r/Firefighting • u/iheartMGs FF/EMT/Hazmat Tech • Apr 21 '25

Ask A Firefighter Are you at your forever department?

EDIT: I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone! Pretty cool to hear all the different responses! Stay safe brothers/sisters and wish everyone the best of luck throughout your careers!

Title says it all. Curious how many members have found their forever depts and why you made it your home for the rest of your career. The culture at my department is simply amazing. The chiefs know every member by first name and your put into a leadership role pretty early on if you’ve earned the trust of the officers. They will send you to virtually any training, deploy you across the nation, etc. Let’s hear what you have.

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u/twozerothreeeight FDNY Apr 22 '25

I would be open to trying other places if retirement stuff worked differently, but that’s just not the case. Maybe I could move around in NYS, and it would work out okay since I’d be staying within the state’s pension system, but that’s useless. If real freedom of movement mid career was possible I’d be looking out west.

So yes, yes I am.

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u/iheartMGs FF/EMT/Hazmat Tech Apr 22 '25

What’s it like working for FDNY? I’ve heard some places only do 12 hour shifts due to the call volume? Can you confirm or deny this?

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u/twozerothreeeight FDNY Apr 23 '25

It’s great in a lot of ways. My talk of moving has nothing to do with the job itself, and more to do with how being in such an expensive place can be a grind. We do not do 12 hour tours. That I’m aware of even in the busiest places guys still mutual into 24s in order to make less appearances at work.

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u/iheartMGs FF/EMT/Hazmat Tech Apr 23 '25

I appreciate the insight brother. Thanks for clarifying!