r/Firefighting • u/Solanima • Nov 01 '22
Ask A Firefighter Day-to-day life of a Firefighter
As part of National Novel Writing Month, I am writing about a character who is a firefighter (among other things). Of course, I have never been a firefighter, and don't know what it's really like. I plan on doing some research myself, but I would like to hear directly from those of you who have been on the job: what's it being a firefighter?
I'm not just asking what it's like fighting fires (though that would be good to hear too). I want to know what it's like in your day-to-day life, how you spend your downtime, how close you are with your fellow firefighters, that sort of thing. Give me details that will help my novel feel authentic, in spite of the fact that I've never been in a major fire.
Also, if there is any media you would recommend for an accurate portrayal of your jobs (movies, documentaries, TV shows, books, even video games), let me know!
1
u/Pickle_balls Nov 05 '22
48hrs 0n 96hrs off schedule. "big" city career firefighters show up on time, check the apparatus, make sure everything works, talk shit about C shift, clean the licked windows and the crayon crumbs, bust balls around the station, train the rookie, and store runs for the whole tour meals. depends on the day it's going to be a truck day, station day, or training. It's really nothing crazy to write about, there is a lot of camaraderie and we are very close friends. when it's go time its go time and there is no place for games or anything less than professional behavior.