r/Firefighting • u/c00kieduster • 4d ago

General Discussion Cannot sleep at the station anymore

15 years in, company officer at a suburb dept of 4 stations, 100ish people, 48/96. We average 4-5 in a 24 hr period, sometimes 1-2, sometimes 12-16.

It’s not all that uncommon for us to get to sleep through the night. However, in the last year or 2, I simply cannot sleep through the night. Even without calls, I’m getting up 2-3 times. Usually it’s a toss and turn, occasionally I’ll get up to go to bathroom but that’s not the reason.

When I’m at home, my head hits the pillow and unless something wakes me up, I sleep like a baby.

Anyone experience this? Got any tips?

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u/dgreg171 4d ago

Honest question.. if you are taking melatonin to sleep at the station, do you ever have an issue waking up for calls? Are you groggy? Especially if you get a call in the first hour or so after falling asleep?

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u/llama-de-fuego 4d ago

I don't use it myself, but melatonin is helpful in falling asleep, but your body metabolizes it fast and it doesn't help keep you asleep.