werdzrweapons
New Member
I've been thinking about becoming a firefighter but I'm not sure how to begin the process, any help would be greatly appreciated?
Firefighter career
- Thread starter werdzrweapons
- Start date
Lieutenant172
New Member
If you're fully dedicated to the profession, then definitely pursue a fire science degree through the University of Maryland. It is by no means a requirement, but will make you shine during the job process. Plus, you'll earn extra money by having the degree once hired.
Each and every chance you get, apply for job openings. I, personally, would focus on the counties that have 24 hours on 72 hours off schedules. Washington, DC will offer the most action and you'll see plenty of fire.
) 
dustin
UAIOE
may have better luck getting the job in a different state... gov jobs are cutting back... just something to think about...
Top Ten Highest Paying States for Firefighters - FireLink.Monster.com
Top Ten Highest Paying States for Firefighters - FireLink.Monster.com
ImnoMensa
New Member
Check around and see who is giving entrance exams,and when they are. Apply for them. Take all the tests you can ,you never know which will be hiring soon.
Don't pay too much attentiont to the poster who said you ride the Ambulance all the time, he is obviously disillusuined with his job. But it is true that the Ambulance has become a pain in the ass to people who want to be full time Firefighters. DC now has the worst of that world. People who believe Ambulance's are meant to be Taxi cabs with red lights.
Serve your country, learn a skill and get exerience.
I think you are disillusioned. He is dead on. Even the Feds are starting to staff them.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
Oh, i agree.. but there is actually only TWO places where you can actually get trained and a job as a firefighter in the military.. and I think One of those is 100% staffed with civilians now.
The Army Reserves is the only component that actually have REAL fireman.
G1G4
Find em Hot, Leave em Wet
Depends on where you want to go. If you go to a city, you have to take entrance exams, both physical and written. DC has a recruit course that I *believe* lasts 16 weeks. 'bigpoppa' should be popping in soon, he's a firefighter in DC, he can give you more on that aspect.
If you pass the entrance exam, you'll go through the recruit course which gives you Fire 1, Fire 2, EMT-B and probably a few other specialized courses (such as rescue tech). If you go in fresh with no experience, you'll find it hard to cope and catch up with the mental aspect of it. I also believe DC has a flashover simulator which is what all of their probies go through, to simulate a flashover experience.
NDW (Indian Head or Pax) usually wants firefighters with prerequistes. If you're serious about a real career, DC or Baltimore is where you want to go. Volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door and game valuable experience and nozzletime before really partaking in a paid department.
The biggest thing I can tell you, no matter where you go, whether it's a volunteer or paid department, is love your job and respect it at the same time. Learn what you can, while you can. Take as many courses as you can handle. Never act like you're the big shot in a house, because you'll find out quickly that you're not. Be personable, be reasonable, never stop training and ALWAYS stay in shape. Below is a video of the flashover can, similiar to what DC has. While it may not look impressive, when the fire rolls over, it's about 1100 degrees.
If you pass the entrance exam, you'll go through the recruit course which gives you Fire 1, Fire 2, EMT-B and probably a few other specialized courses (such as rescue tech). If you go in fresh with no experience, you'll find it hard to cope and catch up with the mental aspect of it. I also believe DC has a flashover simulator which is what all of their probies go through, to simulate a flashover experience.
NDW (Indian Head or Pax) usually wants firefighters with prerequistes. If you're serious about a real career, DC or Baltimore is where you want to go. Volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door and game valuable experience and nozzletime before really partaking in a paid department.
The biggest thing I can tell you, no matter where you go, whether it's a volunteer or paid department, is love your job and respect it at the same time. Learn what you can, while you can. Take as many courses as you can handle. Never act like you're the big shot in a house, because you'll find out quickly that you're not. Be personable, be reasonable, never stop training and ALWAYS stay in shape. Below is a video of the flashover can, similiar to what DC has. While it may not look impressive, when the fire rolls over, it's about 1100 degrees.
To kind of piggyback on some of the views on here, I think that Volunteering is a great way to obtain knowledge, training, and to find out if this is what you want to do in life. With that being said, some of the best firemen that I have met have never volunteered a day in their life.
WOW!!! What am I saying???
First off I am not against Volunteerig. Shoot I still put about 40 hours a week in my Volunteer house. I am just saying that if this individual "knows" this is what he wants to do, he may not benefit much from the "Volunteer side". The truth is, most academies (DC Included) will still sit you through Fire 1, Fire 2, Haz Mat Ops, EMT etc... even if you have them through another state. In the "books", DC has an ARC (Accelerated Recruit Class), but to the best of my knowledge it has been quite a while since the last one was actually ran through.
With all of that being said I am going to confuse you now. In all my talk about not "Volunteering" the best advice I can give you is to stop in your local Volunteer Fire Department. The chances are pretty high that you will find one or two career guys hanging around there in the off duty time. They will be able to answer any and all questions, comments, concerns that you may have.
Please feel free to PM me at any time, or to stop by my "Volunteer" house off of Chancellors Run Road. If I am not there, I am sure, that any of the guy/gals hanging around would be more than happy to assist you.
I wish you the best of luck. It is a very competitive job to get into, but once you are in, you will realize that it is well worth it. Like G1 said, have a great amount of pride in your job, and in your work.
Be Safe,
Shawn
WOW!!! What am I saying???
First off I am not against Volunteerig. Shoot I still put about 40 hours a week in my Volunteer house. I am just saying that if this individual "knows" this is what he wants to do, he may not benefit much from the "Volunteer side". The truth is, most academies (DC Included) will still sit you through Fire 1, Fire 2, Haz Mat Ops, EMT etc... even if you have them through another state. In the "books", DC has an ARC (Accelerated Recruit Class), but to the best of my knowledge it has been quite a while since the last one was actually ran through.
With all of that being said I am going to confuse you now. In all my talk about not "Volunteering" the best advice I can give you is to stop in your local Volunteer Fire Department. The chances are pretty high that you will find one or two career guys hanging around there in the off duty time. They will be able to answer any and all questions, comments, concerns that you may have.
Please feel free to PM me at any time, or to stop by my "Volunteer" house off of Chancellors Run Road. If I am not there, I am sure, that any of the guy/gals hanging around would be more than happy to assist you.
I wish you the best of luck. It is a very competitive job to get into, but once you are in, you will realize that it is well worth it. Like G1 said, have a great amount of pride in your job, and in your work.
Be Safe,
Shawn
My son is a firefighter in the AF - just completed his 12th year (career). I just spent a day with him at BWI between flights on his way to Iraq. He loves his job and that he's working for his country. Great training, lots of travel (Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Hawaii, Honduras, Langley, VA, Sacramento) in addition to the TDY's.
This is his fifth time in the "sandbox".
Yes, they are a very, very proud and loyal group of men.
This is his fifth time in the "sandbox".
Yes, they are a very, very proud and loyal group of men.
clevalley
...
On the flip side of this being a volunteer is a good way to really see if you want to go career. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 years to get hired into a paid department.
I would hate to have gone through all the testing and finally get hired and go through rookie school it to find out it was not for me... that slot could have gone to a young man or woman who really, really wanted to be there.
Volunteering (in the end) made me realize I did not want to go paid (a story in itself) and I am glad the for the career choice I made.
Volunteering and the MFRI classes really do make you stand out - you can build a resume' showing you have taken the initiative to do the job without taking money. Plus, the time you hit rookie school your are a step or two ahead of people who have no idea.
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Clevalley, great point. I was taking it that this gentleman had his mind made up that being a career firefighter was the path that he wanted to take. Also, many organizations have very bad career vs volunteer relations, mainly combination departments. In those types of scenarios, I think it would be counter-productive to go through everything in the volunteer world, and then have to live the "I hate Volunteers" thing throughout your entire career. Some people just don't understand how important we are. It is sad, but it is the truth.
True, most bases use civilians. But as someone mentioned there is damage control - no civilians on aircraft carriers (yet).
How about the Merchant Marine?
itsbob
I bowl overhand
Not many Civilian Aircaft Carriers that need firefighters either..
Just saying..
Besides, I didn't think the Navy had Damage Control specialists, or Special FireFighters on boats, as this is something ALL sailors are taught? And yes, I've heard and seen Navy Recruiters put kids into the "Fireman" job knowing damn well being a fireman on a ship has absolutely NOTHING to do with fighting fires.
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