Sourced from The Occupation Thesaurus
OVERVIEW
A firefighter is a rescuer who extinguishes and prevents fires that threaten life, property, and the environment. They also respond to car accidents, chemical spills, natural disasters, and engage in water rescues. Many firefighters are certified EMTs, administering first aid until paramedics arrive. They complete inspections, educate the public on preventing fires, and conduct investigations, particularly if arson is suspected. When they’re not responding to an emergency, they work on call at a fire station, maintaining vehicles and tools, staying physically fit, conducting drills, and keeping up to date with industry changes. Because shifts can last 24-48 hours, they often eat and sleep at the station.
NECESSARY TRAINING
Firefighters need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some choose to complete a two-year degree in fire science, but it is not always a requirement. They receive training at a fire academy, where they must be interviewed and pass written, physical, and psychological tests.
USEFUL SKILLS, TALENTS, OR ABILITIES
Basic first aid, empathy, enhanced hearing, enhanced sense of smell, equanimity, high pain tolerance, knowledge of explosives, stamina, strength, strong breath control, swift-footedness
HELPFUL CHARACTER TRAITS
Adventurous, alert, analytical, bold, calm, cautious, compulsive, confident, confrontational, cooperative, courageous, decisive, disciplined, efficient, fanatical, focused, fussy, humorless, intelligent, objective, observant, persistent, protective, pushy, resourceful, responsible, sensible, unselfish
SOURCES OF FRICTION
Sustaining an injury due to someone’s incompetence (a firefighter, volunteer, reckless member of the public, etc.)
A fellow firefighter dying in a fire
Strained personal relationships due to the inherent danger of the work
A challenging fire investigation
An accusation of misconduct or poor decision-making by higher ups who were not on scene
Long and unusual working hours, including 24-hour shifts, holidays, and weekends
Living in the firehouse with people who have clashing personalities
Private firefighting companies competing with traditional firefighters for jobs
Showing fear in front of other firefighters
Managing post-traumatic stress
Repeated exposure to trauma
The physical demands of carrying heavy gear or working in extreme temperatures
The weight of responsibility as a rescuer
Having to fight for government funding year after year
Losing someone in a fire and feeling responsible
PEOPLE THEY MIGHT INTERACT WITH
The fire chief, other firefighters (paid and volunteer), members of the public, police officers, paramedics, fire inspectors, fire investigators, public servants, reporters, psychologists, search and rescue training specialists
HOW THIS OCCUPATION MIGHT IMPACT THE CHARACTER’S NEEDS
Self-Actualization: In high-intensity situations, firefighters might struggle to problem solve. They may be faced with difficult moral decisions, such as saving one person over another. The lack of control in some situations may be hard to square with, especially if a firefighter is highly empathetic, and leave them wondering if this is the career for them.
Esteem and Recognition: Lives may be lost while a firefighter is on the job, resulting in guilt, shame, and possibly post-traumatic stress, all of which may lower self-worth.
Safety and Security: Firefighters work near traffic accidents, buildings with compromised structures, swift-moving water, and active fires, making this is an extremely dangerous profession.
Physiological Needs: Firefighters place their lives on the line in many of the situations they face, so this is a need that is definitely threatened on the job.
TWISTING THE FICTIONAL STEREOTYPE
Firefighters do more than serve the federal or local municipalities; they also work at ports, airports, for the armed services, and for chemical, nuclear, and gas and oil industries. Why not switch up your character’s workplace to bring a fresh twist to the page?
Firefighting is an overwhelmingly male occupation. Consider crafting a female character who can meet the demanding physical, emotional, and mental requirements of the job.
The public inherently trusts firefighters. You could keep this in mind and craft a character that defies stereotypes and surprises the reader.
CHARACTERS MIGHT CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION BECAUSE THEY…
Grew up with a family member in the same profession
Want to make up for a perceived past mistake where they failed to rescue someone
Desire to serve the public in a meaningful way
View camaraderie with other firefighters as a substitute for family
Are drawn to exciting activities and want a job that keeps them active
Want to channel their adrenaline-junkie tendencies into a healthy outlet
Are fascinated with fire
The Occupation Thesaurus has 124 different job profiles like the one above, giving you a range of diverse, contemporary options for your characters along with a deep dive into this important (and yet often under-utilized) area of characterization. Get ready to unlock the storytelling power of occupations!
Reviews from Goodreads
“The Occupation Thesaurus is yet another priceless author resource released in this series…”
“[Angela & Becca’s books] have helped me throughout my successful children’s writing career and when I made the jump to Indie and Romance. This one, The Occupation Thesaurus has to be one of my faves…”
“I’m a retired therapist and I’ve never realized until I read this book that a person’s job, even an insignificant one, carried so much weight in a story and that readers subliminally pick up on it…”
“Angela and Becca go into great detail on the many, many professions presented in this book. Each entry is incredibly well thought out and well researched…”
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Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.
I am excited to get this book. I have most, if not all the others and also a membership to WHW – I just have to remember they are to help me with my writing not as an end in themselves!
Yes, definitely these books and One Stop for Writers are all just tools, and the hard work of writing in on the writer. BUT, tools make it a lot easier, and if it’s easy for a person to fall out of the writing flow when they get stumped, having brainstorming right there at your fingertips can mean the difference between staring at the screen until the writing session is up, or getting the words down. So whether it’s our guides and sites, or another’s, I’m a big fan of having a good toolkit! 🙂
Wow! This is fantastic. Just the area I’ve been struggling with for my main character. Just ordered and can’t wait to dive in! Congrats!
I’ve literally marked my calendar for your book release! Thanks for the great resources!
So looking forward to this next book to add to collection–I have them all–and wouldn’t miss the opportunity to acquire this one. I just read about your experience with a certain e-tailer 🙁 Oh my word. I hope they apologized and somehow made things right by you, but something tells me, perhaps not. Just know you have a loyal following among my writer’s circle!!!
It would be awesome if at some point you were able to add entries for Dukes/Lords and other Royal positions as well as other fantasy or other historical positions. Sort of like how you added the speculative locations to the setting Thesauruses.
Can’t wait! Good luck. And congrats to both of you!
Thank you, Traci! <3
Cannot wait for this release. Currently have the rest of your books and excited to add this one to the collection. They are used often!
Thank you for the support, Mary! We hope you find it just as helpful as all the other volumes. <3