Opportunity Vs. Opportunity Cost

It seems most profound thought processes occur in one of two places, for me anyway. On the toilet or while having a meaningful conversation with a friend. Preferably, we share the ones we’ve had with friends. But the other, I’m sure, can also be meaningful, we may just not share it. (Had to get that off my chest).

Well, I recently had a meaningful conversation, with a friend. The conversation revolved around the opportunities presented to us. We’ve both had very similar interests and crossed paths at one point in time. The crossing was short-lived, but impactful. Our conversation on this day revolved around our career choice. Since you also share in this career, I think it would be of benefit to share.

I believe many of us have started in this career with the expectation of excitement and the impact we would have on our communities. Most, if not all, have definitely had an impact on your community. If you’re reading this, you had an impact on my life. Many of us during our career, will most definitely come across opportunities. That may be in the form of a promotion, a job offer or even the opportunity to be mentored. However, I have also seen many take a step back and decide for safety and security. This, found in the form of stable income, a current job or staying in your comfort zone. Now, there is no correct answer here and this is strictly my personal opinion. But I would like to challenge you to seek out your greatness.

In the corporate world we hear of “climbing the corporate ladder.” Now, I don’t think this is a bad thing, necessarily. But we know 2 things with the statement. 1) A ladder exists. 2) You must climb, to the next goal. Even though the Fire/EMS/first responder career may not initially be categorized as “corporate” in nature, I do think we can climb. How high you climb is completely up to you and which floor you decide to get off on, is also completely dependent on you. I personally “climbed” and I’d like to share what that path was like.

When coming into my fire career, everything was new and exciting. I initially thought fire was going to be my passion. The work, the heat, the excitement and exhilaration of fires was everything I had been seeking. But as the days turn into months and the fires became less exciting, I had to find a way to enjoy the every day tasks. Mostly, how to find excitement in EMS. Thus, my passion for learning and patient care was born. As an EMT I would see the paramedics and knew their schooling was meaningful. As the years passed, I also noticed the lack of care and motivation from most of them. I came to the point of realizing, the only way to improve patient care was to put in the work, go to paramedic school and BE the paramedic I wasn’t seeing in the field.

I would say that was my first rung to climb. This is that comfort zone that I also had to get out of. It seemed I could do almost everything as an EMT-I, but I knew I was missing something. Had I not gone to paramedic school, there’s no way I’d be where I am now. It has truly opened doors and opportunities I had no idea even existed.

As I found my department of choice and enjoyed the ambulance life, I took the route of an EMS supervisor. This, I would say, was my next rung. I made the climb expecting to provide value and even more advanced care to my community. I had recently taken my second advanced paramedic course and received my FP-C certification shortly before this promotion. However, this next step was nothing as I expected. I realized how unhappy and lonely I was. The work was not at all what I wanted to be doing and I missed patient care tremendously. Interactions with friends, conversations in the truck, conversations with patients or those had at the hospital were what made my job meaningful and impactful. Lacking those, I immediately knew the “promotion” was not worth my happiness. After a 3-month stint, I resigned the position and returned by ambulance. Running the “olds” in my district, happy as can be!

This is where I challenge you. There are many paths when it comes to fire, EMS or first responders. There are many expectations on us, both external and internal. Maybe you think a specific path is necessary. Truth is, you may not know whether it is or isn’t, unless you take the leap. We live a short life full of “what-ifs” and some with regrets. But taking a step forward doesn’t mean you can’t take a step back. Climbing a rung, sometimes means obtaining clarity and realizing where you need to be. Other times, you keep climbing and realize, it’s the climb that makes you happiest. Whatever that is, go for it! I believe in you! I also know doing so, has taken me and my family on a whirlwind adventure that I wouldn’t change for the world. I know you’ll experience a similar adventure. If you’re ever needing that extra push, feel free to reach out.

Your challenge? Only you know where that lies! Take the steps, climb the rung and join the journey.

-Dave