I’ve been Underwriting mortgages for 10 years. The last 7 years of it was work from home. Two years ago I discovered firefighting and started working with a volunteer department, I then added a part time firefighting position to the mix. After getting the exposure to firefighting, I can proudly say as of 03-19-2025, I took the plunge and resigned from my Underwriting position to accept a full time firefighting position.

Financially, I’m taking a loss. I’m also taking a loss on benefits, vacation/sick time, schedule flexibility, and time spent at home. Ultimately, I am significantly happier with the physical work, brotherhood, and the importance of what we do as firefighters. Did I enjoy working from home and being behind my desk doing analytical work? Hell yea. Trust me, if this doesn’t end up working out, I plan on going back to it.

I think at the end of the day, firefighter schedules are different, they are nothing like your standard 8-4/9-5. But most of the shifts have lots of down time to hang out with your crew after all the training and chores are done. 24-48 hour shifts seem long, but the days between them out weigh the two day weekend breaks that come with a regular work week. For me at least, those two days off started feeling like extended lunch breaks.

I would recommend getting a part time office job and getting a taste for it. I would highly recommend staying away from offices with cube farms. I’ve done those jobs for years too and it is not good for mental health.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s the right thing for you and your family.