The face of fire fighting has come a long way, from the first firefighters during the crusades to the firefighters of early America all the way to the modern high tech firefighter. Even a hundred years ago the firefighter was a much different idea, not only in equipment and techniques but also the job they did. It wasn’t long ago that firefighters fought fires and that’s it, but in recent years fire departments have been called to a wider variety of emergencies they now respond to everything from car accidents and medical aids to hazardous material spills and terrorist attacks and everything in-between. Despite the increased danger firefighting has become one of the most sought after jobs in America, people can wait up to five years to gain a permanent position at a fire department. No longer can simple firefighter walk into a position, now a good candidate needs to be a college graduate, paramedic and/or EMT, and most importantly a person with a good upright solid character.

    The technology used by firefighters these days is astounding, you can find a firefighter running into a building with a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), a thermal imaging camera, and a radio so he or she can keep in touch with the people outside. All of these advances and helpful pieces of equipment can help a firefighters do their job all the more effectively, helping preserve the life and property of others. Despite this advantage it is the firefighter, the person in the suit that saves lives not their equipment.

    Most of the fire departments in the United States are volunteer fire departments. And most every call any fire department goes to is that of medical emergencies. Every major city across the country have fire crews that consist of firefighters that are trained in emergency medicine. Car accidents and medical calls are a much higher percentage of the calls a department runs as opposed to that of fire related calls. Many of the cities have Advanced Life Support (ALS) crews, meaning onboard they have paramedics and all the equipment they need. Despite this change in job description it would not be a challenge to find a firefighter that whole heatedly loves their job. To be a firefighter is an honor and a privilege, to be able to go out to were there are people in pain or scared and help those people is a feeling unlike any other. The buildup of this society brings with it more dangers to a public servant whether it be a firefighter, police officer, ambulance crew, or others but this does not turn these people away from doing their job.