Probationary firefighters with the Owensboro Fire Department participated in a live burning simulation Tuesday, navigating their ways through a building topping 600 degrees. Though they are the newest batch of recruits, officials said interest in becoming a firefighter has dipped over the last few years among the younger generation — and OFD has had to extend the current deadline for applications.
As with all first response agencies, OFD has struggled to recruit entry-level firefighters over the last few years. With 75% of OFD’s runs being medical, Lieutenant Brad Leonard said that aspect of the job often causes a lot of stress on those responding to medical emergencies.
“When it’s your community, you can also be tied to that person you’re taking care of,” he said. “There may be a family member that knows that incident and you’re working it. When things go on, you know those who are getting hurt, and you know the emotions running through the family — you’re hearing about it.”
Leonard said fire departments have no control over one of the biggest issues in recruitment. A generational difference — one where kids are more interested in technological devices than public service — has made firefighting careers less sought out over the years.
“Something has changed,” he said. “I don’t know what it is, but you ask a kid today, ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ and they say ‘I want to be a YouTuber.’ The generation has changed from where … they still look up to us, but we’re somehow in the back of their mind, whereas what’s in front of them on YouTube, they want to be famous in that aspect.”
Leonard said when was growing up — around the time the 9/11 attacks took place — there was a sense of heroism and pride associated with becoming a firefighter. As he said, it had been a long time since something of that nature had grabbed the attention of younger generations.
“I was like, ‘Man, that heroic aspect is something I want to have in my life.’ But we haven’t had anything in our life that’s stood out since,” he said. “They’ve been watching YouTube for the last 10 years now. We’re just seeing where people don’t have that ambition to rescue, to be life-savers in their community anymore, unfortunately.”
In spite of those challenges, there are still those who are interested in serving others, putting out fires and rescuing those in their darkest hour of need. Probationary firefighter Colby Smith — whose father, Jeremy Smith, resides as the Chief of the Daviess County Fire Department — was a volunteer firefighter in Whitesville for four years and currently works as a first responder for AMR Ambulance.
“When I was a little boy, I always dreamed of being a firefighter like a lot of little kids,” he said. “Once I got on at Whitesville I decided it was something I wanted to do full-time, once I got a feel for it.”
Though firefighting often involves a lot of mentally tough circumstances, going back to the station with what all four newcomers described as a “family” atmosphere is what helps pull them through those difficult times.
Plus, the working hours — 24 on, 48 off — make it possible for firefighters to have a separate part-time job, spend time with their families and avoid the typical 9-5 office environment. Part of what makes the job so interesting is the ever-changing environment, they said.
Though it helps those interested in applying to have experience as a volunteer firefighter or an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), there is still a place for those who, like Smith, dreamed of becoming a firefighter when they grew up, even if they lack the experience.
“I would say, ‘Don’t give up.’ It’s a long process,” said probationary firefighter Matt Statdfield. “Our group right here started last March. You have to really want it.”
Those interested in applying for an entry level firefighting position can go to the City of Owensboro’s website for more information.
