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Thank you Bex. We work hard sometimes but have the fortune of some interspersed leasure while on duty at times too. I'm pretty sure I can speak for the majority of first responders when I say those of us that stay in this line of work after the first couple of years really love what we do. I've had a few different kinds of jobs before this--even went to University for something entirely different--but now I can't imagine doing anything else for a living.

But the risk is there every time anything happens. So while you may love what you do, you're still putting your life on the line... which can't be easy with a family to worry about.

True, but there's a lot of training and proceedure to minimize that risk in firefighting. We aren't really allowed to put ourselves in undue risk, because if the rescuer becomes a victim you just caused a lot more work for your buddies, taking away resources for those that initially needed rescue.

It's other aspects of my job at my current department that cause more concern in that area for me, which I have brought up once or twice in mod channels at TWB. I think you know what I'm referring to. So in that case, yes, it's not always easy.