Dalmatians and the fire service have always been associated with one another, and this beloved spotted dog has become a popular mascot at fire stations across the country. In fact, the public has now come to expect each fire station to have its own dog. While some stations will take on other breeds, the Dalmatian … Read more
There are 7 knots ever firefighter must master early in their career. If you haven’t yet attended a fire academy, I assure you will be required to learn them. This is one of many skills that new firefighters need to learn in the early days of their training to become qualified. Those that are new to … Read more
Technical rescue is a big part of the fire service, and there are surprising differences between low angle and high angle rescue rope rescue. If you are in the process of applying to join your local fire department, you may have noticed that they have a specialist division in their operations for rope rescue. Furthermore, … Read more
If you’ve ever seen a firefighters badge you may have noticed what looks like bugles, but what is the history and meaning behind fire department bugles? Every fire crew member has a defined place within the service as part of a strong hierarchy. Each rank has its own badge with different symbols. If you are … Read more
Many aspiring firefighters ask whether or not they can be a firefighter with diabetes, as there are millions of Americans living with diabetes in some form Many do so with such ease and control that you wouldn’t know it until they bring out their blood sugar testing kit. There should be no reason why anyone … Read more
Millions of Americans deal with depression in some form or another, but can you be a firefighter with depression? It’s a good question, and more common than you may realize. Some suffer from seasonal depression or have mild bouts that are well under control. Others have deeper issues with chronic depression, bipolar or PTSD. So, … Read more
I received an email the other day from a candidate asking if he can be a firefighter and be deaf or hard of hearing. It was the first time I had ever received a question like that, so I thought it’d be a good topic to write about. So, can I be a firefighter and … Read more
Mental health is so important in the fire service. Can you be a firefighter with anxiety or ADHD is a questions I’ve heard several times. Many of us will experience anxiety at some point when faced with stressful situations. However, for many, it is a constant struggle that requires medical support. It is possible to … Read more
Last week I received an email from an aspiring firefighter asking me, “can I be a firefighter with glasses?“ When you take your first physical with the fire service, you will soon become aware of the very high standards that the fire service has set for their personnel. This is clear in everything from strength … Read more
Asthma is a growing problem in the modern world, but can you be a firefighter with asthma? Declines in air quality and exposure to air pollution have caused cases to rise in younger generations. This means that there are more people that want to apply to be a firefighter that are asthmatic or that have … Read more
