Firefighting is one of the most dangerous jobs, but it’s also rewarding.  As a junior member, I grab tools, run hoses, and change air packs for the other Corry firefighters.  Corry is a low call city in comparison to Warren, which means that we have lots of time to ourselves.  We chill at the station by playing video games, talking about random stuff, or eating.  I like the brotherhood that all the firefighters have.  From the scene support, to the chief of the department, we are brothers!  It takes courage to take this path and get the job done correctly and fast.

Firefighting is very dangerous because you can go into a house and as soon as you open the door, a wave of fire burns you in seconds.  It’s called a back draft and it’s one of the leading causes of death among firefighters.  When you get into the house, a piece of the house could fall on you and get knocked out.  There are so many things that could hurt you during a fire.

Firefighting is rewarding.  There are some days when you have a call and you jump and the truck to go to it.  Before the truck is on scene,  you have time to calm yourself in the midst of the sirens and yelling.  The challenge for me is that adrenaline takes me over and I don’t think straight.  My advice: calm down and hum a catchy song that will get stuck in your head.  The other challenging thing for me is when I’m at the station, a call could go off at any moment.  I stay on my toes and wait for a call.

Firefighting is a really cool job, but its not something anyone can do. It requires a lot of mental and physical strength.  It also teaches you skills like first aid and medical.  It also has an emotional toll.  Statistically, as a firefighter, at some point, someone is going to die in your arm.  It’s a lot to take in, but this is truly an awesome job but dangerous.