All firefighters can identify a reason that sparked their initial passion for becoming a firefighter—to serve their community, to save people, to work as part of a team, to become part of the station house brotherhood or something else. That reason turns into a passion that supersedes any fear of danger or job-related stress. Impact of a stressful career
When comparing vocations with the highest stress levels, those that top the list involve some kind of personal danger. CareerCast studied stress factors with regard to 200 jobs, including required travel, deadlines, working under public scrutiny, physical demands, environmental conditions, hazards, risks to one’s own life, and interactions with the public at large. Firefighting was ultimately ranked the second-most stressful job, with enlisted military personnel at the top spot. Prospective firefighters are likely well aware of some of the risks of being a firefighter; however, they may not be aware that chronic stress can impair clear thinking and decision-making. Further, research shows that unmanaged stress may lead to anxiety, depression and PTSD.