Should I switch from carpentry to firefighting at 39 with a mortgage?

Hello.
I’ve been a self-employed carpenter for 20 years now, and while I don’t hate it, the days are a mix—some feel good, others weigh on me. I know I’m good at what I do, and over the years I’ve built a genuinely strong reputation with clients and builders.

Recently, I went through the recruitment process to become a firefighter, and I was accepted to start training. It’s something I’ve always believed would be a truly meaningful job, and I feel it would give me so much more satisfaction.

I own my own home—well, the bank owns half of it—and I’ve been slowly, carefully renovating it.

The last six months have been really up and down with work. I think it’s mostly the cost of living, inflation, that kind of thing.

I’ll be taking a pretty big pay cut during the training, and I’m honestly worried about keeping up with hte mortgage. I plan to keep my carpentry business going so I can take on some jobs in my time off from firefighting.

I guess I’m just interested in hearing other people’s honest thoughts on my situation… I’m 39.

Hey mate, fr I've applied for firefighting so many times The apps that actually get accepted? Super low. So if I was in your shoes, I'd take that opportunity for sure Might not come again. Can always go back to carpentry if it's not your thing, or do odd jobs after training ‍

Almost every firefighter has a side business. Your schedule 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off gives you time to run jobs on the side. My dad just retired after 35 years with a solid superannuation accoun, about three years of saved holiday and sick pay, and a great crew he worked with for a long time.

It's a rewarding career, and once you're in, your wages only go up. Give it a crack, mate.

And don't forget: you can upskill within the service fire investigation, rope rescue, search, etc. Once you have your feet on the ground, most stations or sections offer overtime.