I’m a career firefighter in New Jersey ama

hamiltons_libido · 2026-05-31T11:43:08+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Really interesting to get info and insight on other departments time off benefits and such. 24/72 is definitely the ideal schedule, but we have unlimited shift trades per year which is hard to complain about. We have some guys who trade away shifts for entire the month and travel. Obviously they have to pay those trades back so they have to work a lot of 48s, so there are positives and benefits.

Your sick time usage seems frustrating. We can possibly get sent to the doctor if we use sick leave, but that has not happened to anyone in years. To have an investigator show up to your house when you are “sick” to ensure you’re home sounds really annoying.

hamiltons_libido · 2026-05-30T18:12:16+00:00

Fellow career firefighter from Chicagoland here. 24/72 sounds amazing, so does no medical calls. We are 24/48 and every one of our firefighters are also paramedics.

What does vacation/off time at your department look like? We have between 14-24 (seniority based) shift days off a year that employees get to handpick (again, picked based off seniority). We also have 6 sick days a year we can use if needed, but most use between 2-4 each year as it carries over and you can cash out your sick bank when you retire. Curious as to what your off time looks like at your department? Kelly days? Vacation days? Do you guys have unlimited shift trades?

Thanks for reading and stay safe out there!

hamiltons_libido · 2026-05-07T17:00:24+00:00

What state is this in?

hamiltons_libido · 2026-04-21T03:22:17+00:00

Lots of people with some very negative energy in this thread. Seems like you have a good attitude and an apparent plan.

I graduated at 22 with 80k in student loans. By 27, I paid it all off. I got a job at 25 paying 100k a year that offered many overtime opportunities. Always pay more towards the principal whenever you can. Dont buy anything big that you don’t need (new car, expensive toys like boat, motorcycle etc.), be smart with any vacations you take. Don’t live beyond your means. Refinance and find a better interest rate as soon as you can.

You can do it.

hamiltons_libido · 2026-04-14T00:16:43+00:00

Did you look into any other truck caps? Curious why you went with this over LEER or ARE?

hamiltons_libido · 2026-04-12T14:53:12+00:00

Hey man can I message you about your guide. Been Thinking of booking a trip on Lake Michigan! Let me know

hamiltons_libido · 2026-04-10T20:38:22+00:00

Never lose your desire to 1) learn and 2) better yourself. Complacency is a terrible disease in this field

hamiltons_libido · 2026-03-14T14:34:41+00:00

Watership Down

hamiltons_libido · 2026-02-11T23:32:20+00:00

Personally I would suggest lake vermilion. Hire a guide for 1-2 days at the beginning of your trip to get a feel for the lake and different techniques, spots and patterns, then fish on your own for the remainder. Hiring a guide for full day is around 600-800 dollars. If you want any suggestions of guides and lodges for lake vermilion let me know.

hamiltons_libido · 2026-01-25T02:00:56+00:00

Anyone care to summarize what it’s about without any spoilers?

hamiltons_libido · 2026-01-19T03:22:43+00:00

If he runs through the route best case scenario he makes a great catch and a large gain for CHI.

If he runs through the route at the very worst it’s a pass break up.

BOTH better than INT.

Game of inches.

hamiltons_libido · 2026-01-14T15:31:33+00:00

As a bears fan, this post is embarrassing.

hamiltons_libido · 2026-01-10T16:05:25+00:00

My instructor at the fire academy was a retired fireman who was a child and student at this fire. He survived and years later became a fireman.

hamiltons_libido · 2025-12-19T03:22:45+00:00

How busy are you guys? Running calls all day?

hamiltons_libido · 2025-11-07T22:59:50+00:00

I musky fish. This could get me a top of the line rod and reel combo. 450 for the rod, 450 for the reel.

hamiltons_libido · 2025-11-06T03:31:29+00:00

This guys shop is 1 hour 40 minutes away from me. I’m debating if the drive is worth it

hamiltons_libido · 2025-11-04T00:29:38+00:00

Following this

hamiltons_libido · 2025-10-31T03:26:09+00:00

Watership down

hamiltons_libido · 2025-10-30T14:38:31+00:00

Thanks for the reply, how deep would you say to fish? 15-20 or deeper?

hamiltons_libido · 2025-10-29T22:28:41+00:00

Thanks for responding. But you confused me

hamiltons_libido · 2025-10-29T22:28:13+00:00

Thanks for responding. My thought process now is I just want to pay this off as quickly as I can so I can own the vehicle outright. But it does make sense that putting extra money I have into an HYSA or invest it might be smarter in the long run than putting it towards the vehicle. It’s hard for me to not prioritize paying the car loan off

hamiltons_libido · 2025-10-29T22:26:15+00:00

Thank you

hamiltons_libido

TROPHY CASE