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Firefighting is not a nine-to-five kind of job. Firefighters typically work in 24-hour shifts—with two days off in between—although shift days can be swapped, leading to varying numbers of consecutive days off. Regardless, this type of schedule leaves the average firefighter with around 20 days a month when they are not on duty.
If you are a firefighter, you may be wondering how to productively use your time off. If you could use the extra money—and who can’t?—or simply want to get out in your community more, many part-time job options could fit into your schedule.
Having multiple jobs with a large degree of autonomy has often been referred to as being part of the gig economy. Gigs are perfect for a firefighter. You can work on projects of shorter duration, or longer flexible jobs, making them easy to squeeze in while off duty. If you’re a full-time firefighter, you can enjoy many of the benefits of the gig economy and still have traditional benefits like health care.
If you’re a firefighter considering part-time work on your off-duty days, here are a few benefits of the gig economy to keep in mind…
Part-time work is a great way to dip your toe into a new field. If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at home repair or landscaping, for example, a part-time gig could be your chance—and you get paid for it. Odds are you know some colleagues already working these jobs on the side!
Working part-time allows you to set your schedule. While your firefighting schedule may be set, you can use your off days how you like. You can take days off from your gig work to spend time with family, attend events with friends, or improve at a hobby without a hassle.
If your time away from the fire station seems to drag on and you could use extra funds, taking on part-time work is an excellent way to grow your savings. And because the income you earn from gigs will feel like “extra” cash, you’ll be less inclined to spend it right away.
Firefighters undergo intense training to ensure they are ready for the physical and emotional stresses of putting out fires and responding to medical emergencies. This training can be beneficial in plenty of other situations. If you’re a firefighter, you have many transferable skills that could make you an asset in the community, even when you aren’t on duty.
Firefighter gear is heavy—it can weigh from around 45 to 75 pounds and up from that, depending on the equipment needed. While on rescue duty, you may also need to lift debris, break through a wall, carry people out, or perform any number of other arduous tasks.
For older adults, busy parents, or anyone struggling with injuries, lifting heavy items could be a major struggle. Tasks that may be very hard for them to complete could be done with ease by an off-duty firefighter.
Fires can happen in buildings of all sizes and firefighters need to be prepared to handle heights, even when leaning against precarious structures. This ease with heights can be useful in many other applications like working on roofs or up in tall trees, for example.
Most firefighters in the United States are certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs). This trains you to give first aid care to people injured in a fire or other incident.
Knowing first aid and CPR can be potentially helpful in any job since medical emergencies can happen anywhere. However, this knowledge is especially helpful on-site where accidents are more likely to occur, such as during home improvement or moves.
Many part-time jobs can make use of firefighters’ in-demand skills. Below we’ve listed a handful of the most requested jobs on Hidrent for you to consider trying on your days off. These are all short-term projects that can be completed within a day.
Furniture often requires a fair amount of strength to assemble and relocate. Since you’re used to maintaining complicated gear and equipment, you’re likely better at figuring out complicated directions than the average person. And you’re likely a lot more able to lift and carry furniture than your average homeowner, too.=
Hauling heavy objects—whether it be debris removal, junked furniture, or even band equipment into a van—can be a great part-time job for firefighters. Lifting bags of mulch or paving bricks shouldn’t be problematic for you either. Bonus: With enough of this work, you can stay in shape without necessarily hitting the gym.
Any activity that requires getting on or near a roof could be intimidating to the average homeowner—but not for the average firefighter. This makes gutter cleaning a natural gig for off-duty firefighters.
There are other services you could offer involving the roof of a home. Some other roof tasks besides gutter cleaning include, among many others:
Help a homeowner or business stay safe from fire by replacing their smoke detectors, especially when high up on vaulted ceilings. This frequently requested service can make a big difference in your community—and can hopefully result in fewer calls at your station.
Your comfort on a ladder makes hanging holiday lights a breeze. While you’re at it, you could help the neighborhood sparkle by improving curb appeal. Some homeowners are willing to compensate quite well for elaborate displays.
Many gigs are available to take on your days off to help your community and increase your financial stability, and we can help you find them.
When you use Hidrent, you can optimize your time off by working on gigs for neighbors in your community. Hidrent connects off-duty firefighters in search of work with homeowners and businesses in need of help with tasks via a simple-to-use app. It is free to sign up, and you can choose the days you work.
To get started, download the Hidrent Pro app today for iOS or Android.
*If you’re a homeowner or business owner reading this and you want to post jobs for Hidrent-affiliated firefighters, please visit http://www.hidrent.com.