Want to become a firefighter

[raweater]

I had taken a one year class in programming and during that time made a computer program I sold online which made me enough money to not need a "real" job. A few years later, I finally found the Crohn's disease I got in my last year of high school was due to poor diet (and I did eat unbelievably toxic food at the time I had this "incurable disease") and could be cured simply by eating well, and since the years I have eaten well I am completely cured of this so called "incurable disease of unknown cause" as the doctors told me.

This event changed my life and gave me this urge to help people as I quickly realized millions of people are suffering and dying for the profit of a corrupt "health care" system, I help people in this area freely of course, but this is one of many reasons I want to become a firefighter, as I would have a job where I'd honestly help people (unlike the health care system).

For over a year I have been thinking of becoming a firefighter and am now pretty much sure. I don't want a desk/9-5 type job as I am very active and need to move, just tonight I was at my aunt's for her birthday and we sat for about 4 hours, I was getting stressed (I'm normaly never stressed unless I take caffeine, which is pretty much never because it stresses me) and was about to explode lol. Once we got up I went up and down the stairs endlessly to spend some energy (did I say I had eaten 1250 calories of raw chocolate cake in just a few minutes?), so I can't imagine how I'd sit at a chair all day in an office doing programming, which I really can't say I enjoy doing most of the time. This is just one of many reasons I want to become a firefighter, even though it pays less, what's important to me most of all is to like your job, not how much it pays, saving lives is worth more than money and I'd really feel like I'm doing something better of my life than sitting an an office being miserable and waiting to explode to release some energy.

I really can't say any other jobs interest me so I'm really quite sure now, but I did miss the sign up date for the courses this year so it will have to wait for next year.

I also think my raw diet wouldn't be much of a problem with this job, I've asked firefighters and they said I'd simply not be eating the same as the others, and I could bring pre made meals or make them at the fire house.

I just wanted to share this and know if anyone has any comments.

[Eva]

Wow, sounds great. I'm sure you're super strong, and all the reasons you have sound spot on. :)

(Re: the cacao -- it personally stresses me much the same as coffee in large quantities. Could be related to your need to get out the energy, although I would guess that was just an example and you have that all the time from working out and being in such top shape)

[raweater]

Wow, sounds great. I'm sure you're super strong, and all the reasons you have sound spot on. :)

(Re: the cacao -- it personally stresses me much the same as coffee in large quantities. Could be related to your need to get out the energy, although I would guess that was just an example and you have that all the time from working out and being in such top shape)
Actually, it could have been the large dose of [cooked] cacao, but I don't remember being stressed even after eating the whole cake (I had eaten half that time). Maybe it was the combination of caco, sugar fom the dates in the cake, and not moving combined that caused it.

I'm not quite as strong as I was a few years ago when I worked out while on the SAD, but I'm barely a hair away, in 1-2 months I will be the strongest I ever was, and about 75% raw this time.

[RawHeaven]

Hi Raweater, the passion you have for firefighting shines through. I think you should definately go for it. My dad was a volunteer firefighter and from what I remember his buddies were some of the most genuinely caring & nicest men I've ever known. There is a certain quality that is inherent in someone who wants to follow this path - I think it takes a special person and from what I read in your words you definately have these qualities. :)

When I had my motor vehicle accident it was the fire department paramedics that first arrived on the scene...I was conscious & in excruciating pain and I will never forget the two firemen that calmed me down and just really lovingly helped me -- that's really the only word that applies. I will never forget their help in that moment -- it is seared in my memory. I brought them some raw pies & treats a couple of years later when I was able to get around and they loved them.

As far as being a raw foodist, I think you will have a tremendous influence on the diets of your co-workers. Firefighters are generally very health conscious, preparing meals together etc. I'm definately seeing this for you ~ hey, it could spread nationwide and you may put out the first Firefighter's Raw Uncook Book if you're so inclined.

Best wishes with getting prepared and please let us know how it goes next year.

Thank you for sharing your dreams.

Crystal

[RawHeaven]

I forgot to say....I ate the first raw chocolate pie I made within a 7 hour period. A slice every hour...hahaha. It definately made me feel a bit wired a couple days later. It's a stimulant and I try to eat it in moderation now. Love the stuff though.

[raweater]

Raw Heaven, thanks for your replies and encouragement. I'm sorry to hear about your motor vehicle accident, I hope it didn't have any permanent effects on your health.

I will keep you up to date.

[shashibala]

Congratulations on getting closer to your true path! I love fire fighters!!

[RawHeaven]

Raw Heaven, thanks for your replies and encouragement. I'm sorry to hear about your motor vehicle accident, I hope it didn't have any permanent effects on your health.

I will keep you up to date.

Thank you Raweater. It did have a permanent effect in that it brought me to raw foods. Blessing in disguise. :) Good luck with everything.

[raweater]

Thank you Raweater. It did have a permanent effect in that it brought me to raw foods. Blessing in disguise. :) Good luck with everything.

I should have said I hope it didn't have any *negative* effects on your life!

Just like my Crohn's disease which also caused me excruciating pain brought me to raw foods, it's the best thing that ever happened in my life. I'm curious to know how a road accident brought you to raw food, but I'm glad it did!

It's sad that we often need near death experiences to better our lives. It's an incredible series of events that led me to become interested in firefighting, and had I not gotten Crohn's disease, I may never have considered it, I have no idea what my life would be like now without the blessing of getting that disease (but it does infuriate me that those relying on doctors are intentionally left to suffer and eventually die of the treatment, not the disease).

[RawHeaven]

I'm curious to know how a road accident brought you to raw food, but I'm glad it did!

Hey Raweater...cannot send you an email. Please feel free to send me an email and I will explain. I'm glad you healed yourself as well! Be well.

[raweater]

I thought of this the other day, many people actually think the raw diet is dangerous and unhealthy, so I think being a mostly raw (I'm around 75%) firefighter will show that it is healthy, as I will have to pass health tests which I of course will all pass. I should be a good example of how healthy eating raw is.

[rawstrength]

Raweater - It is beautiful that you want to share your abundant energy with the world by helping others. I wish you all the best as you pursue your dreams :) .

[plucked]

ooh, a year to train, that works out well for you. It sounds like you've already spoken to a few firefighters about food options, have you spoken to them about how best to use this year to gear up?

I had a friend that got into the fire dept by getting a hold of the physical test and trying to outdo herself on her time and repetitions. It paid off, she was the only woman to apply and she got the highest physical score out of everyone 'cause of her preparation. Her gym knew her goals and one thing she would do was darn the suit (to get used to the weight) and drag a bag the weight of a man in the alley behind the gym--its one of the drills you have to do. The dept she was applying for lent her the suit to train with.

Maybe you alone or with a trainer could put together a plan of action with the physical tests at hand?

I edited this 'cause I had another thought: since you're computer literate, have you thought about putting a website together or blog about your goal? I would love to see you progress towards your dream. I think you may have a following from other people wanting to go into that profession and perhaps be inspired by your path.

[raweater]

I've seen what the physical test is and am confident I'd pass it tomorrow morning, but I still want to improve my fitness anyway and to be the best and know what to work on. I know one of the tests is a 6 story stair climb with 75 lbs of added weight and I was able to do more than that with energy to spare (the test is one event after another with no or little rest in between).

Thanks

[shashibala]

That sounds intense! I'm sure you'll RAWK it!!!!
Best wishes!

[raweater]

It will probably be hard to get in though. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of people apply for one to get hired, so I want to give it all my best and be in even better shape than I am now and take as many courses as possible to increase my chances. If I manage to be one of the best in the physical test it should be great to increase my chances of getting hired and also to show the power of raw food, maybe others will say "He got a better score and eats raw food, maybe I should give it a try".

I also found someone from high school on facebook who already went through the courses and is now a part time firefighter and has been applying for 2 years so far to try and get in full time. I at least hope I can manage to get it part time as a start, and I expect it to take years to get full time.

Thanks

[plucked]

yeah, whatever it takes to bring up your score in different areas. Do they interview you as well? If so, it would be a perfect place to plug your skills. If you dont already have them, you could start collecting certifications in related fields--something that would make you an asset and bring up your interview score: CPR certification, high ropes (?) rescue cert., rigging, volunteer with Mountain Rescue Assoc.Invest in some private courses even if they train you in the fire dept on these things.

(I've thought about all this as I at one point wanted to do this work)

[raweater]

plucked: Thanks for the tips. I'm curious to know what made you change your mind about doing this?

[plucked]

I was discouraged by physics: I'm a small woman and I was also a lot less in shape at the time--about ten years ago. I'm also pretty shy and couldn't plunge headlong into things. Still working on that one!

Still, firefighters and their ilk feel like family to me. Perhaps Im cut from the same cloth but a bit less material went into making me. ;)

[Cinnamon]

It sure sounds like you've found a very important new phase of your life, congratulations to you!

I've been a volunteer for our local fire department a number of years ago. When I was going to EMT school I volunteered in the main office, it really helped me learn all aspects of what goes on in a fire station. I really enjoyed it and made some great long term friends too!

I did decide not to pursue this even as a volunteer, at my age (and being a small female and not very strong although I exercise ALL the time!) the male dominated profession was not overly kind to me in my interest to enter the firefighting part of the training. I certainly understood and decided it just wasn't my thing, physically.

But like I said I have made some wonderful friends through the department and admire everyone in this profession tremendously! I'd just suggest doing lots of training and if you can do some volunteer work with a local department or get into EMT training as soon as you can (usually departments require both fire fighting and EMT training at least in our area). Also, most of the fire fighters in our area got on full time only after putting in some volunteer time, it can really make a difference on your resume if you are interested in doing that.

My best wishes to you!!