Beware Firefighters! Politicians are coming to balance your home and family budget. It’s no secret that firefighters need to become more involved in the political world to fight for rights and benefits that others in previous generations have fought for and won. Now, when times are tough, politicians are looking for retirements, salaries and benefits. The stations are closing and the workload is increasing. Basically, firefighters are going to work harder for less.

That’s not to say that firefighters still don’t have good benefits. So why would you say that firefighters need to look for a second job? Read on to discover the top 7 reasons why firefighters should consider a second job.

7) Training, training and more training. Being a firefighter is literally an all-hazards job. About the only thing they don’t do is shoot people. Even then, firefighters can get caught in the path of those situations. By finding a second job, you can become an expert in something other than firefighting. A lot of firefighters are contractors or climbers or whatever. Those people can do short training sessions in their area of ​​expertise that interests them and that can help other firefighters if they ever have to deal with a problem with those topics. Or they can apply their area of ​​expertise to help the department or staff.

6) Have something to look forward to in retirement around the corner is crucial. Just like new firefighters have to worry about getting laid off, older firefighters need to find an outlet other than work that allows them something to look forward to. Also, many retirees don’t retire with their full paycheck, so they also look to live on less income…a fixed income. Maybe they don’t need a second job, but it’s an option, instead of making calls until they’re 60.

5) Say goodbye to overtime. Many departments may already be at this point due to a lot of cutbacks, however there are other departments that have had a hiring freeze meaning mandates are done and overtime is plentiful. The problem is that if departments start shutting down stations (what they’re doing) or shutting down equipment (what they’re doing), the overtime disappears. And many firefighters have gotten used to that little extra income, and it’s starting to go away.

4) Some firefighters may need have some additional abilities in case the “L” word is used. For the most part, politicians aren’t dumb enough to fire firefighters, but that hasn’t stopped them from firing police officers and sheriffs, and if things don’t improve, they’ll start closing more stations and start laying off firefighters. New hires will be those that are expendable.

3) Firefighters are probably going to having to take a pay cut, giving up some benefits, paying more for retirement or medical benefits… or something like that. In some cases, a couple of these scenarios can be considered. The firefighters enjoyed several years of good contracts, many with heavy overtime and hiring. Today, management and politicians are trying to save themselves and looking for solutions. In the end, a take-home check from firefighters is going to be less than in the past, at precisely the wrong time in this economic world.

2) By studying and learning another subject than firefighting, you can find a way out that help you mentally deal with the job of a firefighter. Obviously, during the first few years, firefighters must learn as much as they can and must continue throughout their career. However, opening a book on woodworking, computer programming, or getting started selling quilts online can help them take their minds off some of the things they have to deal with. Everyone needs an outlet, and a firefighter’s work schedule can allow them to learn another skill and have a second job that is interesting, lucrative, and most of all, a stress reliever.

1) Firefighters should have a backup plan for injuries. It doesn’t matter if you’re on your first call or your last, the possibility of a debilitating and life-changing injury is always there. It doesn’t take much to explode a disc, twist a knee or tear a shoulder…among other injuries. Along with that are communicable diseases that can leave someone forever. There’s workers comp and other insurance, but with the way things are these days, covered with lawyers, it’s better to have things lined up for yourself. Our health is the most important thing we have, and it is put at stake every day. It’s time for firefighters to also make sure they are financially prepared, just in case.