r/Firefighting • u/Launch_Rockface • Jul 10 '25

General Discussion Unpopular Opinions In the Fire Service

I am curious what other peoples unpopular opinions of the fire service are? I know there are alot of things we are doing or trying to do to improve the fire service as far as training and wellness, but I also know alot of it is just not that great in my opinion.

78 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

340 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

77

u/BrianKindly 200 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress Jul 11 '25

I’m glad to hear I’m not the only person screaming this from the fucking roof tops.

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“My tooth hurts and I need to go to the hospital”

We need to start asking them if their legs are also broken, they don’t have a vehicle, or anyone to call. Fuck, download uber…

47

u/rogersrangers55 Jul 11 '25

We shout the system is broken (healthcare) and shout we are here to help. Yet all we are doing is greatly contributing to the broken system itself.

18

u/BrianKindly 200 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress Jul 11 '25

10000% - I often wonder if Medicare/Medicaid wouldn't need all these cuts if we wouldn't be dragging so much bullshit to the ER. Unnecessary ambulance bill followed by and unnecessary hospital bill, all for most things that could be handled by an primary doctor or even urgent care.

7

u/rogersrangers55 Jul 11 '25

Yes! We are using resources for things that could be handled by a student with a stethoscope and a BP cuff.

8

u/BrianKindly 200 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress Jul 11 '25

Yep, and every single one is wearing our people down, especially in the middle of the night, decreasing their mental readiness for an actual medical emergency of serious fire.