Firefighting is an honorable yet challenging profession that requires a unique set of skills. It’s a demanding field where you are required to take risks in the pursuit of the safety of others.
While formal education is necessary, there are also some personal traits that every firefighter should possess. This article will discuss these.
Table of Contents
What Traits Do Good Firefighters Need?
-Physical Fitness
The first one very obviously needs to be physical fitness. Of course, that’s not something attained naturally and needs hard work and dedication. You must be able to climb windows, carry heavy equipment, and even wear protective and heavy uniforms. There is rigorous training to make sure they are physically fit and strong.
-Courage
Being a firefighter requires a lot of bravery. You must deal with dangerous and potentially fatal circumstances every day and still put the lives of others above yours.
-Teamwork
You need to be a team player if you desire this profession. Fighters work in teams towards one goal, and it is necessary to have good team synergy because lives are at risk.
-Communication Skills
Firefighters must be able to communicate efficiently with others, like their team. The profession requires immediate plans to be made and understood and needs efficiency. It would be best if you often made the spot decision about what plan is best.
At the same time, when dealing with families and the public, they need to remain calm and give reassurance.
How Can You Achieve These Traits?
-Diet and Exercise
Good physical fitness can be achieved through regular exercise and a healthy diet. Firefighters should use strength training and cardiovascular exercises to build endurance and strength. At the same time, they should maintain a healthy diet with no intoxicants like cigarettes or alcohol. It can deplete your long-term health and make you lousy on the job.
-Teamwork Building Exercises
Teamwork skills can be developed through practice but also through bonding with one another. Create practice emergencies where you test your skills, share notes, and work on how you can improve. Your team must be built on people willing to work together rather than those who need the spotlight.
-Practice and Feedback
Problem-solving skills can be honed through practice and experience. Firefighters can take critical thinking or decision-making courses or participate in simulations to prepare for emergencies. Firefighter safety courses and cylinder training for firefighters are also vital. You may ask your leaders or superiors how to perform better on the job and work to continually improve your skills.
What to Avoid as a Firefighter
-Complacency
Firefighters must never become complacent. It might be the third or the fourth accident in a day that you must deal with, but it is still a life-and-death situation every time. It might be just another day at the office for you, but for someone else, it can change their life. Every emergency is unique and requires careful assessment and action.
Similarly, there is no 9-5 for a firefighter’s job. There is no typical workday at the office where you get weekends off to spend time with the family. It is a job where you must appear on a need basis. The call-ins could be well before the day starts and long after the night has ended. When you enter this profession, you are signing up for it.
-Arrogance
Arrogance can be dangerous in the firefighting profession, and that is because you must also deal with the public, and you might have to cover stories and deal with victims. During this, you need to show empathy and stay humble.
-Lack of Self-Care
Firefighters must take care of their physical and mental health. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, impacting performance and safety. Suppose you decided to have drinks with friends the night before. The next day if you get an emergency, your performance would be subpar, and you might end up hurting yourself or someone else. Don’t undermine how important it is to be at your peak performance.
Conclusion
Firefighting is a physically demanding job with little to no room for error. In the face of accidents, you need to be brave and act. If you believe it may not be for you, you shouldn’t apply because people can get hurt. But if you decide it is for you, and you have the traits that it requires, then this can also be quite a fulfilling profession.
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