Moving On From The Front Line – Opportunities for Firefighters After a Career in Public Safety

As citizens, we feel safest knowing that our heroes in the big red truck are out there saving the day and putting their lives on the line. This is a noble act and not many are willing to walk the path, and in truth, very few appreciate what our firefighters go through and what it means when they reach the end of the career line and need to retire.

So what options does this create for firefighters when it comes time to retire? According to ‘firerescue1’ “Retirement from a life-long career can be a stressful event, regardless of the field. Research shows that retirement from a career in public safety can be more stressful than retirement from the civilian workforce.”

Fire fighting in many ways can be a young person’s game, with required peak fitness, a constant mental drive, desensitisation to violence & high stress situations and a clean bill of health. The truth is humans were not designed for prolonged years of high level stress, violence and physical exertion. This prolonged exposure can lead to PTSD, physical trauma and chronic physical occupational injuries. Often Firefighters can be forced into early retirement or can struggle to find new opportunities for work after many years in the life.

One option is to get a professional CV together and get it out there, Seek is still probably the best option if you want to work for someone and there is a range of skill sets and requirements being advertised. These range from Fire Safety Engineers, Technicians, Trainers and Admin assistants. Although, it may be difficult for some to do the 9-5 routine as well as having a boss that constantly monitors your performance.

Another option is to run your own business. It may involve some risk, that is forking out for a franchise which would include a van and equipment but on the positive side you get a heap of support including both business and marketing.

A Jim’s Fire Safety franchise offers ex firefighters the ability to stay within the fire safety industry. Jim’s Fire Safety franchisees receive top of the line working knowledge of the latest safety equipment, equipment testing methods and Fire Safety protocols. Jim’s Fire Safety are recognised by the Fire Protection Association of Australia under the fire protection accredited scheme (FPAS). This makes the transition from firefighter much easier as the fire safety knowledge and training are transferable.

Jim’s provides training, marketing support and all that is required to make a successful franchisee. But the business may not be for everyone, you have to be ok with working on your own, promoting your business and following the Jim’s Fire Safety business guidelines, which are tried and trusted for success. A big ingredient is that Jim’s look for team players, fitting in to the culture and mateship plays a big role.

An average income for a Jim’s Fire Safety Franchisee is around $100K , and of course there are the top performers who can make up to $20k plus a month.  What is not to be underestimated is the benefit of a work life balance, which is priceless.

If you want an opportunity to work for yourself, or looking towards retirement we totally recommend a chat with your local Jim’s Fire Safety franchisor.  A conversation is is a great way to get an understanding of the opportunity and asses whether it is worth delving into.

Jim’s Fire Safety is a successful division of the international Jim’s Group brand. Their specialised fire protection services are unparalleled and their franchise structure is being replicated by many other Jim’s Group divisions.  They are committed to supporting valuable franchisees and recruiting talented individuals who are passionate about safety.

More than 2, 700 Franchisees (in over 40 different divisions) are running successful independent businesses around the world. You can join a supportive Jim’s division in which you will have the tools and advice necessary to join the ranks of thousands of successful Jim’s Group franchisees. Your success story starts here.