Its awesome to be able to retire in the early 50's. However, I saw a lot of people die within 5 years after retirement (not sure of the correlation, but it seemed to be more than just a coincidence).

And you have to remember that its a lot of wear and tear on your body. Lots of people with blown discs, knee problems, various lung problems, etc. You really have to take precautions to keep yourself healthy (working out is a necessity as well).

Last thing - if you get on with a full-time department - its true what they say. You will eat some of the best food you have ever eaten! I hesitate to say that it was better than Mom's, but it was damn close!

Thanks for posting! Used to love that show - here are 2 more favorites of mine, and yes I am showing my age too!

Hawaii 5-0

YouTube - Hawaii Five 0 Intro

SWAT

YouTube - S.W.A.T.

The truth
 

Out of the guys that retired when I got on the job about 3/6 are dead and 2 others had massive medical problems. The one that nothing happened is now working as a flight medic out west in his 60's good love him. On my group we have a former chef and he is junior so he does all the cooking. I will say one thing the GF can't compete. I will also second keeping your self healthy working out is one of the biggest thing's you can do during the day at my dept. I love the job and will never give it up.

Yeah, with a retirement like that I wouldn't give it up either. With the airlines creeping up the age of retirement and pensions being cut, anyone working won't have to worry about retiring. They'll be forced to work to death... Guess the medical problems/exposure to strenous situations are the downside of being a firefighter.

I'll add this as well, and I think some others will back me up. You don't need to be a professional weightlifter or able to run a marathon to be a firefighter. You have to be in shape, but a lot of the job requirements can be accomplished by knowing HOW to do it rather than having the strength to do it.

I'm only 5'10" and weighed about 145 when I got hired. If can lug a 2 1/2" hotel pack up 4 flights of stairs in full turnout gear with an SCBA, then anyone can do it!

Thought you were going to add, "if you can carry a fully loaded rollaboard and busting at the seams flightcase you too can be a firefighter". LOL

The funny thing is that when I read your response - I could hear Jeff Foxworthy doing his,

"If you carry a fully loaded rollaboard and a busting at the seams flightcase...You might be <able to be> a firefighter!"

LOL!

I like the 5-0 as well. Just the mention of the show and I'll have the theme song stuck in my head for days!! At least it's a good tune. :D

Ur gonna drive whoever your working with on a trip nutz for the next couple of days with those hyms in the cockpit! LOL. The little things on the fun quirks of being stuck in a cockpit with someone on a trip :p

FF's in my neck of the woods start at around 32K. Still better than regional wages...but not much