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For many, the choice of their profession is not governed by mere pay or job benefits. Some like our brave firefighters choose to become one as a form of self-sacrifice.
These professionals are driven by a desire to serve and protect their communities. Putting one’s life on the line to save another’s once is an awe-inspiring feat.
Words fail to express the courage of those who routinely put their lives on the line for others’ sake. Such is the daily life of a firefighter.
The main question is how these brave men and women manage to keep themselves focused and motivated. In this article, we will discuss the risks involved with firefighting along with how our heroes stay brave in the face of great danger.
Common But Deadly Risks That Firefighters Face Daily
There are many dangerous professions in the world, and firefighting is one of them. The National Fire Protection Association shares that over 63,000 firefighters sustained injuries while on duty in 2023.
Of these, 30% occurred on the fire ground itself. When we think about the deadly risks of this profession, the raging fire and its heat come to mind first. However, other dangers also threaten firefighter lives.
Firefighting Foam
You may wonder how the very foam responsible for saving lives can threaten any. In truth, the firefighting foam we are referring to (Class B) can be toxic to human health.
Also known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), Class B firefighting foam is used to tackle liquid-fuel fires. They have been in application for decades, manufactured using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.
These are complex chemicals sharing a carbon and fluorine bond. PFAS can be carcinogenic, which means they can lead to cancer. The same was confirmed when one firefighter after another began being diagnosed with the said condition.
They had to file the AFFF foam lawsuit due to cancers of the kidneys, bladder, and testicles. Many succumbed to their injuries while fighting the legal battle. It was alleged that PFAS manufacturers were aware of the repercussions but did nothing to warn.
According to TruLaw, over 10,000 lawsuits have been filed for which bellwether trials are scheduled in 2025. The foam’s toxicity may take years before showing up in the form of cancer. This is a deadly risk associated with the profession, one with long-term consequences.
Toxic Smoke
It is not always the extreme heat that harms a firefighter or leads to their death. The smoke that such scenes emit is highly toxic and can damage the lungs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoke contains contaminants like carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Depending on the exposure and frequency, the firefighter may develop carbon monoxide poisoning. The Mayo Clinic lists its symptoms as blurred vision, shortness of breath, loss of muscle control, and headaches, among others.
Asbestos Exposure
Fires can break out just about anywhere. When an incident occurs in an older building constructed during the age of asbestos use, there is also the risk of inhalation.
Though a natural mineral, exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to health conditions like mesothelioma and asbestosis. As the fire progresses, the fibers easily become airborne and can be inhaled by firefighters.
Smoke and debris only tend to carry the fibers to larger distances. Asbestos exposure is also a lesser-known long-term health risk associated with firefighting.
How Our Unsung Heroes Keep Their Flame of Courage Burning Bright
Now, let’s look at how our brave firefighters show such daring courage in the face of danger, even death.
An Unwavering Faith in the Divine
We understand that this may vary among individuals but many firefighters draw strength from their spirituality. They express their reliance on a ‘higher power,’ given the highly stressful nature of the job.
Some leave for their work missions every day after a short prayer, drawing their strength and support from their faith. To them, their vocation is a calling from above.
The desire for serving their community comes from their spiritual belief in a higher calling. Their oath or firefighter pledge further emphasizes this faith, without which firefighting would be reduced to a mere occupation.
An unshakeable faith often acts as an anchor during times of distress, danger, and trauma. They may struggle at times, especially due to being someone who gets face to face with death and suffering on a daily basis. However, hope rises in the heart in the teeth of it all with recovery operations at Ground Zero.
A Strong Sense of Duty and Community
It is rightfully believed that a man with a sense of civic duty and purpose will be willing to overcome any obstacle. Such individuals won’t stop, even in the face of extreme danger.
Let’s test this a bit. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that firefighters have one of the highest injury and illness rates compared to other occupations. Even if a firefighting aspirant is unaware of the exact numbers, they know exactly what they’re getting themselves into.
With so much to lose, one will only proceed when they find a sense of purpose and duty. As mentioned above, many believe their job to be a higher calling to serve.
This gives them a passionate desire to help their community and keep it safe. When you want to protect what you feel responsible for, facing any danger head-on doesn’t seem that dangerous after all.
Rigorous Training
The secret behind courage is not just an oath to serve till death or a mere resolve. Firefighters prepare themselves to face any possible situation or danger that a rescue operation may present before them.
These professionals receive extensive training, both physical and technical, to navigate complex scenarios. It may all start with a fire training academy where they receive classroom instruction on the science behind fires, firefighting equipment and techniques, etc.
Alongside, practical application of that knowledge must also happen using hoses, ladders, and other equipment. Gradually, they move to fire simulations and mock drills in controlled settings to see how well they can put their learning into practice.
Rigorous training sessions provide these professionals with not only basic firefighting skills but also hazmat awareness, communication protocols, and strategic decision-making. Such preparedness builds confidence and courage.
Teamwork and Camaraderie
No job in this world can be carried out single-handedly, at least not after a certain point. As a part of a social community, we all must work alongside each other to make positive changes.
Firefighters also rely on their teammates for support and upliftment. This is another aspect of faith, in one another as teammates to stand together in times of need.
Since training sessions, these professionals learn the art of teamwork and camaraderie. Even during a high-pressure rescue mission, they tend to look out for each other.
Key ways firefighters support each other include –
- Open lines of communication
- Regular safety checks and timely intervention if a teammate is in danger
- Emotional support after a traumatic incident
- Team-building activities that help build trust and camaraderie
There is indeed strength in numbers. Having the assurance that team members have your back can help build courage.
Proper Protection and Leadership
Another major aspect of courage in the world of firefighting has to do with faith in protective equipment and the leadership of the chief. Ongoing training sessions are exclusively conducted to help firefighters with their protective gear.
With the right gear, safety glasses, shoes, and more, chances of being seriously injured are reduced. Moreover, modern technologies like drones and smart fire detection systems are making this profession safer.
When such help combines with good leadership, a sense of mental preparedness occurs. Reliable fire chiefs can make quick strategic decisions that are in everyone’s best interest.
They help team members whenever needed and are there to encourage, solve doubts, and provide support. Like they say, courage is contagious and when the chief leads their team well, their confidence inspires the members.
Psychological Preparation
Without mental resilience, any brave decision becomes a mere impulsive act. Firefighters go a step beyond motivation; they strive to remain disciplined.
Psychological preparation assures them that they can handle any situation calmly and effectively. Though rigorous training is a part of building psychological preparation, it’s not the end-all.
Firefighters also participate in stress management techniques like mindfulness and meditation. They have a positive internal dialogue to keep themselves resilient and focused during stressful times.
If required, professional support also helps in overcoming a trauma or any other mental health condition. Finally, physical fitness also impacts mental health as these professionals can handle demanding missions.
In his proclamation on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend 2024, President Joe Biden paid homage to the extraordinary courage of firefighters. Many of these heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve their communities.
Their legacy lives on in the form of their awe-inspiring bravery in the face of extreme danger. Firefighters answer every call, even those for which they may not have received exclusive training. If that’s not the embodiment of courage, what is?
