What Makes Retirement from the Fire Service Different?

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operation Chief

Leave it to my fire service colleague, Kory Pearn, to answer that question in a big way! In addition to being a Captian with the St. Thomas, Ontario Fire Department–23 years and still going–Kory is the founder and publisher of CRACKYL Magazine, a huge supporter of FSPA.

In his latest article, The 30 Years Inside the 80, Kory gives a whole new perspective to fire service retirement; it’s a perspective that many fire service retirees find themselves grappling with, and one that many active-duty firefighters and officers have not considered. For our FSPA psychologists and masters-level clinicians I think it’s a valuable piece that can provide some powerful insight into the mindset of both populations.

A 30-year fire service career sounds like a long time. It is. But here is what we rarely say out loud: it accounts for roughly 1,500 weeks of a life that, if you’re lucky, runs to about 4,000.

Thirty years of calls. Thirty years of alarms, missed holidays, broken sleep, station meals, crew changes, hard lessons, and moments that are almost impossible to explain to people outside the job. For volunteers, the number may look different, but the weight can still be the same — decades of pagers, training nights, fundraisers, community events, and leaving the dinner table when everyone else gets to stay seated.

Years of service become more than years after a while. They become part of who you are. They shape how you see the world, read a room, handle stress, carry grief, and measure your own value. The job gets into your body. It gets into your relationships, parenting, and sleep, and the way you talk, think, protect yourself, and show up for others.

Consider what that actually means. When someone dials 911, they don’t get to choose who walks through the door. They just trust. A complete stranger, on the worst night of their life, is handed over to you before you even arrive. Most people will go their entire lives without ever being trusted like that. Not once.–Kory Pearn

Several years ago, I wrote a piece for FireRescue1.com, 7 truths about fire service retirement. It was one of the most viewed articles I’ve ever had the privilege of having published, and one of the most viewed posts on FireRescue when it was originally posted (My Editor, the fabulous Janelle Foskett, considers it an “evergreen article” meaning it will likely not go out of vogue anytime soom, especially since she reposted it in February 2025).

“When that retirement date comes and goes, it might seem like a divorce. Suddenly, that second family will be nowhere to be found. Getting into the fire service was easy compared to what it was like to leave it.”

“The only other careers that parallel that of the fire service – that strong sense of camaraderie, daily exposure to the unknown, and retirement at an early age – are found in law enforcement and the military.

Retirement from the fire service isn’t just about leaving a job — it’s about transitioning into an entirely new way of life. The shift from a structured, high-intensity career to a more self-directed routine can be overwhelming, making early preparation essential. Financial stability, mental well-being, and a strong support system are important to a smooth and fulfilling retirement. By proactively planning for this next chapter firefighters can set themselves up for a future that maintains their sense of purpose, connection and overall well-being.”–Robert Avsec, 7 Truths About Fire Service Retirement

See if some or all of this resonates with those of you who are retired fire service members or if you’re a clinician who’s worked with a retired firefighter or officer. I’d be interested to hear your experiences.