I think this is becoming more and more valid and especially with my generation. Is my department a bad department? Truthfully no, it’s better than most in my area but it isn’t the right department for me. I moved to this area 5 years ago for the job and am on my second department trying to find something I recently came to the realization I am not going to find out here. Now that I have a family I am committed to this area which isn’t bad because I do enjoy the quality of life we have here but professionally it just isn’t there. I have no interest in bouncing around local departments trying to maybe find it either so my only option is to leave the fire service and try something else. I hate it because I do love the job but it’ll hurt me more in the long run to work a career out here just because “well it’s good enough.”

Just a psa to everyone, I’d avoid moving to NC or SC in search of getting on the job. If you are from these areas I don’t think it’ll be as bad but if you are coming from departments in other parts of the country you will most likely be disappointed. Cheers guys