The Top 5 Characteristics of a Firefighter

A unique insiders step by step view of the characteristics that a firefighter must possess is hard to come by. I have been in the Fire Service for over 25 years now and have come to know and understand these characteristics thoroughly.

If you are a prospective firefighter and seriously want to pursue this wonderful career, then you need to know the mindset of the firefighter and the thought process that generates that mindset. People think it is complicated and unachievable but really the secret is to bring things back to basics. To be a human being and recognise the traits that have been preset into our make up.

To achieve your goal in life you must be able to visualise the reality of becoming a firefighter, and you can only achieve this by thinking of yourself as a firefighter and believing that you possess the characteristics of a firefighter.

Here are some of the essential characteristics that you already have but need to be aware of:

• Integrity - This is the cornerstone trait of all firefighters. As a working firefighter, you come across people at their lowest and most vulnerable times of their lives, and you see and hear things that require immediate and eternal confidentiality. It is up to you as the person they are relying on 100% to be that confidant, to support them in any way you can and to have the integrity to deal with any situation no matter what your beliefs or their misgivings.


• Compassion - A natural 'partner' to integrity, a genuine desire to help people is a confirmation of the fact that you are compassionate. Compassion and empathy are critically important tools to initiate the recovery period after a traumatic situation. It is your compassion that aids people in the few hours or minutes following a trauma to their lives. This is what they will remember and for most what gets them through the hardest part.


• Active Listening - This is a skill that is nurtured within and takes time to cultivate within oneself. To truly listen is to empathize and seek to understand, not to listen with a view to your viewpoint being understood. You are there to help, not to give judgment or your opinion. It is also paramount that you are able to listen for orders and direction from your senior officer in charge. A lack of listening to instructions in an emergency situation can be the difference between life and death.


• Positive Attitude - There are very few attributes more powerful and effective in a human being than a positive outlook on life. A firefighter must believe that there is a solution to every problem and that no task is insurmountable. A positive attitude is contagious and within a crew it can be a powerful tool.


• Team player - The ability to be a constructive and considerate part of a team is a vital component in ensuring successful outcomes to emergency situations. Pro active action, sharing of ideas, and working together in unison with others is an absolute necessity for all firefighters. Your team become your family, you eat, sleep and work together. They are your support network as you are theirs and it is vital to participate in any way that you can.

These are just 5 of the characteristics that are looked for in a firefighter.

To find out more on this topic please see below for details!

For more information on this please visit http://www.thinklikeafirefighter.com/ebook.

THINK LIKE A FIREFIGHTER is available for instant download NOW online!

Donal Petherbridge is a Senior Officer & Firefighter with over 26 years experience working in a full-time front line Fire and EMS Fire Service. He has trained and instructed recruit and veteran firefighters, trained and instructed officers through various ranks and promotional competitions

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