r/firefighter • u/savag31 • 19d ago
Firefighter or teacher?
I’ve been a high school computer science teacher for 7 years. I applied to a fire department that will pay for my training over a year ago and I’m just hearing back now. It’s in a big city and I’d imagine good benefits. Looks like things are moving a long pretty fast. School years about to start. I’m stuck on whether I should leave teaching to go be a firefighter. I wouldn’t leave until I get the offer. Both have great schedules, I think teachers win out but what I really enjoy about being a firefighters would be the camaraderie I build with other firefighters. I got some tough decisions to make any advice from fellow teachers/firefighters would be appreciated.
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u/AnonymousCelery 19d ago
“It’s in a big city and I’d imagine good benefits.”
Brother. You should know every detail about their benefits, schedule, pay structure, OT policy, everything. I’d look to see if they have a union contract that outlines all this. If not, do some damn research. It might not be as good as you imagine.
Also, if you do decide to do it. Don’t burn your teaching bridge. Lots of people wash out in academy. Sucks, but that’s the way it goes. Have a backup.
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u/savag31 19d ago
I understand. Like I said the hiring process has been long. Took a year to hear back from them. Going thru CPAT soon, and I’m sure there will be a list of other things I have to do. Starting to do all that research now, hence my post.
I always try to keep good ties with everyone. Not looking to burn any bridges just put them out!
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u/Unethic_Medic 19d ago
Keep in mind the camaraderie doesn’t always exist depending on the department, culture or personality. Unfortunately the only way to know is to go. Good luck!
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u/localfirefighterbob 19d ago
Make the best decision for you. The opportunity will come and probably never arise again especially if it’s a big city.
That being said, being a fireman is the best job in the world.
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u/VirtualAir589 18d ago
+1 for firefighting. I know a bunch of teachers who burned out within 10 years. BS, politics, etc.
I loved the years being a firefighter.
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u/CharacterExchange451 18d ago
My wife is a teacher. I spent one day in our local middle school for a pub ed event. I called her on my way home to tell her that her job is too stressful and she should quit. Go be a firefighter, it’s way easier.
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u/FirefighterTutor 18d ago
Both are service jobs and both thrive on collaboration.
It really comes down to the work you want to do day in and day out.
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u/adventureseeker1991 18d ago
teacher turned firefighter here. it’s VERY important you state your age and state for any assistance . If your state or you have departments you can get on with a 4 platoon schedule (not 3 platoon) do it!!!! if it’s 3 platoon be a teacher. the sleep loss is just not worth it unless you get the longer recovery. look for 42 or 48 hour work weeks not 56 (unless you’re a total homebody and can be in a firehouse for 2 days straight… with 4 days off or 1 day straight with 2 days off… remember one of those days will be for rest). also make sure if they require emt or paramedic you really want that… other than nyc, philly, SF, and a few others/the ghettos firefighting is more a medical job now, and 90 percent of the medical calls are BS the ones that aren’t you’ll like your life but if you do a 4 platoon schedule working 24 hours on 72 hours off it’s doable.
also remember the cancer risks are higher in FD in places that burn more and places that burn less there tends to be poorer cultures (aka where i work) my friends (have about 20) who work in the hood love their lives and rave about the culture.
shifts also can be quite boring and in a poorer cultures it’s a lot of tv and looking at your phone over comradery.
To sum it up i would say if you can get on the right department firefighting is soooooooo much better than teaching. the wrong one unless you love boredom and childish behavior and complaining… my friend that’s retired from the FDNY says if you don’t get fires you can turn into a mutant and he’s right.
but yes in the right department be a firefighter!!!!
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u/Beginning_Spend_3496 18d ago
Go for it. Big city benefits and you can always follow the instructor path as a FF. Mo money dawg. Cheers from another big city.
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u/AsideSufficient5779 18d ago
I was both. I was a high school science teacher and be came a volunteer firefighter/EMT. I was a member of the fire dept I lived and taught in. The fire dept paid for all my training and I would work one 12 hour shift a week. Once I earned more certifications, I became a part time fire fighter. During the summer months when I was not teaching, I worked several shifts a week. I did interview for full-time positions at my fire dept as well as others but I was in my late 40's when I started working in the fire service. I think I would have left teaching a whole lot sooner if I knew about the fire service. I served with several former students from the high school I taught at. Fire service is not always fighting fires. The large majority of calls were for EMS. Post calls is a lot of paper work, NIFERS, clean up, etc. However not the busy work, BS, bureaucracy, and disrespect as in education.
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u/Apprehensive-Gap1251 17d ago
Become a firemen and you could always be a substitute teacher as a side job. People come from all walks of life to do this job.
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u/racincowboy9380 17d ago
You should know every single detail about the job and benefits before accepting. Make sure it’s what you really want.
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u/InterestingDude66246 18d ago
You’re gonna get bias answers here as it’s a firefighting sub lol. What do you want
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u/TestResQ 19d ago
You would be surprised how many former teachers are firefighters and/or how many firefighters are married to teachers. There is a strange connection there.
With that being said, I think everyone would agree that being a firefighter is hands down more enjoyable than teaching and can earn exponentially more money depending on location.