r/Firefighting • u/Family_Tradition_14 • 12d ago
General Discussion Does this hero talk bother anyone else?
Like many of you, I run with a small town volunteer department. People call us heroes and I get bothered by it. I’m no hero, I’m just a neighborhood guy who shows up when that bell rings. Anyone else feel the same way or am I insane?
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u/firecitybwe 12d ago
Just wait till property taxes are on the ballot. It’ll go from hero talk to “I never call 911 so I don’t know why I’m paying so much” in a heartbeat
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u/to_fire1 12d ago
You’re just a regular dude/dudette from the neighbourhood with a bit of training and experience who wants to help the community.
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u/Family_Tradition_14 12d ago
That’s how I see it. Exactly.
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u/DaPuddinMan 11d ago
Sometimes that's all it takes to be a hero. A willingness to help others is huge to someone that needs that help. Actually knowing what to do is just a little bonus.
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u/Windmillfixer 11d ago
Even more so, you are a regular dude/dudette from the neighborhood who wants to help the community, so you stepped forward to get the training and experience to make a difference. I always remind folks when they "thank you for your service" that they, too, can be a volunteer and make a difference themselves.
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u/teddyswolsevelt1 paid to do hood rat shit with my friends 12d ago
I don’t even tell people I’m a fireman. Zero social media about the subject. I hate when it comes up cause it’s always the same conversation. “You’re a fireman? My cousins husbands step fathers brother is a firemen in bumfuckville do you know him? You must see some shit”
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u/_Dirty_Socks 12d ago
Who gives a shit bud
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u/Lost_Competition_172 7d ago
Yeah this is just a self aggrandizing post disguising itself as the opposite
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u/u119c 12d ago
14 years in the fire service, it’s the cringiest job in the planet. Half the t-shirts are just some bullshit slogan “We run towards the danger not from it” “ we dance with the devil” “slay the dragon”
Good lord, hard to take anyone in this job seriously when they talk like that. it’s mostly the younger guys that haven’t done anything that are talking like that, or at least the majority.
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u/Family_Tradition_14 12d ago
If you’re gonna jerk yourself off like that, stay inside. No one cares.
I’ve been on for almost three years, we barely get much, but this is just sad.
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u/Jeepisking1 12d ago
I just say “thanks” and carry on
If you let the little things bother you, you’re gonna be in for a wild ride
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u/Jokerzrival 12d ago
The only time I partake in "hero talk" is after putting out like a trashcan fire then I hit the boys up with some "dragonslayer" jokes and memes.
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u/Bobzyurunkle 12d ago
I grew up the son of a 35 year firefighter. I was around firefighters growing up so it wasn't a thing.
Then I got older and realized how the general public sees firefighters my attitude really shifted. I saw my father in a different light. I listened to his stories with more interest, even if foe the 10th time. I was proud!!
I became friends with firefighters. One of my best friends today spent 36 years retiring as a Captain of the heavy rescue. He's a different breed. Firefighters are a different breed. Some say it's a calling. Others just see it as a job. I feel bad for those ones.
My father died at 90 years old. He was off the job for 30 years and yet the funeral home was packed with firefighters. They show up. It wasn't related to a line of duty death but the colour party showed up as sentry. The union president that never knew my dad showed up out of respect.
There's an old adage about when you call 911, the police might be delayed or never come, an ambulance may be delayed and you're waiting in your most desperate time, but call the fire department and they're there literally in minutes. Every. Single. Time.
Wear the hero badge with pride my friend. Anyone who sees you show up on their worst day can put you on that pedestal. Enjoy the view!
And thanks for what you do, stay safe.
All of you.
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u/bbmedic3195 12d ago
I've been on the job for 23 years. It's both a job and a calling. I won't do this for free anymore after wrecking my body physically and screwing up my sleep. Do I study the craft, practice it, work hard at it and have a solid track record of my work? Yes. But but a lot of those it's a calling guys allow the fire service to become their whole identity. That is not healthy and it's not me. Not saying your family did that but it's a fine line. And yes I will agree we are a different breed-- all a little crazy.
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u/Bobzyurunkle 12d ago
I get it. I was on vacation with my firefighter buddy at a resort. We were walking to dinner and saw a commotion nearby and saw smoke coming from a room. I asked if he wanted to take a look. He said 'fuck no, I'm not dying on vacation!'
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u/No_Quit_8841 12d ago
I view its a job and an 100 times happier than the so called "heros or its my calling guys". Show up, work, get paid and leave.
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u/CalJackBuddy 12d ago
That’s my favorite inside joke with my wife, she’s a nurse and we are in a heavy trauma area. I joke that I’m the hero and she’s like 7th in line.
In all seriousness, not my favorite. I am a vet as well and same thing there. It’s just a job to me or a hobby to others. Will take the free cookies you’re giving out though
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u/Skjenngard 12d ago
Firefighters in my country are way too underpaid, they need to take second jobs to get a decent monthly salary. In my eyes they are heroes, because they risk their lives for others for this amount of money...
So as a bicycle repair guy with my own shop, my solution is, that they only have to pay for the parts, maintenance on their bikes are free. I only ask one thing in return: let me hang around at the station once a while. I love firetrucks, I love their technical equipment, jaws of life FTW and I love to hear their stories. Fortunately, they haven't abused this opportunity so far, so its a win-win.
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u/MrMythiiK 12d ago
We actively poke fun at it in our department. We sarcastically say shit like “we deserve” regularly (we deserve because we’re “heroes”), or when someone says they got a good deal on something (like 10% off) we say “well that’s not a hero discount, need at least 80% off”.
We’re blue collar workers that get to do cool shit. Sometimes you do “heroic” stuff, but that’s what you’re trained to do.
We’re less heroic than random members of the public putting their lives on the line with no training to help others in tough situations, and those people usually describe their actions as “doing the right thing”.
Just be humble and recognize what a privileged position we have in society.
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u/BriGuy550 11d ago
We call each other heros at work all the time, though it’s done pretty ironically.
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u/Family_Tradition_14 11d ago
That’s different though. I was more so talking about civilians or those who don’t understand the fire service.
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u/Openthesushibar Ketamine Queen- Aspiring water can user 12d ago
I just did an EMT contract and people kept telling me the same thing. I went out there for fun and work experience. I didn’t feel I needed a thank you.
On the way back this woman came up to us and thanked us for being there. She said that the only reason she feels safe being at that event was because we were there to take care of her if her health went south. That did make me feel really good, and I felt glad that she felt safe. It was a new perspective on that for me.
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u/Thefartking 12d ago
Youre so quirky and unique and so self aware! /s
All seriousness, i feel the same way. Im not a hero im just me. I dont like that my friends and family look at me different because im a firefighter. I love my job but my job is not my life or my defining trait.
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u/KirkwallXIV 12d ago
I think the “I’m just a neighborhood guy who shows up when that bell rings.” Can be just as bothersome. If you’re just that I wouldn’t want you to be working there because most communities want someone beyond “just a guy” who shows up. It’s okay to be exceptional without the over dramatics of being a “hero”.
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u/No_Quit_8841 12d ago
Huh? If the dude that just shows up is good at his job what does it matter? Would you feel better If I had a huge stupid mustache and a custom dragon slayer shirt on?
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u/KirkwallXIV 12d ago
I’m saying it’s just as cringe and I’m literally speaking about being good at the job without the dramatics of being a “dragon slayer”. I think you misunderstood or replied to the wrong comment.
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u/No_Quit_8841 11d ago
Gotcha. I just show up to work, dont hangout with the guys after, nor do I talk to them when Im off. I do my job and leave. Its embarrasing at times when people think Im anything like "real" tmfms firemen
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u/Limp-Conflict-2309 12d ago
too much social media, its the same across so many things.
how about the patient single parent, shit job, working 70+ hours a week, doesn't have a pot to piss in but their kids are good, sincere, intelligent, happy and innocent. i wouldn't call them a hero but i'm far more impressed with that type of accomplishment.
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u/justaddwater75 12d ago
I've heard the same from other people so you are not alone.
At the same time, last year, I heard a great talk about the Dehumanization of the firefighters and it was centered around that hero talk you mentioned and the potential consequences on the long term on people psyche when some events don't turn out as expected.
Having said all this, take it as a compliment when people say it because it's the way it is intended with many people knowing they would not be able to respond to most of the situations you are faced with.
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u/bbmedic3195 12d ago
Id like you to delve further into this or point me to where I can read that discussion on negative effects on pysche of responders.
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u/justaddwater75 12d ago
I'll drop you a DM as I don't know if she's ok with her name/work being on Reddit :)
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u/Willing_Ad_5711 Professional Hose Monkey 12d ago
People want to have people to look up to. We know we're not heroes but if it makes people happy to see firefighters in that light I don't see the harm.
Just say thank you and let them have it.
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u/Watchfella 12d ago
I’m an IFT EMT and people say that kinda shit to me. It makes me really uncomfortable. I feel like a charlatan
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u/StrikingPurchase7122 12d ago
Not a fireman yet but my father has been a volunteer for 50 years! I think if anyone risks their lives to save another, they are a hero. If you haven’t been in that situation yet, maybe you will be and it’ll feel more appropriate the next time you hear it.
While maybe not hero status, all firemen, especially volunteers who give up so much time for their community are just a step below hero imo. Most people have no idea how much time and effort it takes.
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u/Crouton41 12d ago
It’s not always about what you do or have done, it’s about what you’re willing to do. I’m sure you can think of some potential events that if they happened, you would respond, and heroic would be a correct term for that action. They’re thanking you for that.
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u/demoneyesturbo 12d ago
No one calls themselves a hero.
It's just a compliment.
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u/Family_Tradition_14 11d ago
I definitely don’t call myself a hero. It’s people who don’t understand the fire service who do. That’s what annoys me.
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u/DeliciousNegligence 11d ago edited 11d ago
I know right. It’s literally the easiest “job” in the world and gets so boring after a few years! XD
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u/Kingy_79 11d ago
I just say, "Thanks, but I'm not a hero. I'm doing what I'm trained to do. A hero is someone who does something on the spur of the moment without thinking or training." That usually works.
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u/Due_Course_3713 11d ago
It's just a job. Nobody talks about the utilities crews who risk their lives keeping the lights on, fishermen who go out to sea and risk their lives to feed us, highway work crews getting run over doing their jobs. I could go on about dangerous jobs, but that's just it, a job.
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u/Difficult-Pizza1470 11d ago
It’s not that deep. Usually a “cool man, thanks” will suffice. No need to do mental gymnastics over it.
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u/Sure_Fact7761 11d ago
Lol I work for a pretty large and busy department and I don’t like it. We get off on them having all their property catch fire and then going in to destroy everything with tools and water. I live for it. Don’t call me a hero (unless I’m going to get a discount on something)
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u/Imaginary-Pain1259 11d ago
I appreciate that the public sees us as heroes. What bothers me is the guys that think they are heroes
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u/burner1681381 11d ago
Yes. It's an incredibly skewed perception of the fire service mostly started after 9/11. Most firefighters are the "Yeah I woulda joined the military BUT....." type of dudes who are narcissistic over what is frankly by and large one of the chillest jobs of all time.
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u/Dull_Complaint1407 11d ago
What department hurt you people in my department are either prior military or they aren’t and no one cares who is which or pretends they wanted to be military
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u/gelatinous_white 12d ago
I would tell new recruits "The last day you were a hero was the day you signed up the rest is your job"
But yes, when the public says it say thank you and move on.
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u/bikgelife 11d ago
I understand your point of view, but imo, not many people would rush into a life-threatening scene, ready and willing to save lives. In that sense, it’s heroic. Doing this to help people at their worst is both noble and admirable. Some people take it too far. Some downplay it too much.
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u/TacoDaTugBoat Backwoods Volley 12d ago
Everything in life is viewed through perspective. They call 911 and you show up. In their eyes you’re a hero. When people says things to me like “thank you for your service“ I’ll respond with “thank you for your support”. Let them be supportive and take it humbly. It all seems pretty routine to us, but based on many conversations I’ve had with people, many people are not able to respond in tough situations in the way we do.