Many little boys want to be firemen when they grow up, just as many women grow up to want to date firemen. There’s something about this occupation – whether it’s the danger, the uniform, the service or the heroism associated with it – that women often find very attractive. What they may not realize, however, is that while dating a firefighter might be hot, it’s not always easy.
Understand a fireman’s job
The most important thing you need to understand about dating a fireman is that his job is not of the typical nine to five variety. Firefighters often live at the firehouse for several days at a time when they’re on duty. This may mean that communication is slim to none during that time. Rules vary from department to department about both sending and receiving phone calls and text messages while on duty, so find out when the best time to call is and try to stick with that. You can also find out if your foxy firefighter is allowed to have visitors and stop by during those hours. You should do your very best to keep personal contact to a minimum when the firefighter you’re dating is on duty, since he’s being paid to be a public servant and not your boyfriend
Be flexible with your dates
Even when they’re not on duty, firefighters may be on call or otherwise keep up with department activities via a pager or scanner. This shows an admirable commitment to service, so try not to be resentful. Be flexible and keep in mind that fires don’t happen just when your boyfriend is scheduled to work, so he may need to leave in the middle of a pre-arranged activity either because he’s on call or because he feels an obligation to assist with the matter.
Know the fireman’s friends
You will probably have more sympathy for your fireman’s commitment to the job and sense of obligation if you make the effort to get to know his friends in the firehouse. Because firefighting is such a hazardous job, people have to have a strong sense of trust when they put their lives in other people’s hands in dangerous situations. A deep sense of camaraderie often therefore develops among these men. If you can show your firefighter honey that you understand the importance of his on-the-job friendships and aren’t jealous of them, then you’ll likely develop a stronger relationship.
Support the fireman in tough times
Also keep in mind that although there may appear to be a lot of downtime at the firehouse, firefighting is an incredibly stressful and highly dangerous job; in fact, it is the third most hazardous job in the United States. If the fireman you’re dating has been through a particularly traumatic event – say, failing to save someone or being injured on the job – it’s not necessarily going to be possible for him to leave that stress at the firehouse when he’s not on duty. Even the regular day-to-day job duties can be stressful. Pay attention to changes in behavior, and try to be sympathetic and attentive to the stress level your partner is under.
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