7 reasons firefighters need to find a second job
Attention firefighters! Politicians come to balance your household and family budget. It is no secret that firefighters have to become more involved in the political world to fight for the rights and benefits that others of previous generations have fought for and won for. Now, when times are tough, politicians seek pensions, salaries, and benefits. Stations are closed and the workload increases. Basically firefighters will work harder for less.
That is not to say that firefighters still don’t have good profits. So why would you say firefighters need to look for a second job? Read on to discover the top 7 reasons firefighters should consider a second job.
7) Training, training and more training. Being a firefighter, literally, is an all-risk job. Almost the only thing they don’t do is shoot people. Even then, firefighters can be caught in such situations. By finding a second job, you can become an expert in more than just firefighting. A lot of firefighters are contractors or mountaineers or whatever. These people can organize small training sessions in their area of expertise that interest them and that can help other firefighters if they ever have to deal with a problem with those topics. Or they can apply their area of expertise to help the department or staff.
6) Have something to look forward to with retirement around the corner is crucial. Just as new firefighters have to worry about being laid off, older firefighters need to find an outlet other than work that allows them to have something to look forward to. In addition, many retirees do not retire with their full salary, so they also seek to live on less income … a fixed income. They may not need a second job, but it’s an option, unlike running calls into their 60s.
5) Say goodbye to overtime. Many departments may already be at this point due to many cuts, however, there are other departments that have frozen hiring, which means terms are over and overtime is plentiful. The problem is that if departments start closing stations (what they are doing) or repairing platforms (what they are doing), overtime disappears. And many firefighters have gotten used to that little extra income, and it will start to disappear.
4) Some firefighters may need have some extra skills in case the “L” word is used. For the most part, politicians aren’t dumb enough to fire firefighters, but that hasn’t stopped them from firing cops and sheriffs, and if things don’t improve, they’ll start closing more stations and starting firefighters. . The new hires will be expendable.
3) Probably firefighters having to accept a pay cut, give up some benefits, pay more for retirement or medical benefits… or something like that. In some cases, some of these scenarios can be considered. Firefighters enjoyed several years of good contracts, many with a lot of overtime and hiring. Today, the administration and politicians are trying to save themselves and looking for solutions. In the end, a check that firefighters take home will be less than in the past, at precisely the wrong time in this economic world.
2) By studying and learning something other than firefighting, you can find a way out that help you mentally deal with the job of a firefighter. Obviously, during the first few years, firefighters must learn as much as they can, and they must continue to do so throughout their careers. However, opening a book on woodworking, computer programming, or how to start selling quilts online can help take your mind off some of the things that you have to deal with. Everyone needs an outlet, and a firefighter work schedule can allow them to learn another skill and have a second job that is interesting, lucrative, and most of all, stress reliever.
1) Firefighters should have a backup plan for injuries.. It doesn’t matter if you’re on your first call or your last, the possibility of a life-changing, debilitating injury is always present. It doesn’t take much to pop a disc, twist a knee, or rip a shoulder … among other injuries. Along with that are communicable diseases that can leave someone forever. There is workers’ compensation insurance and other insurance, but the way things are these days, covered with attorneys, it’s best to have things lined up for you. Our health is the most important thing we have and we put it at stake every day. It’s time for the firefighters to make sure they have a financial setup too, just in case.