I’ve been in the fire service for a while now working as a firefighter EMT, side by side with brothers and sisters who wear many hats. Some of us are paramedics. Some are seasoned veterans. Some are just starting out, eyes full of passion and nerves. But no matter what patch is on your shoulder, if you’re a first responder, you get it.
This job is heavy.
We show up when people are having their worst day. We push through long hours, missed meals, and sleepless nights. We carry things home with us that we don’t talk about. We’re trained to run toward danger, to think fast under pressure, to stay calm even when it feels like the world is falling apart around us. But we don’t always talk about the cost of all that.
And here’s the truth… we’re not robots. We’re human.
We got families. We have kids who look up to us. We’ve got spouses, parents, friends people who pray we come home safe every shift. And yet, sometimes, we forget to take care of ourselves. We skip doctor’s visits. We put off checkups. We laugh off stress until it builds up like a ticking time bomb.
To every firefighter, EMT, paramedic, cop, dispatcher, and medic out there….. don’t let this job kill you.
I know that might sound blunt, but it’s real. We’re so focused on helping others that we forget our own bodies are breaking down. Heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep issues, PTSD etc, this stuff isnt just for “old folks.” They’re hitting us younger and younger, and we’ve got to stop pretending we’re invincible.
So this is me, speaking from the heart. Take care of yourself.
Get your physicals. Talk to someone when the mental weight gets too heavy. Eat better. Move your body. Laugh when you can. Rest when you need to. Take the damn vacation!! You deserve to retire with your health and your peace of mind intact. We’re not just working a job we’re trying to make it to the finish line alive and WELL
And to the citizens reading this, please remember, we’re human too.
We are not just helmets, badges, or uniforms. We are moms and dads. We miss birthdays, holidays, and family dinners to come help you in your time of need. We care deeply but sometimes too deeply and it stays with us. We’ll always answer the call. All we ask is a little understanding in return.
If you see us at the store grabbing a quick meal between calls, give us a smile. If we look tired, it’s probably because we are. And if you ever get the chance, just say thanks. It goes further than you know.
To my fellow first responders… stay safe, stay strong, and please take care of yourself. Let’s all do what we can to go home at the end of every shift.
Because the goal isn’t just to serve. The goal is to survive. Lets go make a difference…
