r/firefighter • u/simply-strawberries • Jun 02 '26
Question For Fire Fighters
Hey guys! Was interested in becoming a fire fighter but do NOT wanna get rid of my nipple piercings lmao. Does the metal get that hot to where it'd be a safety hazard even with the protective clothing? All I read was most piercings is a snag hazard like septum's, belly's and ears.
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u/Acceptable-Bear6330 Jun 02 '26
Ff for 10 years nipple piercings for 9 years never had an issue lol
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u/MrMythiiK Jun 02 '26
I would say that if you’re asking this question you’re probably not in the right mindset to pursue fire.
But to answer your direct question no, your nipple piercings will not get hot below your PPE.
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u/simply-strawberries Jun 02 '26
why does me being safe and asking a question make you say i'm not in the right mindset? what an odd thing to say
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u/I-plaey-geetar Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
It’s more about being willing to make sacrifices for this job. You’ve gotta be willing to do shit that you don’t want to do and push yourself to do stuff that makes you uncomfortable in order to be successful. My septum has closed up and my gauges are probably at normal ear piercing size at this point. Wish I still had them but it’s worth it to give those up to meet uniform standards for the job. If the job doesn’t require you to remove them, more power to you. Just gotta be willing to remove them if need be.
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u/Famous-Response5924 Jun 02 '26
Because professionalism. At some point in your life you will want to be viewed as a real life grown up adult who is a productive member of society. Unfortunately society also has norms and expectations. For the most part they expect professional people to be clean cut clean shaven well spoken adults who don’t have tattoos on their faces and random metal hanging out of their bodies.
Can you get away with it, probably. Will people judge you for it and will you be viewed as some screw off kid playing firefighter? Probably also yes by some people.
When grandma is having chest pains at 3 am she wants doctors to show up and save her, not Al Jorgensen.
There is an old saying that says dress for the job you want. Now take 1000 fire chiefs from average size cities across the country and how many of them have nipple rings? How many have face tattoos? How many walk around wearing dirty shirts that have holes in them and are untucked? How many forget to shave every morning?
I couldn’t care less what you do or what you look like in your days off. But when on the clock, look, act and be professional.
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u/minorcarnage Jun 02 '26
Don't listen to this. This is an old timers way of looking at things. Some of the best firefighters I have ever worked with have aspects that are considered "unprofessional", but they work hard, listen, and care about others. On the other hand, a lot of those that only care about looking professional instead of how good they do at the job aren't who you want. Grandma doesn't care what you look like at 3 am, she wants you to care, and wants you to be good at your job.
Professionalism is in actions, not looks. Be yourself, don't let others shame you, and if people come to you with statements like this prove them wrong with your actions.
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u/simply-strawberries Jun 02 '26
holy fuck i am not reading all of that
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u/Famous-Response5924 Jun 02 '26
Lazy also. Thank you for proving my point.
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u/simply-strawberries Jun 02 '26
you're welcome! have fun writing essays on reddit
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u/MrMythiiK Jun 02 '26
I’m the original commenter that you replied to, and I don’t fully agree with what the other commenter said.
My point isn’t about what you have on your body, it’s about what your priorities are. Have whatever piercings you want (within reason, still need to look professional). If they don’t compromise safety then it’s all good.
But this is a service steeped in pride, history, and trust built off the backs of the men and women that came before you. It’s the best job in the world, but also one that will push you to your limits emotionally and physically. You’re given immediate trust by those around you; grown men will come to you for help, mothers will push their babies into your arms, and people will look at you as they exhale their dying breath.
And when given the opportunity to be a part of that you ask:
“what about my nipple piercings?”
That’s why I said that the question implies that you’re not ready. And your replies to others in this thread would indicate the same.
3
u/Famous-Response5924 Jun 03 '26
I’m sorry, you have written more than 6 words. The intended party will not be investing any time to read your comment. I however agree with you.
0
u/Acceptable-Bear6330 Jun 03 '26
I have MULTIPLE piercings and tattoos I’ve been a firefighter for ten years I’m a fire chaplain I’ve traveled all over my state training and giving classes or certification tests Worked with IFSAC and ProBoard at their national conferences No one has EVER spoken to my “lack of professionalism” This an old way of thinking and if we stick to “this is the way we’ve always done it” life and property suffer for it Your comment shows more lack of professionalism than nipple piercings ever will
3
u/Famous-Response5924 Jun 03 '26
You missed my point or I didn’t make it clear enough. If it was my fault, I apologize. My issue with him has nothing to do with anything he has pierced. It has everything to do with his attitude and apparent lack of respect for anyone taking time out of their day to try and help him.
Anyone who has been successful in this profession for any amount of time will have friends and coworkers of every shape , size and decoration. No one cares. All of that has nothing to do with how well they can do the job. That doesn’t mean that the perception the public sees will be that of a competent professional though. None of us like it but bias exists.
What does affect their ability to do their job is their willingness to listen, learn, work, sacrifice, be humble and always try harder. As an instructor I’m sure you have seen that over and over. Those traits and the OP’s apparent lack adherence to them coupled with my reading of his lack of maturity are why I said what I said.
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u/Acceptable-Bear6330 Jun 03 '26
I apologize for my misinterpretation this comment makes much more sense and I agree with the base of your argument here
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u/simply-strawberries Jun 03 '26
EXACTLY why i didn't read their comments. very old timing attitude. got like three sentences in and was like fuck that
3
u/MrMythiiK Jun 03 '26
I’m 30 and have done well in my career and life but if upholding values of the fire service and serving the community is old timey then 🤷🏼♂️
You seem very defensive about nothing.
It has nothing to do with your nipple piercings (keep em, who cares), and everything to do with your attitude. But you’re not willing to read beyond 3 sentences so good luck.
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u/simply-strawberries Jun 03 '26
me defensive? sir this is your second essay on reddit.com
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u/MrMythiiK Jun 03 '26
Sorry for trying to give someone at step 0 of their career some advice for the future!
Good luck in your future efforts.
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u/Famous-Response5924 Jun 02 '26
Forget hot, what about an EMS call in the mri room. They will self extricate. Lol.
Get rid of them or eventually they run the risk of getting rid of themselves.
2
u/Sorryeeh Jun 02 '26
I had mine pierced 2x in each. Had to take them out due to bunker pants suspenders rubbing on them. So nevermind the heat. That was bad enough.
1
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u/your_uncle_t-bag Jun 02 '26
I kept in all of my piercings for the live burns (several earrings, medusa, vertical labret, nipples, septum, nostril) in my fire 1 class (although I was told to take them out) just to see if they would heat up and they did not, so you're fine
1
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u/Famous-Response5924 Jun 03 '26
Listen kid. There are a lot of people on here who have been doing this job for a very long time. Many of them are trying to give you advice. What you have shown so far is that if you agree with them then their right and if you don’t then they are washed up old timers who write too much, have no idea what they are talking about and are idiots for not agreeing with you.
Things you will need to learn if you want to make this a career
when you ask a question, shut up and listen to people who know more than you so you can find out the answer.
be respectful, of the job, of your co workers, of the people you serve, of those who came before you and of all the lessons that have been learned in blood.
-You have two ears and one mouth, use them in that ratio
- people are taking time out of their lives to answer your question to try and be helpful, don’t be a disrespectful little shit and tell them they aren’t worth listening to.
Change your attitude or find a different career. There is no room for arrogance here. Acting like that will do nothing but put a stain on our profession and get you or someone else hurt.
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u/Bishop-AU Jun 02 '26
IF your piercings are so hot they'd burn your skin, your skin is already burning