I’ve been a firefighter for 11 years now. And growing up, I didn’t dream about being a firefighter exactly but I did want to serve. I looked up to people in uniform. Whether it was a cop, an EMT, or a firefighter, they seemed like heroes. They had superpowers in me and my friends young eyes. They were the ones who showed up when things went wrong. They brought order, calm, and help.
That hasn’t changed.
If anything, today’s first responders are held to a higher standard than ever before. Shows like 9-1-1, Chicago Fire, and Fire Country make us look like we can do everything. And because of that image, when we step into public, folks expect us to be professional, sharp, and ready to save the day. And honestly… that’s the way it should be.
But here’s where the frustration kicks in…I’ve seen that standard slipping.
It’s Not Just “Another Job”
Some folks treat this like it’s a regular 9 to 5. They stroll into a store on duty with their shirt half tucked, no belt, messy appearance, messy hair, acting like it doesn’t matter. But it does. Because guess what? Someone’s watching.
A kid might be standing in line behind you, looking at you like you’re Superman. A senior citizen might smile because you made them feel safe just by being in uniform. And the public, whether they say it out loud or not, expects us to represent something better than average. You can lose that respect fast if you don’t care how you show up.
When you wear this uniform, you’re not invisible. You’re on stage at all times. People believe in you. So why would you want to disappoint them?
A Word to the Young Firefighters
Look, I get it. At the station, dress down, get comfortable, relax. It’s your second home. But the minute that tone drops or you step outside in the truck? Flip that switch. Tighten up your uniform. Pull yourself together. Because someone out there is depending on you.
People see the uniform before they see the person. But once they meet the person, they decide if the uniform still means something. Don’t ruin that. Be disciplined…
Final Thought
This job is about trust. It’s about pride. It’s about community. I’m not perfect, and none of us are. But every time we step outside in our gear or uniform, we owe it to the ones who believe in us not just to show up, but to show up right. How would you want someone to show up to your home in the event of emergency? Yes, that’s right…with confidence and discipline…in uniform.
So to my brothers and sisters in the fire service (or to any first responder honestly) professionalism isn’t extra it’s part of the job. Don’t forget that.
