[Fire Defense Equipment Officer] My First Site! The Reality of Being 'Heavier Than a Fire Extinguisher' That Made Me Tremble
Last time, I talked about how I managed to get picked up by a god-tier company despite being in the desperate situation of having no license and no experience.
This time, I am bringing you a report on my long-awaited first site.
"I've got the qualification, so I just need to check where the fire extinguishers are, right?"
That naive thought was blown away within 10 minutes of starting.
1. The 'Baptism of the Field' Awaiting Beginners
The first thing that surprised me when I arrived at the site was the sense of speed.
The inspection work hours are strictly set from when to when, and the site is always a race against time.
The Intimidation of the Receiver: Handling the "receiver" in the management room. I was nervous. I didn't understand it at all, but I had no choice but to move as instructed.
The Otsu-6 textbook doesn't cover handling receivers, so it was a completely new experience for me.
The Reality of Being 'Left Alone': If you're lucky and the site is relaxed, you'll be taught carefully, but at busy sites, beginners might be left to their own devices. Everyone is desperate to finish their own assigned tasks.
2. The 'Harsh Underbelly' Not Found in Textbooks
After actually going out to the field, there are a few points where I felt, "This requires mental preparation.".
Restroom Environment: This is something every woman would be concerned about. Not having a restroom at the site is a daily occurrence. It's standard to borrow restrooms at convenience stores or parks. Days when you can borrow the manager's office restroom are lucky days!
The Fear of Working at Heights: On the roof of an apartment building, working in places without railings or climbing ladders. It's surprisingly tough and dangerous. If you have a fear of heights, I strongly recommend telling them honestly in advance.
The Wall of Transceivers: This is surprisingly difficult! "While working," "with noisy audio," "multiple pieces of information flying around" communicating in the middle of all that. It was particularly high-difficulty for me, as I am a visual learner. Stealing and imitating how the seniors speak is the best shortcut.
Finding fire extinguishers is like a 'treasure hunt': We all search for fire extinguishers that have been left carelessly or buried under luggage. The panic when you can't find them is extraordinary.
Physical Weight: Sometimes, there are huge wheeled fire extinguishers. Honestly, moving those alone was impossible...
3. Reasons Why I Still Feel It's a 'Good Job'
There are many difficult things, but there are charms that make me think, "I'm glad I chose this job!".
The Magic of 'Leaving Early': If the inspection finishes earlier than planned, we just disperse! Sometimes I can go home at 2 PM, but I still get paid for a full day's work. This efficiency is something you can't experience in hourly part-time jobs.
A Surprisingly 'Kind World': I had a scary image of field work being "learn by watching my back," but everyone around me was calm and kind. I might be left alone when they are busy, but basically, they taught me carefully.
The Appeal of High Hourly Wages: Due to qualification allowances and the special nature of the site, the hourly wage is far higher than typical part-time jobs.
(I do think it's a job that requires a sense of tension, though.)
4. The 'Waiting Time' That Divides Opinions
Depending on the situation, there can be a waiting time of about 3 hours between sites.
This time is free, so I make full use of my mobile battery to play on my phone or take a slow break.
I'm happy that the actual working hours are reduced, but for people who think, "I just want to go home early and do housework!" it might be a bit of a painful time.
Next time, I think I'll step away from the topic of fire defense equipment officers and talk about child-rearing!
It will be a completely different genre from what I've written before, but if you are interested, please take a look.
Thank you for reading until the end!