From to , I served as a volunteer firefighter in a busy suburban department to understand how fire service organizations recruit and retain volunteers. Through my research project , I wanted to learn why people risk their lives, spend time away from loved ones and forego paid employment to serve their community.
But I learned much more about how a strong institutional culture can suppress individual dispositions, including prejudice.
Firefighting culture may provide a model for reforming law enforcement. After completing the requisite training, I served as a volunteer firefighter for three years and interviewed 30 firefighters. But when the alarm sounds for a fire in a lower-income or majority-minority subdivision, the same firefighters who vociferously engage in prejudicial banter around the firehouse dash to the engine, demand exceptional firemanship from themselves and their peers, and risk their lives on scene. The nature of the call, not the demographics of the neighborhood or the race of the victim, shaped the type and speed of the response.
I believe that fire-service culture suppresses individual prejudice. This causes biased individuals to treat all members of the public equitably. Sociologists contend that group culture shapes behavior in everyday life. Immersion in a strong organizational or group culture — such as a fraternity, church, sports team or police department — impacts how they act, especially when immersed in that social group.
The fire service is a close-knit brotherhood with a shared culture that generates solidarity. Firefighter culture is based upon masculine notions of emotional fortitude, physical strength , a high tolerance of risk , technical competence and a public service ethos.
Risk a little to save a little. Risk nothing to save nothing. Saving lives and helping those in need are shared virtues in the fire service. Firefighting culture extols selfless service to the community and excellence at performing fireground tasks.
Police officers often work overtime and witness intense situations. The BLS expects the same 5 percent job growth rate for police and firefighters between and , and this is the same as the average rate the bureau expects for all occupations. Local crime rates can impact the demand for police, while budgets can lead to changes in both police and firefighter jobs. The use of volunteer firefighters may impact paid jobs in that role.
Having advanced education like a college degree with some relevant experience can help you find either of these jobs. The BLS mentions that turnover will add some police positions, but competition should still remain high. Firefighters can benefit from medical training for better prospects. Ashley Donohoe started writing professionally in about career, business and technology topics. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Governors University along with eight years of experience managing all aspects of her small business.
Police Officer vs. By Ashley Donohoe Updated August 10, Police, on the other hand, score two for driving a squad car, 1. Of course, the MET measure is only looking at one area of exertion and doesn't provide a complete picture. With both requiring above-average levels of aerobic and cardiovascular fitness. No matter what part of emergency services you work in, maintaining fitness is important for both the long-term mental and physical health.
Exercise also helps burns off the chemical effects of job stress to help you relax and ease tension. Plus, those endorphins!
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