It is ironic that many of the calls that firefighters go on deal with people that use one or multiple government assistance type of program. Too many firefighters assume that since they finally got their dream job that they do not need to worry about securing their own future. This article will spell just a couple of areas that are usually overlooked by firefighters and need to be addressed.

Firefighters need to begin watch out for their own self. I do not mean they need to look to burn their fellow fire brothers and sisters. But in today’s litigation happy society, and with the rest of the private sector hurting, firefighters are in everyone’s crosshairs.

Now, what I mean by firefighters watching out for themselves has more to do with making sure all of their ducks are in a row, so to speak. The first thing is to have enough life insurance. The reason should be obvious, however many firefighters think that whatever their department offers is enough, and that is not the case. If you are single with no dependents, then you will not need as much. However many firefighters are married, or at least have children. So they need to make sure that they have enough to help out their loved ones. In today’s economy, anything less than $500,000 is not enough, and I believe that that would be low. But it can be a start.

Along the same lines of insurance is accidental insurance. Firefighters, for the most part, are adrenaline junkies. Why else would they run into a burning building. Even those that are not, most enjoy being apart of a camaraderie and will play softball or basketball or something along those lines. There firefighters olympics almost year round for crying out loud! So having some sort of insurance that will protect your income if something happens outside of work is a necessity. As far as which one to get will again, depend on your circumstances. Generally if you ask around your department, someone will be able to have a recommendation.

WORK OUT WORK OUT WORK OUT! Many firefighters get lulled into sitting in the recliners, tired from whatever excuse they can come up with. Bottom line is that this is a physically (and mentally) demanding job. Firefighters need to continue some sort of exercise regimen to maintain their health, so they don’t have to use the above insurances, and enjoy their retirement.

The last basic thing is to live off of your base salary. Some firefighters may not know what I am talking about. But since many departments are not hiring right now, the overtime is pouring in, and firefighters are coming to expect it. This is dangerous since they can get overextended and once that overtime goes away, firefighters will be in some financial trouble. Watch your expenses, and put you overtime in your savings or back in your retirement.