Pros
Helping people, challenging hard work.
Cons
Shifts have been changed to very long day shifts to detriment of my social/family life 2days 2nights finishing at 9.30am therefore is 4 on 3 off if you realise you have worked from 8.pm the previous shift midnight until 9.30 the next morning. In my opinion low morale esp among the lower ranks who work on the ground. Pensions have been changed & you will be sacrificing a large percentage of salary to stay in, are you sure you can complete 40 years & stay fit enough in your firefighter role to get a full pension at 60 years of age? Could go on but just feel too sad to put down a job i am still trying to love after many years in service (as uniformed staff.) Pay has dropped in real terms for a decade now, & looks like wages will continue to fall against inflation. Very sorry but imho i would not currently recommend this job, i have risked my life, & suffered stress, missed birthdays, christmas, & many other social moments working shifts for the brigade but am now only staying due to stubbornness, a need to serve & the fact i can retire soon.