Firefighter fathers take on childcare duties

Firefighting is traditionally seen as a macho job, so one may not expect to see firemen taking on the modern role of a stay-at-home dad.

However, that increasingly seems to be the case. As the Schenectady, New York’s Daily Gazette reports, local fireman receive three days off for every 24-hour shift they work, time many of them are using to look after their kids.

It notes that traditionally, those working at the Fire Department would have used the time off for a second job while mom stayed at home with the kids, but fathers are now stepping in to help with the day-to-day job of raising children.

The newspaper spoke to lieutenant Doug Faulisi, who enjoys spending his days off with his six-year old twin daughters, along with his firefighter friends.

"It’s awesome. I wouldn’t want it any other way," he said, adding: "You get to raise your children with your values – it’s just the little things. If somebody’s not being polite, I immediately have a chance to correct them."

Lieutenant Faulisi did admit that he can get some funny looks from moms in the park, but suggested that there is "safety in numbers" when he is with other fathers from the Fire Department and their kids.

This is a problem a lot of single or stay-at-home dads face, as nurseries and parks are typically dominated by women during the day, but support groups are now springing up across the US to allow these men to find like-minded friends.