I am torn between becoming a Police Officer and a Firefighter. I am a 19 year old female. I am very interested in both of these, but do not know which one to choose. I know a little about each, but your input can help me a lot.
Any information you have on either of these would be great, For example:
Salaries, benefits, work schedules...etc.
If you yourself are either of these, is it worth it? Do you wake up every day and ENJOY going to work? Which one do you think would be best for me?
Please, any information would really help.
I appreciate your time,
Thank you :)
2007-12-19 03:56:53 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I've been working in law enforcement since I was 17. And I have been a volunteer firefighter for six months. Both jobs make you feel as though you're making a difference. But both jobs can be very hard.
Forget about the salaries, benefits and work schedules because in most places they are the same...
Police: You do feel as though you're making a difference. There is no feeling better than when you catch the bad guy and lock him up. You get to help people. But, the paper work is hard and repetitive. You get have to deal with abuse from idiots and you can't do anything about it. You get kicked, punched, threatened (you don't know threats until a gang member says that he is going to strangle your children). When you arrest someone that makes you sick - killers, child abusers, etc - you have to treat them with respect. You have to deal with a public that thinks you're corrupt and have too much power when you really have none. It's hard.
Firefighter: Great job. You get to help people all the time. But, you'll be in physical pain for a while when you start - it's not easy. Start lifting weights and get to the gym if you aren't already. You have to deal with people that are injured and in pain. You'll deal mostly with car accidents and it will take you 20 minutes to get someone out of the car that you know is dying. You will see people die - guaranteed.
Hope that hasn't turned you off too much. They are both amazing jobs that always have new and exciting challanges everyday. I always jump out of bed in the morning to get to work. I have never regretted working in both occupations. If you can handle the bad aspects and you can work hard you'll love it.
Good luck.
2007-12-19 04:26:08 · answer #1 · answered by Jason B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both of them are very rewarding careers with excellent benefit and retirement plans. For the most part a lot of places are getting salaries for these fine men and women to the point where they can live comfortably. I agree with the previous statement that if you are not 100% sure that you want to be a police officer then I would consider a different career. I am going to Highway Patrol school soon and that is what I have always wanted to do. I got my bachelors degree and pursued becoming a state trooper.
I would consider doing ride alongs with your local police department and get a feel for what they have to put up with on a daily basis. I am not sure if fire departments allow this but it is a excellent way for you to get insight on the lifestyle that each of these true heros do on a day in day out basis.
Good luck on your future career and God Bless.
2007-12-19 04:16:07 · answer #2 · answered by cdm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a 240lb heavily muscled firefighter, over 300lbs in turn out gear and scba, ask yourself this, if you are my partner and s h i t goes sideways and I end up going through a floor or hit by collapsing trusses, are you going to pull me out, can I trust my life in your hands, are you going to be able to tell my daughter her Daddy isn't coming home. My point is Fire fighting is an extremely physically demanding job, unless you can bench press 300lbs you won't be doing anyone any favours, probobly not what you wanted to hear, There are some jobs "some" women shouldn't do and firefighting is one of them , and ya, I love being a firefighter.
2007-12-19 05:25:40 · answer #3 · answered by Craven Moorehead 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, there are SOME communities who have "Public Safety Officers" who serve a rotational schedule as BOTH!! Sunnyvale, California was one of the pioneers of this, and as it's my old hometown I used to see them at work...
"Cops" pulling up to a fire before the trucks, hauling their gear out of their trunks, suiting up, and getting evacuations started and having the hydrants ready and charged for the trucks arrival...
One of my best friends from High School worked for the Sunnyvale Public Safety Department for 20 years and LOVED IT.
Salaries, benefits, training and schedules will vary from department to department...
And to the guy who said no such thing as female fire-fighters... "wow, how long have you been stuck in the 1950's?"
GOOD LUCK
2007-12-19 04:12:49 · answer #4 · answered by mariner31 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be a Firefighter. Everyone Loves those guys ALL the time!!. The only time Cops are loved is when people need one.
2007-12-19 04:02:36 · answer #5 · answered by SGT. D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but if you are that torn between the two, then firefighter is the way to go. If you don't want to 100% be a cop, then its not for you.
2007-12-19 04:02:52 · answer #6 · answered by California Street Cop 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I never saw Women as Firefighter..
But police officer a lot. Police officer is more fun job.
2007-12-19 04:01:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
If you can't decide for yourself, I wouldn't let total strangers decide for you... Maybe you could be a nurse.... They pretty much rock anyway!!!
2007-12-19 05:04:17 · answer #8 · answered by jennyღ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
firefighters r good guy's always....police r not....
2007-12-19 04:01:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋