A Day in The Life of a Firefighter

BY: BRADY STUDNICKA, LINCOLN FIREFIGHTER

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to be a firefighter? We caught up with local firefighter Brady Studnicka to find out. The job is full of excitement and surprises as you might’ve imagined! Each morning starts with a team meeting at the station. Brady and his crew go over important updates and get ready for whatever might come their way that day.

In Lincoln, firefighters work 24-hour shifts, which means they’re always on call, day or night. Whether it’s helping someone in an emergency or responding to a fire, they always have to be ready.

While putting out fires is definitely one of the coolest parts of the job, Brady says his favorite part is something bigger:

“Being able to help people in their times of need while working as a team with my crew.”

Not Your Average Day

If you think every firefighter call is about fires, think again! Some calls are downright unexpected, and can even be a little funny. Brady shared one memorable moment when his team had to rescue not one—but two—big dogs from a roof! The pups had escaped through an upstairs window and ended up stuck way up high. Brady and his crew were there to help bring them back down to safety.

Life at the Station

When firefighters are not out on a call, they keep busy at the station. Everyone works together to keep things running smoothly. Cooking meals, cleaning up, staying active, and training all takes place on a typical day. Firefighters practice all the time so they can be ready for anything. Before Brady became a firefighter, he had to complete six months of intense training at a fire academy. Even now, he’s always learning new skills!

One of the most important skills is teamwork. Firefighters rely on each other every single day!

Cool Tools of the Trade

Firefighters use some pretty awesome tools to get the job done. Along with hoses and ladders, Brady uses axes and special pry bars called halligans. There are even powerful hydraulic tools that can cut through metal in situations where someone needs help in a car accident.

Something for the animal lovers? Fire trucks carry special oxygen masks for pets, too. Even your furry family members can get help from firefighters.

While you’re out and about, keep an eye out for fire hydrants. These are super important because they give firefighters quick access to lots of water during an emergency. That’s why it’s important to never block them with cars or play with them

Fire Safety Reminders

Fire safety is super important. Here are some reminders to talk about as a family to make sure everyone stays safe in the event of a fire:
• Every home should have working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. A carbon monoxide alarm is a great idea, too.
• Have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a safe meeting spot outside. Practice it together!
• If you ever see smoke or fire, get outside right away and stay outside. Never hide or go back inside to grab anything.
• Matches, lighters, and candles are not toys—leave those to the adults!
• Learn how to call 911 and know your home address—this helps firefighters find you quickly. Remember, calling 911 is only for emergencies!
• If your clothes ever catch fire, remember: STOP, DROP, and ROLL!
• Stay low to the ground if there’s smoke—cleaner air is down low, like crawling under a cloud.

You might also notice different kinds of fire trucks around town.

Some have big ladders to reach tall buildings, while others carry hoses and water to put out fires. Our local firefighters work hard to keep Lincoln safe, and learning about what they do is a great way to be a helpful part of your community!

A Job With Heart

Brady has wanted to be a firefighter ever since he was a kid, and by the time he was in high school, he was completely set on becoming a firefighter. Brady went to college for fire protection at Southeast Community College. Now he gets to live out his childhood dream every day. Being a firefighter, he loves helping people when they need it most. No two days are ever the same. But one thing never changes: Firefighters like Brady are always ready to jump in, work as a team, and keep our community safe.

See for Yourself

Did you know you can meet your local firefighters right here in the Lincoln community? Many fire stations welcome visitors, so with a grown-up, you can stop by, say hello, and even see the fire trucks up close

Fire Safety Reminders

Fire safety is super important. Here are some reminders to talk about as a family to make sure everyone stays safe in the event of a fire:
• Every home should have working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. A carbon monoxide alarm is a great idea, too.
• Have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a safe meeting spot outside. Practice it together!
• If you ever see smoke or fire, get outside right away and stay outside. Never hide or go back inside to grab anything.
• Matches, lighters, and candles are not toys—leave those to the adults!
• Learn how to call 911 and know your home address—this helps firefighters find you quickly. Remember, calling 911 is only for emergencies!
• If your clothes ever catch fire, remember: STOP, DROP, and ROLL!
• Stay low to the ground if there’s smoke—cleaner air is down low, like crawling under a cloud.