I saw the movie Backdraft as a kid, and it scarred me for life. I was a pretty emotional and frankly scared boy, and it has taken a lot of years of swallowing my emotions and putting on a mean face to convince myself I’m not still that tender and frightened little ginger. But I knew then just as clearly as I know now that I am not cut out for such harrowing work. I am not an adrenaline junky, I do not like blood or guts, and I’m certain the firesuit would spark my claustrophobia. Oh, and I have no desire to run into a burning building.

What I am, though, is incredibly grateful for people who are willing and able to be those everyday heroes. My friend Carson Niederhauser is one of those people. He gets excited about intubating people, wrapping mangled limbs, and putting his life on the line to put out fires. I had no idea that the competition to land firefighting jobs was as intense as it is, nor did I expect to be as moved in this conversation as I was. Firefighters deal with intense situations fueled by massive adrenaline dumps, and then they have to process those events when they quietly go home to their families. In reality, some don’t get the chance to do so. 

Take a listen, thank a firefighter, and let us know what you think of Carson’s story!

#podcast #dontassume #firefighters #fire