Becoming a firefighter (my son)?

Question

My 16 year old son has expressed some interest in becoming a firefighter. I'm pleased with that and support him all the way. But...he slacks in school and doesn't enjoy reading, doesn't enjoy studying, etc...

I'm trying to tell him that even not so conventional jobs require college success, intelligence, and a drive for studying/learning.

What can I specifically tell him about the rigors of becoming a firefighter?? I know being a fireman is very challenging, honorable, skill demanding, and requires studying and learning.

Thanks,

George

Answer 1

Firefighting is very commendable. Sign him up as a volunteer at your local fire dept. and I bet you'll see improvement as his self-esteem goes up.

Answer 2

As a reitired Fire/EMS guy(disability), and a father of a son that was failing in High school...thought I'd give you my 2 cents worth.  My son was failing miserably in High School.  I believe he couldn't learn in the same way that the majority can and the schools are geared for. He is sharp and intelligent but the school didn't recognize the difference but they did manage to place "labels" on him...treat him like a looser and call him the same etc.  I think he had a few self esteem issues, and he had to deal with my divorce, etc.

  I tried everything to motivate him, like you.  In the end, the school was treating him in a way that so badly eroded his self-esteem....I made him ! drop out.  Against all common beliefs.  I knew he was capable of doing any thing he wanted unless his self-confidence and self-esteem where shatered.

  During part of that time he was a volunteer cadet on our Fire Dept. and I believe he also just couldn't see  what revelance their was beyond the basics (and so burned out from the negativity at school...and could care less.)

  My attempts at motivation kind of changed from you can't get anywhere with out a degree....to "you can accomplish anything you want with a burning desire to do something, with your great personality AND a great work ethic (seems to be lacking in kids around here)...and a belief in yourself.

  After spinning his wheels for a year or so he went to work for a large manufatured lumber company and was running the quality control department within a year and just breaking into management,  when his own marriage failed and he left to try to salvage it.  Another downward spiral but he never lost his good attitude or optomism (wish I could say he got that from me...but can't)

   After "extricating" him from a dicy situation out of state envolving his marriage, we did some logging on the side...and talked alot.

  He was never happier than when in the woods but I kept making the point that it might be nice to have a more reliable job which would enable him to make enough money to play in the woods on his days off...while doing something he liked.

   After suggesting a few? times that he volunteer as a part time Deputy in Corrections for the Sheriff, he finally did.

  He got his GED, got on full time in Corrections, loved it (for awhile).  At the same time was a Reserve cop for a small department. He was vitrually running the jail within a year but wanted" on the road".  His outstanding attitude and ability to overcome the adversity internally really won him over.  He soon got a job with a Police agency,  breezed thru the acadamy (so much for his fears about school) and shortly after accepted a job with a city Police agency near by which he loves and is doing well.  He was also offered the Chiefs job in a struggling agency that he turned down.  

  Once he got envolved with something he liked, found out he was good at it, etc...there was no stopping him.

   A long story that probably doesn't help you much but thought maybe something in it would ring true.

   I''m the last to reccoment not going to college but perhaps he needs some encouragement that it's not the end of the world if he doesn't right away.  It would be nice if he could get some experience somewhere as a volunteer/cadet if there is any available.  

   Another option is see if he wants to start preparing for the entrance tests mosts departments give.  There are study manuals available for these.  It would give him an idea of what he needs to know and what he better study for to prepare.  There is plenty of info and books on fire behavior, tactics etc too.  It should either motivate him or convince him he doesn't want to.

   Wish I could do it all over.  I"d be a cop.  Little too old now but I'm in the same boat again....what to do with my re-invention and the next 50 years....and I find myself making the same excuses I did when I was 17.

Answer 3

Have him check the local departments out. Have him ask the firefighters there what courses they may have had to take, prior to entering or after completing the Fire Academy.  

Also, a lot of departments are now requiring all firefighters to be Basic Emergency Medical Technicians.  This is a 110-136 hour course of instruction.  Has a LOT of studying, and reading required.