A publication dedicated to the well-being of firefighters across North America and beyond.
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People love a person in uniform and firefighters are at the top of that list. While most firefighters can start a new relationship with ease, some may lack the knowledge of how to turn it into a more meaningful partnership beyond the initial stage. We focus not only on dating and marriage but also on the relationships that firefighters have with other family members, friends and fellow firefighters.
All relationships suffer from resentment at some point. What causes resentment in long-term relationships? Does it have to happen? Is it inevitable? The cause of resentment is often the perception of an unbalanced relationship. It’s not the ONLY cause, but it is a primary issue.
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What does the word "vulnerability" mean to you as a First Responder? What's the first thing that comes to mind? After over 30 years in the fire service, I can tell you what I used to think it meant.
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The unwavering courage of firefighters is undeniable. But what about when they head home? Firefighters as parents face unique challenges when raising teenagers - ask anyone who survived those infamous years. Erratic schedules, the constant unpredictable nature, and the emotional toll of the job can create a gap in communication and understanding. However, with a little effort, firefighter parents and teenagers can build strong, supportive relationships. One that might even pass the firefighting bug onto the next generation.
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I often wonder why the fire service isn’t better off than it is, and as any good firefighter does, I begin to formulate plans that will fix all of these problems. Get two or more firefighters involved in the problem-solving process for even better results. This proven technique has stood the test of time in quickly pinpointing those who are to blame. However, if you find yourself in one of those honest moments of reflection, you might discover some things that make the wheels fall off of all those theories. You might realize that you are the problem.
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Marriage can be difficult, primarily when one or both partners work high-stress jobs with long shifts. It can be challenging to meet with your schedules. Add children to the mix, and nurturing your relationship may seem impossible. But, as my mom says, where there is a will, there is a way.
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The unwavering commitment of first responders comes with undeniable challenges to personal lives. Erratic schedules disrupt family routines, and the emotional weight of the job can create communication barriers with partners. While the camaraderie within our teams is strong, fostering healthy relationships at home requires open communication and mutual understanding.
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What do we mean by boundaries? Boundaries can be described as where you end and I begin. Or more succinctly, your personal boundaries are your limits. This includes physical distance/affection, time, mental, emotional or financial investments. Not everyone has the same boundaries, some people don’t have any at all! These people are often exhausted, resentful, and/or frustrated. Sound familiar?
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This week’s been a strange one. In our family, there’s a lot to juggle. I work full-time, my husband is on call to go fight wildfires as well as work his regular shifts, and we have two kids who are highly engaged in sports, friends, and activities.
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There are many good things about working in Fire. One of them is the sense of “brotherhood” and “family” that is frequently brought up. But a workplace bully can sour that brotherhood. But what happens when this isn’t the case? What happens when you are working in a station or on a crew that simply doesn’t get along?
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It’s no secret today that as first responders, we are faced with a constant gauntlet of various types of traumas. In its simplest form, just showing up for a shift or call exposes you to a situation most in society will never experience, never mind endure time and time again. Big city, small town, volunteer or full-time, we immerse ourselves into the worst days of the public in the name of helping others.
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