They are Guzmanias, often grown as a throw away plant.

Does that mean they won't last long?

No, they will probably have the flower on them for 3mths or more but it will fade in colour.
New pups will show around the mother plant which should be left until about 1/3 size of mum. These can then carefully taken off and repotted.
You will have another flowering plant in about 2yrs.

No not really. They grow on their own.