John Rose of Oak Bluffs Salutes Volunteer Firefighters
Firefighters in big cities receive a lot of praise and thanks, as you can see in media and pop culture – and deservedly so. However, according to John Rose of Oak Bluffs, there are thousands of volunteer firefighters in lesser-known places in the United States who deserve their flowers as well.
The work that volunteer firefighters do is often not straightforward. Many of their duties can be very physically and mentally taxing. Most of the time, they work long hours and seemingly endless nights.
While they can receive payment for their services when you consider the fact that most are employed full-time, a vast majority of volunteer firefighters don’t charge, which shows that they are doing it more out of a sense of love for their fellowmen more than anything else, says John Rose from Oak Bluffs.
Beyond that, volunteer firefighters often have to buy or supply their equipment, too. Of course, this depends on the location where they live, though, since some areas may already provide them with what’s needed.
The challenges of volunteer firefighters
Like official firefighters, volunteers face so many hardships in the course of their jobs. Because of this, the number of volunteer firefighters across the country has gone down, putting more pressure on active volunteers.
To illustrate the point further, John Rose from Oak Bluffs mentions the “Pareto Principle,” otherwise known as the “80-20 rule,” as one of the leading causes of the emotional, mental, and physical burden among active firefighters.
The Pareto Principle states that 80 percent of the work is toiled on by only 20 percent of the volunteers. It has also been observed that volunteer burnout is significantly connected to emotional demands from the firefighters’ work and home life. In light of this, John Rose of Oak Bluffs points out that organizations that help out firefighters have looked into ways to help volunteers.
Volunteer firefighters are also constantly involved in a juggling act of sorts. They grapple with their priorities as well as the boundaries between their commitment to their job and family. The ideal scenario is that volunteer firefighters put their homes and families first before their jobs to avoid any negative feelings, such as resentment toward their departments and what they do.
Families and loved ones of volunteer firefighters should be as supportive as they can be, especially when these firefighters have to do their jobs.
On a final note, John Rose of Oak Bluffs reassures volunteer firefighters that it’s completely fine for them to take a step back and relax every once in a while. After all, they’ve more than earned their time with the people they love and the things they enjoy.
John Rose, Oak Bluffs resident, excelled as a multi-sport athlete in high school, notably leading the golf team as captain. He now serves as the Chief of the Oak Bluffs Fire Department, with certifications including Fire Prevention Officer and Fire Officer 1. John’s commitment to public safety is unwavering, and he strives to impact the lives of residents positively. In his free time, he enjoys golf, fishing, hiking, skiing, and bike riding, embracing both community dedication and an adventurous spirit. For more of his insights, click this link.