Claude Nothar is currently in the 18th month of his training as a professional firefighter with the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS). At 31 years old, he is not the typical candidate who was already active in a youth section or volunteer capacity. In fact, Nothar admits he had never served as a volunteer firefighter.
However, he found himself seeking a change. He explained that he reached a point in his career where he wanted something new and more physically active. Since he was always happy to lend a hand and contribute to society, he decided to apply to become a professional firefighter. Today, after 18 months of training, Nothar is convinced he made the right choice and declared that this is the job he wants to do until retirement.
Before becoming a professional firefighter, applicants must go through a selective recruitment process. According to Nothar, this involves psychological, physical, and medical tests. Afterwards, candidates enter a two-year training period featuring both theoretical and practical elements, including regular exams. Internships hold a particularly important place, with trainees being sent to various centres across the country and going out on their first interventions.
According to Nothar, the profession is much more diverse than many people think. Professional firefighters not only drive fire engines but also ambulances. Especially for young firefighters, emergency assistance is a big part of everyday life – demanding not only technical knowledge but also empathy and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
What Nothar has found most impressive is the strong team spirit. Firefighters always go on missions in pairs at minimum, and according to Nothar, they can count on one another. While he acknowledged that the work is mentally and physically demanding, he noted that over time a certain routine takes hold and one learns to deal with various situations.
