The fire service is a tough industry, fueling countless emotions in the fire and rescue personnel who step up to protect their communities. FireRescue1 Voices is a place where firefighters across the country can speak up, tell their stories about difficult calls and voice their opinions about everything from what it takes to be a volunteer to the value of trade skills. If you want to share your story with the FireRescue1 community, please review our submission guidelines and email editor@firerescue1.com.
True DEI efforts must be intentional and prioritized, and create opportunities for all people to join the fire service family
New Mexico’s firefighters lost qualified immunity: Is your state next?
A once obese firefighter, I now have the confidence needed to not only meet my job expectations but excel at them
A typical shift during the pandemic highlights the uncertainty faced by first responders
The more of you who break social distancing orders, the more first responders who will become sick and unable to serve
Remembering Fire Captain Rodney C. Dodson – there will never be another one like him
Join me in the abyss where I remember trying to save an 11-year-old boy – with his killer standing near
Using meditation to manage the memories of difficult calls and find happiness at home
Carrying the legacy of the fallen, sustaining the lessons learned, and sharing their legacy with others
One incident years ago reemerges in an unexpected moment
Every fire officer has an incident that teaches the powerful lesson of humility
After a series of difficult calls, one South Carolina volunteer created a video that seeks to answer the question – and inspire others to volunteer
A volunteer firefighter from North Carolina shares the ups and downs of a day in the life of a volunteer
The widow of Fire Lt. Thomas Spencer, who was killed in the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Fire of 1999, says changes must be made to prevent more firefighter deaths
Valuing firefighters with a “worker” mentality – not simply degrees and test scores – is key to the long-term success of the fire service
The role, though thankless, is endlessly important.
You are trained to be a fixer of all problems, and that’s pretty cool
From cooking meals for the families, to planning benefits, I’m proud to be working alongside all of them
One of the best parts about our job is the people we work with and the bonds we form with them
These individuals often exhibit an egotistical need to be a “hero” or find themselves bored and lacking social maturity
We are here to save lives and protect property and get out alive
I can’t imagine what it is like to be a police officer in this world we are all living in right now
It’s hard to explain the love a firefighter has for his or her tools, rig, and station.
Unless our patient is carrying a holster or a sign that says, “I have a gun,” I’m not likely to notice it
I am a volunteer firefighter; I am also gay
The medical director’s resignation is the latest failure for a department entrusted with the care of the nation’s capital citizens and visitors
