Volunteer firefighting often comes with a hilariously exaggerated perception versus the reality of the job. Many folks envision volunteers as heroic figures charging into burning buildings, saving kittens from trees (yes, I am on the cat kick again… my cat is lying on the desk starting at me as I write), and getting medals for bravery—all while sporting perfectly styled hair and gleaming uniforms. In reality, it’s more like a group of well-intentioned individuals frantically trying to remember where they left their helmets while racing to the station in flip-flops, possibly while still munching on a cold slice of pizza they swiped out of their fridge as they left in a hurry.
Unlike the paid firefighters, volunteers don’t have assigned shifts and basically never turn off their on-call status. It’s like being on the world’s most unpredictable reality show—surprise! You’re up at 3 a.m. because someone decided to deep-fry a turkey without checking the instructions and burnt the roof off their house. Don’t worry, we volleys will save the foundation!
And let’s not forget, these brave souls often do it all for free. Sorry, paid smoke-eaters, but we’re out here doing your job without a paycheck! But hey, we still love you and admire your impressive talent for getting paid to nap. If only I’d known about that career path before I became a cop! Imagine the possibilities—I would have been catching z's instead of chasing down suspects and keeping perps from breaking into your cars at night while you slept on duty (true story). Jealous? You can bet your mustache I was… because I wasn’t allowed to grow one!
People think that volunteer firefighters have endless free time to practice their heroic skills. But the truth is, many of them are juggling full-time jobs, family commitments, and the side hustle of trying to make a small business work. It can be exhausting at times, but it’s worth the effort—hence why I’m here, just past midnight, writing this blog! You’d be surprised at how much time is spent thinking about the next call or wondering if Grandma is going to call at 3 a.m. requesting transport to the ER for her ongoing bunion problem. Again, it is exhausting at times, but it is something we all do because of a calling. A calling that is sometimes hard to articulate to those outside of the first responder world. I guess we are all just passionate about helping the people who need it the most – even Grandma (maybe)!
There’s also a perception that firefighting is all about excitement and adrenaline. Sure, there are thrilling moments, but a lot of the job involves filling out mountains of paperwork (upper command folks know exactly what I’m talking about), cleaning or repairing equipment, and, let’s be honest, trying to make sense of the latest NFPA regulations that are making the job almost impossible! You might think the biggest challenge is battling flames, but it often turns out to be keeping the coffee pot full and ensuring no one has accidentally brewed decaf.
And while we might imagine heroic rescues happening every weekend, the reality often includes dealing with the occasional burnt toast or responding to a “fire” that turns out to be nothing more than a poorly managed backyard barbecue. Picture the scene: a couple of neighbors panicking as smoke billows from the grill, only for the volunteers to show up and realize they just need to gently remind everyone that charcoal takes a while to light—along with a hefty dose of embarrassment because nine mutual aid departments rolled to the scene of a first alarm fire! Remember, the reality of volunteerism is that staffing is so low that it takes an entire fleet just to get manpower sufficient for primary and secondary attack teams! “Set it and hit it” is becoming the new slogan for many departments, which adds to a litany of safety concerns… but we are volleys and do what we need to do, right?
In the end, while volunteer firefighters may not always fit the glamorous image, they’re a dedicated bunch who tackle everything from the serious to the silly. They bond over the mishaps, share a good laugh about the day’s challenges, and prove that saving the day is just as much about community spirit—and a good sense of humor—as it is about battling flames. After all, if you can’t laugh at yourself while rushing to a call in mismatched socks and your wife’s underwear, are you living the volunteer life? Okay, maybe that was a little weird, but I am sure it happened somewhere in Volley Town, USA.
As a volunteer, I hope the public views us in a way that inspires confidence and respect, especially since many of us are facing short staffing and limited manpower at major events. The reality is that if we don’t change how we manage our volunteers and invest in nurturing them for future generations, we risk closing our doors. For many communities, that could mean firefighting becomes a career-only option. For others, it might mean continuing to patch a sinking ship until everyone is in danger—or worse until a life is lost.
Stay safe, and please—set your clothes out by your bed for those late-night calls! – Dr. M
