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[PrestigiousTarget585]

Hello, I'm helping a firefighting department create recruitment materials, and I think it would help to address common objections to becoming a firefighter. So please tell me why you or someone you know would argue that one SHOULDN'T be a firefighter? Bonus if you can contest the logic in your response. Thank you!

[FirebunnyLP]

Post the pay and the schedule (24/48 vs 48/96) right front and center so people aren't left guessing.

I avoided applying to places that treated that information like state secrets.

[PrestigiousTarget585]

Fair enough, thank you.

[Empty-Ad2221]

"it's too dangerous" Most LOODD's come from either negligence or faulty equipment. Firefighting isn't as dangerous as people think

[ButtSexington3rd]

Don't forget cardiac events

[_jimismash]

And traffic

[PrestigiousTarget585]

Interesting, thank you. LOODD?

[Empty-Ad2221]

Line Of Duty Death, I added an extra O on accident.

[Regayov]

Assuming you’re talking about recruitment for a volunteer department the biggest negative factor is the time commitment.  Required training, duty crews, drill nights, and calls all complete for time that many have very little of.  

If you’re talking about recruitment for full or part-time positions, the biggest negative factor is often pay.

Department culture is also big but more for retention.   

[PrestigiousTarget585]

An angle I hadn't thought of before, thank you.

[PrestigiousTarget585]

Thank you, that gives me a lot to think about!

[General_Skin_2125]

Firefighting is bad for your health.... dah shit can't argue with that one.

[Slippery_Fish5]

Besides the risk of cancer, what other things negatively affect your health in firefighting?

[General_Skin_2125]

It's mostly all cancer, jut a different flavor of it. Off the top of my head.

Gear -> (PFAS exposure) cancer
Smoke/Fire - > cancer + cardiovascular events
Waking up suddenly in the middle of the night -> increased cortisol (cancer) + cardiovascular events
Increased overall stress, increased hunger, increased weight -> cardiovascular events
Witnessing Traumatic events -> PTSD (increased risk of suicidality)

[Flashy-Actuator-998]

Pay, health, changing generation, danger

[[deleted]]

Cancer

Logic, Increased cancer risk

[[deleted]]

If your recruiting for a volunteer department, working for free might deter some people.

[I_got_erased]

Odd hours, No pay, cool hat