Firefighter Requirements

Unlike being a volunteer firefighter in a local town, being a New York firefighter is a lot harder and has a lot more strict requirements. “One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. Here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice”(Readhead). There are many different requirements, those of which include physical, academic, and everyday requirements, as well as proof of emotional stability.
To be a New York Firefighter there are many physical requirements that need to be achieved in order to succeed. Age is a major requirement, “[...]you must be between the age of 18 and 29, although some fire departments extend the maximum …show more content…
Firefighters could go into a burning building knowing there is a family of 4 living in the house, and end up only saving three of them. Spoken by Bob Hoff “To be there and see it was … just devastation,’” (Smith). Many firefighters emotional stability is not very strong, compared to many other any day jobs. Fire Departments are like having a side family that means just as much as the firefighters’ normal family. As reported by Katlyn Smith, the New York Fire department had a few rules that had to be followed, if a fellow firefighter went down and was killed or injured, he or she could only be carried out by one of their own, all the firefighters go in a building together and they all come out together no matter the circumstances, it is a point of pride in the fire fighting service (Smith). For firefighters losing a fellow firefighter would be just like losing their own family member, or a close friend so applicants would have to be able to handle losing someone who will eventually be like family to them. “Numerous civilians in all stairwells, numerous burn victims are coming down” (Readhead). Future firefighters would have to be able to deal with blood, gore and burn victims, because typically citizens come out in some way injured. Written is the Chicago Daily Herald, firefighters said that no matter what everyone will have grief in some way shape or form, but life goes on. After suffering from the loss individuals just have to find a way to make something positive out of the situation, it's life find something to help you move on and make things better (Smith). Losing someone is not the easiest thing to go through, but no matter what there will always be people who can help any individual through it. “‘You don't forget about it,’ he said. ‘Every day, you think about it’” (Smith). Being emotionally stable may not be a legitimate requirement to