While it's essential for firefighters to have a supportive network of colleagues and peers in the profession, it's equally important for them to have friends outside of the fire service.

Firefighters are just like anyone else when it comes to being a good friend. They can offer support, listen without judgment, and be there for their friends when they need them. However, because of the nature of their job, there are a few additional things firefighters should consider to be good friends.

1. Make Time for Friends: Firefighters' schedules can be unpredictable and demanding, but it's important to make time for friends outside of work. This might mean scheduling social events well in advance or being flexible with plans when an emergency arises.

2. Listen and Offer Support: Firefighters are trained to be good listeners and offer support to those in need. This skill is just as important when it comes to being a good friend. Listen to your friends, offer support, and be there for them when they need you.

3. Be Honest and Transparent: Honesty and transparency are essential components of any healthy friendship. Be open with your friends about what you're going through, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

4. Maintain Boundaries: As a firefighter, you may be exposed to traumatic events on a regular basis. While it's important to offer support to friends, it's equally important to maintain boundaries. Don't take on more than you can handle, and make sure you're taking care of your own mental health needs.

5. Celebrate Milestones: Celebrating milestones and achievements is an important part of any friendship. Make an effort to celebrate your friends' accomplishments, whether it's a promotion at work, a personal achievement, or a birthday.

6. Share Your Experiences: Being a firefighter is a unique job that can be difficult for others to understand. Sharing your experiences with friends can help them gain a better understanding of what you do and the challenges you face.

Why it's essential for firefighters' mental health to have friends that are not firefighters:

1. Reduces Work-Related Stress: When firefighters spend time with people outside of the fire service, they have the opportunity to step away from the job and talk about things unrelated to work. This can help to reduce work-related stress and provide a much-needed mental break from the demands of the job.
   

2. Provides a Different Perspective: Being part of a close-knit firefighting community can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also create an echo chamber where everyone has similar experiences and perspectives. Having friends outside of the fire service provides a different perspective, which can broaden firefighters' horizons and help them to see things from a different angle.
   

3. Supports a Healthy Work-Life Balance: The nature of firefighting means that it can be challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Having friends outside of the fire service can help to support this balance by providing firefighters with a social outlet and encouraging them to engage in activities outside of work.
   

4. Promotes Personal Growth: Spending time with people from different walks of life can help firefighters to grow and develop as individuals. They may learn new skills, develop new interests, or simply gain a better understanding of themselves and their values.
   

5. Provides Emotional Support: Firefighters are exposed to traumatic events on a regular basis, and having a strong support system is essential for maintaining good mental health. Friends outside of the fire service can provide emotional support and a safe space to talk about difficult experiences.

Having friends outside of the fire service is essential for firefighters' mental health. It provides a much-needed break from work-related stress, broadens their perspectives, supports a healthy work-life balance, promotes personal growth, and provides emotional support. Firefighters should make an effort to connect with people outside of the fire service and nurture those friendships as an essential part of maintaining good mental health.