a volunteer department where my father was a member. Great times and memories. That area got swallowed up by the rapidly growing city which is still expanding today so my choice was easy to make. The Calgary Fire Department is a group of wonderful people doing great work to protect people for all the right reasons in an ever changing and challenging enviroment, which is common in any modern big city. We are not better, or really all that different then our cousins in small towns. I salute the work you do and hope you can respect that though we get paid for what we do it is still more of a calling then most non-fire service people ever experience in their lives. You can never be paid enough to experience some of the things FF's see over a career, volunteer or otherwise...........agreed???

Most can never understand that which drives us in any form of the uniform, if we don't stand up for each other I wonder who will?

Voices............I am not certain, it has been so long.

What does the fire service mean to me? Child like awe .......at the beauty of the world because I have seen so much grief. The love of a good belly laugh because we know what it is like to work hard, heavy and dirty toil. I find it easy to enjoy the simple pleasures good friends bring. We as a group understand tomorrow is promise to no one so we live for time with the team and the glee of a great stunt or tease. A good nick name hung with care, or the pleasure of a warm coffee on unbending fingers. I can hardly recall what brought me to the job as it is all to easily remember each and every day what keeps me happy at the job. I am no hero or superman!! I am a brother who is there for his brothers and sisters, all of them fight to keep a distance between grief and friends; some of whom we have not met yet. They may not realize yet what kind of friend we FF's are so let us stick together showing our best face to this world of non-enlightened souls that we all protect.

What brought me to this service with you.............well I knew I would be in the company of fine people such as you!!!!!!!

To you, all my friends in this service of man kind........Thank you for putting up with my rant.

Be safe.

[FFWannabe]

Originally posted by Kirk
Check this link out....
I think it sums things up nicely.
http://ca.geocities.com/stmfdyfs/iwish.html

Kirk, that was really something... thanks for sharing.

Sue :)

[bestcoast]

Originally posted by JGallagher
I hate to say it. But I DO NOT concider my self better then the regular guys. I put my self on equel footing with my counter parts.

Well said JG. If you are "going in when other's are going out" you have my respect. Iharrity is just poking at a hornet's nest if you ask me....peace out.......BC....

[DFCSmash]

I wasn't even going to give Ihaggerty the dignity of a response to such an asinine comment. But I guess I have now. :rolleyes:

[JGallagher]

Thank you for the kind words Gentelmen. I work with a diverse group. They all started out as Volunteers and moved on to become regular members. This is why I put my self on the same level as them. Yes, I will be the first to say that they do more then us Volounteers. They operate the truck and make any decision that has to be made. They are the people who do not have the luxery of never comming back after a hard call. This is there life. There bread winning.

[FirefighterEMR]

Just a great all around lifestyle!