I Want to be a Firefighter...

But my dad doesn't. Hi guys. I have always wanted to get into Public Safety, partly because I have relatives that do it, but mainly because I want to make a difference in someone's life when the tones go off. But my dad comes from the corporate worlds. He makes a lot of money, and sort of looks down on Police/Fire/EMS. He keeps telling me to reconsider my career choice, but this is what I want. It is no longer a little kids dream. It is a burning desire in my heart. What should I do?
Please reply respectfully, and courteous to each other.

I for one am excited to hear your desire to be a firefighter.
Your dad may look down on such people because the money may not be as great but there is a reason why people become firefighters and policemen and it certainly isn't about the money. A firefighter everyday is risking his own life to to save another he takes the fire head on and goes to great lengths to save random people he has never met or known they could be truly evil people for all he knows but he risks his life for their regardless.

if this is not a perfect example of Christ sacrifice for us I don't know what is. As for policemen I admire that as well, some join the police force for power or because they like to have authority others join for different reasons but the bade that a policeman wears means something it is isn't just a badge to show you have authority with the badge comes the vow to uphold the law not enforce it to serve and not be served to show honor in everyday work you do to be shining example to others what valor honor and virtue is.

do you think your dad might also be concerned about your safety?

have you guys tried to talk this out? i'm guessing you have... just a suggestion.

ps-- i chuckled a little at 'burning desire'. pun not intended? (but well done! )

I didn't think about that, it is very possible he is concerned about your safety after all both jobs while honorable are dangerous of course not knowing him or you for that matter all i can do is give perspective

I think that you should follow your dream or you will regret it later.

Go for it, man! If you're dad flat out tells you not to do it you have a problem. But if he's a reasonable guy (from experience with my dad, anyway) if you can convince him that this is really what is going to make you happy, I really don't think he'll stand in your way.

Keep in prayer, too! Pray that God would work out the details and make it clear if this is His will for your life. In your post I just see two factors: you, and your dad. You didn't mention the most important one: the Almighty . Perhaps your father's objections are even God's way of slowing you down, telling you to "wait" for some reason or another. (not necessarily, either). Prayer is one of the most important things we can do, even when if feels like doing nothing.

In a year, you'll be 18 and able to decide for yourself. Ask God what HE wants you to do regarding this life decision.

What do you think of the career alternative he proposes?

I respect that you want to consider your dad's words and honor his wishes. My opinion is to lay all your cards out on the table between you and your dad, and you make your choice from there. You can disagree with him on principle and still be respectful. I imagine that if you wind up unhappy pursuing what he advises you to chase, it'll hurt your relationship with him down the road (spite/embitterment).

Good luck Colt!

Your dad probably has no idea how much firefighters can make. If you became one here you could easily make a six figure salary. If you tell him that, he won't believe it so show him this article. Plus, I once read that they get retirement pensions that are like 80% of their pay.

L.A. firefighters' average overtime pay rose 20% in 2013 - latimes

but that is L.A. where teeny tiny house with no worthwhile property sales for an insane 6 digits. when its not even worth lower 5 digits.

Well its a tough Job. My uncle justin is one and when I was at his house it was just soo annoying because day and night the walky talky was just going shhhHHHHH, then someone talking and then again TSHHHHH. and out of the sudden ''I gotta go''.
You have to do a lot of work out aswell and stuff. If you wanna do it, go ahead but its better to do it as a side Job and do something else besides that.
Just to keep yourself financially secure.

I don't know how the school system works over there, nor how much you get to pick and choose for each course
... but would it be possible for you to choose something which is useful in any education until you are 18 and can make your own decisions?

Making six figures is still a lot of money here. Most people can only afford homes here with both husband and wife making 5 figure salaries. One person making $100k is still a lot. The reason they make so much is because the firemen/police union here is very powerful.

I should also point out that EMT's don't make a lot of money here even though they probably have the most demanding job. I hear they make around $15-$20 an hour. By comparison, the average walmart employee makes $15 an hour. EMT's don't have a union.

Follow your heart.

This is interesting... (I'm sorry to interrupt.)

Do Walmart employees really make that much? Several employees I work with used to work at Wally's World and said they were paid minimum wage, which is why they left, and that Walmart has found a way to block out unions.

But that could just be where I live.

Regarding the OP--my high school bf became an EMT (he loved it, but eventually was forced out because he blew out his back from lifting people on stretchers all the time). I have no idea how much money he made.

He was also a firefighter, but as a volunteer.

Are there any volunteer programs in your area in which you might be able to get your feet wet, even if it's behind the scenes, and possibly ease your dad into the idea?

And, does anyone else in your family support your dream (who would be on your side in helping you meet your goals?)

I hope so, because it's awesome!

No the average Walmart employee makes federal min. wage. there are some paid 15, but only because their cities or states have raised min wage to 15. EMT pay is different from state to state, it is also lower because it's considered near the bottom of the medical field ladder, if you want to make more than an EMT move up the ladder to higher paying jobs. Also firefighters on average don't make that much money, my stepfather actually retired as a captain of a fire station. I believe he was close to 75K a year when he retired, not too bad I know, but that was at the end of his career, starting pay here is currently 23K a year, which is considered good for a firefighter in many places. There are places that pay well of course, but usually the places that pay firefighters good also have MUCH higher standards of living. So the higher pay levels off with the higher cost of living. The Retirement can be great if you let it, but it's not just a thing set in stone, you have choices to make. Like my step father choose to pay in a lot more into retirement the last few years of career to boost it up. Called it a reverse drop I believe. Also EMTS, important they are and not saying their job is as easy as flipping burgers, DO NOT have the most demanding job in the world, not even close. I could name tons of jobs more demanding, not hating on EMTS though. But in the end you should do Whatever career path you want and will make you happy, even if the pay is low. I have done hard jobs I hated and made tons of money while being miserable, and I have done low paying jobs I didn't mind so much enjoyed life so much more.

Walmart pays the market rate depending on the local economy. Most of the time, that is minimum wage, but in the Dakotas (where they are having an oil boom right now), they pay their employees $25-30/hour. Because they have to -- otherwise, they would not be able to get any employees.

Yeah, I kind of did a double take at "WalMart employees make $15/hour" too. I recall WalMart employees assembling and protesting outside of their store over the low wages, and even attempting to unionize at several different locations across the states.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9.