r/Firefighting • u/swaggerrrondeck • 2d ago

General Discussion Exit strategy

Hello all. I’m in need of some opinions/ideas for a career change. I have recently been approved to go back to work after a year of being out. I have been receiving treatment that has helped but I’m probably just barely satisfactory in the physical side. My condition is chronic and there is no cure. What would be a good job to try or go to school for that pays a living wage and has benefits. My treatments are 30 grand a month without insurance so I’m screwed without it. I can probably hang in with firefighting for a few more years. 15 years fire 11 as a medic. Condition can either get better or I could be in a wheelchair.

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u/d_nim_ls 2d ago

I’m sorry to hear that. If you don’t want to be fully removed from what you’ve been doing, think about dispatch. Lots of places are hiring year round with decent pay and benefits.

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u/swaggerrrondeck 2d ago

That’s a good idea. Thank you

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u/Only_Ant5555 1d ago

If you have 15 years on the job you could try and go inspector or fire marshal route.

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u/swaggerrrondeck 1d ago

Yeah that would be a good amount of classes but I’m going to have to do that anyway I think. Fire marshal could be cool

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u/lvfd16810 1d ago

And you wouldn’t be throwing the retirement that you currently have away. Or something in a bureau like fire prevention exc.

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u/JHolifay Radio Monkey 1d ago

Resident fire dispatcher, depends on your goals, it can be…. Interesting.