Positives & Negatives of being a firefighter?

[Numpty]

G'day all,
Am interested in the positives/highlights and negatives of being a firefighter viewed by people currently in the MFS.

Cheers

[6739264]

"Job's filtered" ;)

[SA Firey]

Some would say depends on whether you are paid or volunteer, but both are rewarding if you are passionate about what yo DO.

Just a pity politics is usually at play in either :-P

[Darius]

he said MFS (so paid/volunteer doesn't come into it)

[Hazmat206]

PROS:
1)satisfaction in helping people out
2)more variety of type of jobs
3)Scanias not hino or isuzus!
$different challenge every day

CONS:
1)polotics
2)too much training!

[RescueHazmat]

-Might want to read his Q again safirey.

-Never too much training 206.. ~ Unless you in those friendly G/T suits.. Then I would agree, WAYYY to much training at this time of year! ;)

[Alex]

As a comms operator with SAMFS, would have to say a couple of positives are definitely shift structure & leave system.

[Hazmat206]

Yes, the shift structure is another advantage

[Morph]

 
I'm on the outside looking in (in SAPOL and trying to get into SAMFS).
For what it's worth, I can tell you from where I'm currently standing, the pro's look pretty damn good to me!

I'm thinking:
1) '4-on, 4-off' shift pattern & how it fits in beautifully with family life 
   (and therefore positive knock on effect on loved ones, lifestyle, physical & 
   psychological health),
2) better working conditions,
3) lower stress levels,
4) stronger  culture of teamwork,
5) relationship with community,
6) non-confrontational role,
7) professional pride & self esteem,
8) being able to train & work out at work with great gym facilities
9) and the fact that everyone loves the Firies.

I'm not naive to the fact there will be cons and the ever-dreaded office/macro level politics (as in all jobs). I'm also looking at a significant pay-drop if I'm lucky enough to get in but given the quantum leap forward in terms of quality of life (and the positive impact on my family), I'd gladly make the move tomorrow if I could. :-)


 

[Alex]

No doubt about the fact the firie/ambo shift system kicks the crap out of police shift system mate.

[bittenyakka]

what is the police system?

[Morph]

what is the police system?

Completely ****** for health & family life! I can't give away specifics but generally speaking it is basically blocks of 7, give or take a shift or two with varying numbers of days off in between, ranging from 2 to a max of 4 RDO's which comes around every 5 weeks or so.

[boredmatrix]

I'm hearing ya

ex was a copper....with my 10/14's and her 5 week roster it was like ships in the night.....

eventually we missed the lighthouse and wound up on the rocks but thats another story!  :)