Comments on: So You Want My Job: Firefighter

By: J.Corey

J.Corey — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:43:56 +0000

I was a wildland firefighter for 7 years. Two were spent on an engine, and the last 5 were spent on a helicopter rappel crew, jumping from helicopters and sliding down to fires. With those I also did “detail” shifts with the Hotshots, Handcrews, and Smokejumpers. I have to say they were some of the best times of my life. I made great friends and have toured much of the Western United States; I’ve been to places that few have ever set foot, and seen some intense sights. It has become a more competitive field to get into, but the best advice i could give is to just get involved. Take classes at your local colleges, many now are offering fire sciences degrees. Having a EMT or other medical background is a huge bonus when applying. But the biggest thing to help you get into it would be by starting out on a handcrew (type 2) or Hotshot crew (type 1); they are usually the biggest crews in the region and look for new hires and for rookies to train. They are also some of the hardest working crews, and you will know immediately if you are cut out for this job, both physically and mentally. Once you get past your first season, the availability and training you received during your time on those crews, opens ups more fields withing the fire services. Many wildland firefighters will gain fire experience this way, and aide in their transitions to working for the city. Just keep at it, volunteer for work, and stay safe.

By: B.Frank

B.Frank — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:34:42 +0000

TreGunter. i am the opposite of you. i am an EMT-B and am fresh on my local vol. fire dept. i have fallen in love with EMS and am taking the fire fighter 240 this fall. and paramedic in the fall of 2011. i hope to begin a carreer as a Fire-Medic by 2013 with a fulltime fire department. the fire fighting doesn’t quite excite me as much as EMS though.

By: Dmitry Sataev

Dmitry Sataev — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:51:09 +0000

I want to become a firefighter!I came from Russia to America 2 years ago and i finaly learned enough English to go to the college and get my EMT certificate!And i heard from lot of diffrent people to become a firefighter-the best way to do it -it is become a paramedic-that’s what i’m going to do!The Firefighter it is a dream job for me!And i’m ready to do what ever it’s take’s to become a part of this service!

By: brenden

brenden — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:39:17 +0000

Hey , Im thinking of becoming a firefighter and i hope it’s as good as you guys say it is.

By: lisa

lisa — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:22:11 +0000

i.m 27 and was never lead to believe i could become something but now i know better and am interested in becoming a firefighter. excited you know. all these comment are good and helpful. i.m ashamed to say i never even graduated high school but i.m willing to do whatever it takes.

By: TreGunter

TreGunter — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:30:08 +0000

I’ve been a volunteer for 2 years, and am now a seasonal guy on a hand crew fighting wild fires. I have to say I would much rather work in the heat, and all day and night then respond to medical calls… I am an EMT, but only because it would help me land a job in the wild land spectrum. Yea… No city job’s for me, I hate medical.

By: Darrell

Darrell — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:17:41 +0000

In Charleston, several years back.. there were 9 that lost their lives in fighting a fire. The loss to the community was felt by all. I knew several and the sudden loss of those that are in your life and suddenly are not .. was a great one. The memorial service that was held in Charleston was attended by many people. The tears that were shed, were shed by many. These brave men fighting a fire that could have over come a whole neighborhood, saved many lives. The community came together as to make sure the famlies of these men would be taken care of. That the names of these men would not be forgotten.
I know 2 firefighters that were there that day. They were in the building and only by the grace of God they were called out of the building. A husband and wife doing what they knew are now sharing life with a small one. Thanks to all of you men of doing a hard job done by only men of strength and courage
Darrell Weaver

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:52:15 +0000

Good Post. I’ve been a professional firefighter for 3 years now. Some advice to those interested in the job; go out and get as much life experience as you can. Fire departments get inundated with cookie cutter applicants. Young white guys with an associates in fire science, played high school ball, blah, blah, blah. Think about what you bring to the table as far as life experience, education, and skills are concerned. If your resume looks weak, and your story is boring, don’t expect to get hired! Stay out of trouble, get as much education as possible (Bachelors degree, paramedic certification), work hard, and test every chance you get.

By: Chad

Chad — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:11:30 +0000

I will have more responses to some of these posts later. However I will address Gilberto first. Most regions, set their own age limits. Where I am and a lot of other places have PERF (Public Employees Retirement Fund) a lot of the time PERF sets the age limit, here it is 36. Some places like FDNY won’t look at you if you are over say 25 (I actually think FDNY is like 21 but is not the norm) due to the amount of “jobs” you will do throughout your career. I would ask fire depts near you about age requirments, and remember you can go anywhere in the country to get a job if you are willing to move. The south-eastern part of the country tend to pay less than say the mid-west where I am. The north-east tends to be a lot of volunteer fire depts.

Whie on the topic of Vol. fire depts. I will respond to Peter James’ above comment. Most cops rush into burning buildings because they are uneducated, most have no idea what they are ingesting as far as poisons from the fire into their lungs or how fast new building materials fail and will cause parts of the house to fall in and kill them. Firefighters have the gear and air we do because we do get educated on the dangers. I would advise you to tell your cop buddy to stay out of a burning structure his uniform is not fire proof and his gun can’t provide air. Not everyone in a fire is savable, there is no reason for him to be in a house that is on fire, unless he has no desire to go home to his family.

As I said prior I will post more comments to other posts later.

By: Gilberto VÃ¡zquez

Gilberto VÃ¡zquez — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:18:51 +0000

How old you can be to become a firefigther. I´m 36 and I reallly admire this job although I don´t have any experience. I have enough fitnest, endurance and great responsabilty though.