Firefighting isn’t exactly known for being an easy career. It is one of the most demanding jobs, both physically and mentally. The tension of a high-stress career is unsurprisingly difficult to contain. Hence, it isn’t uncommon to see the family lives of firefighters take a hit as well.
As a result, the struggles faced by the spouses and kids of firefighters often end up going under the radar. The first step in addressing this serious issue is to understand what exactly is going on outside the wire.
In this context, let us look at three key challenges that are faced by the family of firefighters.
1. Sleep Disruption and its Impact
The unpredictable schedule of firefighting shouldn’t come as a surprise for most spouses. If you have been dating a firefighter before you married them, you probably know the hectic schedules that they deal with.
Firefighters often work shifts, but it isn’t uncommon to see them called in even on their time off during emergencies. The low pay, sometimes as bad as $15 an hour, also means your partner might work another job in their downtime.
Being married to someone whose sleep cycle is unpredictable can be very difficult. When they wake up at 4:00 AM or are called for an emergency just after you’ve put the baby to sleep, it can be frustrating.
If you happen to be a light sleeper, then it’s even worse. For those who find it hard to sleep once awake, the sleep disruptions can be extremely tough to deal with. If they become a regular occurrence, then the impact on the entire family dynamic is tremendous.
It puts a strain on the relationship, and with the added responsibility of taking care of kids, the frustration is very real. It’s no surprise that the divorce rates in firefighter families are so high.
2. Dealing With Injury, Sickness or Death
The constant worry that partners have to deal with is another major challenge. Everyone knows the kind of risks that firefighters have to put themselves in. Serious injuries and fatalities happen frequently enough to keep you awake at night.
Moreover, even if they stay safe from the predictable risks, the hidden dangers of the career can cause sudden health issues that no one expected. You only have to look at the number of firefighting foam lawsuit cases that are being filed every year to realize this.
According to TorHoerman Law, several firefighters have developed cancer and serious health issues after being exposed to AFFF. This refers to aqueous film-forming foam, a type of extinguisher used on liquid fires.
Though many stations are trying to move away from toxic chemicals, it’s tough to completely avoid them. The stress that comes from needing to become the breadwinner or contribute more to the income if your partner becomes ill is serious.
The unfortunate part is that there’s not much you can do, but you can hope your partner is trying to keep you safe the best they can.
3. Feeling Alone in Handling Responsibilities
Ultimately, life as the partner of a firefighter can be overwhelming. Firefighters know that their partners are alone at home and miserable, but there’s not much to do besides a career switch.
With kids, the situation becomes even more difficult. Seeing your kids slowly resign and accept that their birthdays and theater performances are going to be missed by one parent is heartbreaking.
With their unpredictable schedules, everything from packing school lunches, doing the laundry, PTA meetings, and more falls to one parent. It’s extremely easy to feel overwhelmed and then lash out at your partner, even though it isn’t really their fault.
Sometimes it can feel like you are effectively raising kids on your own! When you consider that 95% of these professionals are men, it means your kids grow up without a father figure. Trying to discipline your kids, especially during the teenage years, can end up feeling ineffective.
These factors make it common for wives to develop feelings of depression and exhaustion.
If these aspects scare you, remember that it is better to be aware of the implications rather than be told that everything will turn out fine. You can learn to prepare yourself for the challenges, and thankfully, preparation does make things a little easier.
In conclusion, life can be stressful and tough, but you don’t have to face it alone. There are support groups out there where you can see how other partners deal with the demands of their spouse’s job. You might even be able to learn new coping mechanisms and, more importantly, build a new support network.
Life becomes a lot easier when you can find people to rely on. If your partner is unable to provide that support due to their career, there’s no shame in finding help and support elsewhere. You really don’t have to do this all on your own.
Quetext Report: https://www.quetext.com/reports/d8fa7b3333292cf4a561
