I met my husband at a fire station where he was interning. He has served as a firefighter/EMT in two cities for four years now and it’s part of our family identity. The kids check the color-coded calendar daily: 24-hour fire shifts are red, 48-hours off are green for his second job or blue days are at home.
Firefighters DON’T get paid to sleep.
My husband brought the on-call radio home recently. All day, there was chatter between fire/EMS and dispatch. That night, I slept peacefully—he listened. It reinforced to me the mental and emotional stress of this job. Even without running a single call, sleeping at the station is not the same as at home, completely relaxed.
Law enforcement spouses also tell me how even off-duty, they scan the exits and watch for unusual behavior. They may call in and ask about car wrecks, always staying mentally and physically primed to take action.
After a 24-hour shift, when they may have cared for a dying baby or cleaned up a car wreck, firefighters and medics still go to their second or third jobs. Then they come home to invest in their families. They are heroes!
Serving it up hot. Or not.
Firefighters buy their own groceries and make their meals at the station. They have various systems for trading off who cooks. And there are some sizzling chefs in the fire house. My husband researches recipes or steals mine. There’s still always the risk that they will need to leave quickly…and come back late and eat a cold supper.
Every third night.
A veteran fire wife encouraged me to adapt and enjoy being alone. I look forward to getting back to my TV series, to a home spa night, or working on my projects. I also appreciate the support and help of friends who come over or invite kids and I out.
Bring on the cutesy fire stuff.
We decorate baby blankets with tiny engines, the walls with helmets, birthday parties with flames, and the Christmas tree with axes. We cheer for lights and sirens, while praying for patients.
Our two-year-old tells us he is going to work at the fire station and demands to see his truck. But he was delighted to discover the K-9 unit too…we’ll be a first responder family forever.
Yes, we get scared.
My husband had been a firefighter for less than six months, when I got a terrifying midnight call. Thankfully, he was uninjured but the floor had fallen out under him at a house fire. Accidents happen, but I know first responders are well-trained to manage it, and they have each other’s backs.
A friend texted me after seeing her LEO husband on the news…and it wasn’t to brag. Our loved ones are in dangerous or unstable situations frequently.
I got you, babe.
I enjoy banding together with other fire wives in an auxiliary group. We play bunco, we watch each other’s kids, we commiserate, we run together in support of our Community Chaplain Response Team, we make cookies for the Garcia Memorial golf tournament.
The kids and I also stop by the station often. The kids get a pre-bedtime wrestling or catch session with firefighter buddies and I can talk over the day with hubby.
We love our fire/EMS family. Whether its hauling off an old fridge or helping build a deck, it’s a great community. Thanks for keeping first responders in your thoughts and prayers.
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