Those that eventually find themselves in that undesirable place, often times transfer into another aspect of the fire suppression arena, or in some cases retire from the fire service entirely. Physical and mental qualities of firefighters are another bond they share. The demanding job of wildland firefighters, much like that of their structural brethren, requires that they are in good, if not excellent, physical condition. Their tasks require good mental health and stability which, when coupled with physical ability and rules and regulations of fighting wildland fire, help protect them from harm. One more common bond that firefighters share is a willingness to be open, and be a team player .
Firefighters serve on crews, which become their surrogate family.
They rely on each other for physical and emotional support. They develop a kind of siblinghood among themselves. Women are regarded more like sisters than romantic engagements, by their masculine counterparts. Crewmembers learn to function in harmony with one another under all sorts of extreme and dangerous conditions. They depend on each other as if their lives depended on it, and they often do.