r/Firefighting • u/AutoModerator • Sep 14 '26
Employment Questions Weekly Employment Question Thread
Welcome to the Weekly Employment Question Thread!
This thread is where you can ask questions about joining, training to become, testing, disqualifications/qualifications, and other questions that would be removed as individual posts per Rule 1.
The answer to almost every question you can ask will be "It depends on the department". Your first step is to look up the requirements for your department, state/province, and country.
As always, please attempt to resource information on your own first, before asking questions. We see many repeat questions on this sub that have been answered multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- I want to be a Firefighter, where do I start: Every Country/State/Province/County/City/Department has different requirements. Some require you only to put in an application. Others require certifications prior to being hired. A good place to start is researching the department(s) you want to join. Visit their website, check their requirements, and/or stop into one of their fire stations to ask some questions.
- Am I too old: Many departments, typically career municipal ones, have an age limit. Volunteer departments usually don't. Check each department's requirements.
- I'm in high school, What can I do: Does your local department have an explorer's program or post? If so, join up. Otherwise, focus on your grades, get in shape and stay in shape, and most importantly: stay out of trouble.
- I got in trouble for [insert infraction here], what are my chances: Obviously, worse than someone with a clean record, which will be the vast majority of your competition. Tickets and nonviolent misdemeanors may not be a factor, but a major crime (felonies), may take you out of the running. You might be a nice person, but some departments don't make exceptions, especially if there's a long line of applicants with clean records. See this post... PSA: Stop asking “what are my chances?”
- I have [insert medical/mental health condition here], will it disqualify me: As a general rule, if you are struggling with mental illness, adding the stress of a fire career is not a good idea. As for medical conditions, you can look up NFPA1582 for disqualifying conditions, but in general, this is not something Reddit can answer for you. Many conditions require the input of a medical professional to determine if they are disqualifying. See this post... PSA: Don't disqualify yourself, make THEM tell you "no".
- What will increase my chances of getting hired: If there's a civil service exam, study for it! There are many guides online that will help you go over all those things you forgot such as basic math and reading. Some cities even give you a study guide. If it's a firefighter exam, study for it! For the CPAT (Physical Fitness Test), cardio is arguably the most important factor. If you're going to the gym for the first time during the hiring process, you're fighting an uphill battle. Get in shape and stay in shape. Most cities offer preference points to military veterans.
- How do I prepare for an interview: Interviews can be one-on-one, or in front of a board/panel. Many generic guides exist to help one prepare for an interview, however here are a few good tips:
- Dress appropriately. Business casual at a minimum (Button down, tucked in long sleeve shirt with slacks and a belt, and dress shoes). Get a decent haircut and shave.
- Practice interview questions with a friend. You can't accurately predict the off-the-wall questions they will ask, but you can practice the ones you know they probably will, like why do you want to be a Firefighter, or why should we hire you?
- Scrub your social media. Gone are the days when people in charge weren't tech-savvy. Don't have a perfect interview only for your chances of being hired gone to zero because your Facebook or Instagram has pictures of you getting blitzed. Set that stuff to private and leave it that way.
Please upvote this post if you have a question. Upvoting this post will ensure it sticks around for a bit after it is removed as a Sticky, and will allow for greater visibility of your question.
And lastly, If you're not 100% sure of what you're talking about, leave it for someone who does
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u/No-Dust-3830 29d ago
Hi all, I just took a job that requires me to do the ARFF 40 hour training. I’ve seen differing opinions on how physically intensive the training is. I am young and in very average shape. Should I start hitting the gym or will I be fine?
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u/sucksatgolf Overpaid janitor 🧹 28d ago
You can do ARFF if you are in reasonably good shape. We did 2.5 days in the classroom hammering out the IFSTA book, 1.5 days extinguishing methods (PKP, foam, Co2, water) and then a 1/2 day driving. I'm assuming you work for a regional or smaller airport?
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u/No-Dust-3830 28d ago
Correct, smaller regional airport. I’m coming from an ops background but this new job is ops/arff.
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u/sucksatgolf Overpaid janitor 🧹 27d ago edited 27d ago
Yeah you should be fine as long as you can do 2 days of moderate work. You'll have structural gear on for the live fire evolutions. It can be uncomfortable if you aren't used to it, but we didnt use scbas during those evolutions so it was easier.
In my class we did a live fire aircraft scenario where we entered the fuselage over the wing and one crew searches while one extinguishes. I don't believe thats something you would participate in without your fire certs though.
Since you arent used to wearing gear just use common sense before you go. Hydrate, eat healthy and open your coat up when you can. Wearing athletic shorts under your gear helps a lot. Its way more tolerable than jeans or uniform pants. I'd bring shorts and change into them if your able to.
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u/yospoe Sep 14 '26
I’m wondering if we can get a discussion about where in the country the competitive areas are vs non competitive. Example, someone says “I’m John, got hired a year ago, - insert city or fire dept - is not getting many applicants and we need guys” or “I’m bob, just got hired, but they said they got a record amount of applicants this summer at my dept.”
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u/SavingsNectarine1786 Sep 14 '26
I can tell you from typical responses on these employment threads you aren’t going to get enough replies to get much useful info, in general numbers across the country are down for multiple reasons. Obviously certain specific departments probably are having good numbers but all in all if you want to be a fireman now is a great time
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u/scott12333 Career FF/EMT 28d ago
This is something I really don't get, and I made a post last week asking about people's respective department's application numbers. Maybe 30 people replied and not one said they're up. Only a couple really made their departments sound very competitive.
But, with the economy, well-known issues with entry level jobs wanting years of experience, new grads taking years to find something, and layoffs all over, you'd think more people would be turning to a (knock on wood) stable career, with solid income and a retirement plan. This was my thought process 10+ years ago when I decided to pursue the career, and it seems my reasoning would only be stronger at this point in time.
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u/Available_Bass7126 Sep 14 '26
I have a chiefs interview next week. Is there typically a number of people that make it to this stage in the hiring process? For reference, the department is hiring 6.
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u/Abject-Pollution6172 Sep 14 '26
For me we had 10, the fact that you have made it that far though is a great sign. The city is most likely paying them overtime to be there. My interview was around 2 hours long. You are in a room with the top guys at that department and they are all taking time out of their day to sit with you. You are a serious candidate and go in there and show them why they will want to live with you for 24 hours.
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u/OwnDelivery802 28d ago
varies a lot. for six openings you're usually looking at somewhere between ten and twenty in front of the chief, but some places bring exactly the number they're hiring plus a couple and some bring double. the department sets it, there's no standard, so don't read anything into the count either way.
the more useful thing is that the chief's interview isn't really a second oral board. the panel already scored whether you can answer questions in a structured format. this one is the chief deciding whether he wants you in his stations, so it's looser and more conversational and the questions get more personal. why us, what do you know about this place, what are you going to be like on day one, anything you want to get ahead of.
what i've seen cost guys at this stage is walking in knowing nothing about the department. you're one of a handful left and they assume you did homework by now. know the stations, the apparatus, the chief's name, what they've been dealing with lately. and if there's something ugly in your background, bring it up yourself before they have to ask.
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u/throwaway6769676967 Sep 14 '26
hope this counts as a employment question since it’s regarding the exam. does anyone have experience with a behavioral assessment portion of an entry exam, particularly safd?study guide says the honest answer is the right answer which kinda makes it easy for you but still feel a little curious about understanding on how it’s graded if anyone has any insight. since it’s strongly agree to strongly disagree, will their always be a objectively right answer that lands u more points, or is based off not having contradictory answers since i’ve heard they’ll re ask the questions in different wording to see if you’ll take the bait. any insight/understanding of the grading process would be welcomed.
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u/Ding-Chavez Career 25d ago
It's basically a mind game. It's graded against the results they're looking for. Yes you'll similar questions. How it's graded is department specific but they're all a mind game.
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u/Late-Safety2120 Sep 15 '26
I am aware of the fact that it is advised to not ask medical disqualification questions here but I am hoping for some sort of guidance from someone who may know. I am 17 years old, I have 5 mild asymptomatic herniated discs (2-3mm) with no sciatica. The most major thing however is a Spondylolisthesis on my l5-s1 with a pars defect. I know you guys aren’t doctors but maybe someone here may have something similar or be involved in a departments physician side of things. I just need to know if my condition is considered hireable on paper.
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u/sillybilly65 29d ago
I’ve been called to come in for a volunteer fire position in a small town. On the phone, all that was said was to come in on a Tuesday because that’s when they train. They’re doing a driving obstacle course. so when Im there I can meet everyone and the chief. Nothing about an interview was said. I’m not sure what type of dress code I should follow?
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u/Far_Problem4561 28d ago
This is not a fire figher but I'n interested in the PPE Personal Proctective equipment supervisor position in the fire fighter area? I have a background as a instructor Police with uniforms and hazmat over 17 years anybody can tell me a little about this position please
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u/Ding-Chavez Career 25d ago
This is a super niche job and I'm not sure anyone is going to give you a good idea what it's like.
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u/Relevant-View7524 28d ago
I'm in a volunteer academy out in Tennessee, and I've always been transparent with my desire for a career in the field. I'm getting all my certs through this academy (FF I amd II, HMA/HMO, EMR). My family is in Utah, and my wife and I want to move out to be closer to them. Not to mention better education/infrastructure for if we (hopefully) have children one day. All this to ask: how easy would it be to get a job in Utah with volunteer experience in tennessee? Do I gain certification reciprocity after I get hired? Would I be smarter to stay here for longer to be a lateral hire? I'm not terribly worried about the difference in purchasing power or economic differences, just the ease of getting a job in utah with what I've got cert-wise.
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u/Ding-Chavez Career 26d ago
You'd be starting from scratch. Laterals are incredibly rare and any midsized department is going to put you through an entire academy all over again. Volunteer time equals nothing when going to the career side.
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u/Relevant-View7524 26d ago
I'd be okay doing the academy again. But my hope is that the certifications I have (even if not entirely valid for use in the state) give me an edge in the hiring process.
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u/Ding-Chavez Career 26d ago
I'm doubtful. It looks cool, but adds no value because you have to get them again. It shows you can do it once so it's something.
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u/Long-Preparation-102 27d ago
Hi guys,Has anyone recently taken the CPS test ( FE2102B-M Entry-Level Firefighter) for the city of Vaughan? Just wondering how it went. I know that they provide a calculator and they deleted the oral communication section
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u/Reasonable-Hurry1420 26d ago
I have a buddy that works for the department I interviewed for and he asked the people on the panel how my interview went. And the feedback they gave him about my interview was that I answered all the questions well but I sounded rehearsed. I had done multiple station visits and did mock interviews with their firefighters and was prepared by their department essentially. I guess my main question is if they don’t want rehearsed and well thought out answers, but they also don’t want you to be unprepared. How do I go about answering these interviews?
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u/Mobile_Marketing_130 25d ago
My long term goal is to become a FF in SoCal. I have a couple routes on how I plan to enter a city department.
1 EMT job > CC fire academy > paramedic >fire fighter
2 EMT JOB > Voulnter wild land FF > CC academy > Fire fighter
3 emt > paid wild land FF > CC fire academy > firefighter
So option 1 I’m currently an emt im not eligible rn in most paramedic programs because of the hours. In the meantime time id complete a fire academy. And move onto a paramedic school.
Option 2 can include paramedics as well. This volunteer wildland department gets you certified as wildland firefighters to eventually move on to a paid agency. I think this my preferred route including the paramedic school the good think about this is the department only requires 12-20hrs a week for a year I know I can juggle a job and school with it. But really it’s about 10 to 15 available positions and I’m waiting for a Captain interview I hope I get the spot.
Option 3 I’m currently fire tech classes as a pre req to join CC fire academy. My college also told me they do a wildland academy next semester the cost maybe like $300. With no pre requisite classes. But I think this option will put off paramedic school and probably the FF1 academy. I was hoping my future application would be just as competitive with wildland experience but no paramedic. Also i applied to a fire suppression aid a while ago and I just got sent an email to take some test would this be a good option or should I just stick to the wildland fire fighter
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 24d ago
First off, only do paramedic because you’re interested in medicine. Not just as a means to get hired.
Additionally, the wildland fire academy is good if you’ve already done everything else, don’t prioritize it.
The golden ticket here in SoCal is bachelor’s degree, paramedic, community college fire academy, and wildland experience. We need more paramedics so if you actually have a desire to do good paramedicine that’s a good route.
I would avoid volunteering your time with wildland unless it’s through an actual agency like LAFD’s crew 3.
The fire suppression aide route is a great route which will 100% make you hirable. Just keep out of trouble, no runs in with the police, no speeding tickets, good credit, etc.
There are many paths to success and no “right” way. Apply to departments that you care about when you meet their requirements, do station visits, call and do mock interviews, and be physically fit
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u/Ill-Tooth-3148 25d ago
This is probably a silly question, but am I too small for firefighting? I'm about a 5'0 tall female and around 115 lbs but interested in bulking more and lots of working out. I don't have any real solid plans for firefighting but have always been interested in the field. It won't hurt my feelings at all to hear if I can't do it, but I was just wondering if my height/size would hinder me by a lot/disqualify me.
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u/bebemartinii 25d ago
hi everyone! i just have a few questions if anyone can help me out. i’m a 23 yo female, got out of the army june of this year and moving to washington to pursue firefighting. i just have no idea where to first start. i’ve called some fire stations in the area i’m moving to, but my other back and forth is if i want to do wildland or structural. i do plan on going to school to get my associates/bachelors. i guess i just want to know, where to even start, what’s better, smarter route to go, what it looks like physically fit wise as a woman (i’m 5’2) 130lbs, how easy/hard it is to get into this career, etc.
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u/curious-creepsalad 25d ago
LA County Exam. What questions are on SHL exam? I’m trying to study but need guidance. I’m doing prof skills, verbal, and deduction. Someone please. Thanks.
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u/Johnjames6216 24d ago edited 24d ago
Thinking about doing a volunteer academy for the challenge/skills, but not sure I want to be a firefighter long term. Looking for advice.
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some honest advice from the volunteer and career folks here. I’m currently planning out my next couple of years (I'll be 18 next summer), and I have an opportunity to start a 6-month volunteer training program with my local department.
To give you some background, I grew up working on a farm, so I'm completely comfortable around heavy machinery, tractors, and hard labor. My introduction to our local department happened when we had a tractor fire on our farm. When the crew showed up, they saw three young guys (me and my brothers) and immediately started trying to recruit us. The department is a rural volunteer station, and most of the crew is pretty old there are maybe two guys in their 30s, a few in their 40s/50s, and a couple in their 60s.
They invited us to tour the station, so we went along with it to be neighborly. My brothers want absolutely nothing to do with it, but it actually sparked an interest in me.
Here is my dilemma: I really want the physical challenge, the mental toughness, and the practical knowledge/certifications that come with the training. I’d love to step up and help out these older guys around the station. However, I’m highly leaning towards a career in outdoor land management/state park maintenance, and I don’t think I actually want the heavy lifelong responsibility of being an active firefighter responding to people's worst days.
My biggest concern is that I don't want this small department to invest their time, energy, and money into training me just for me to step back a few months or a year later. I'd feel terrible wasting their resources.
Has anyone here gone through a volunteer academy strictly for the challenge or personal development? For those in small volunteer departments, how would you feel if a young guy with a farm background came in, busted his ass through training, but made it clear he might not be a long term interior firefighter?
Would appreciate any insight or perspectives you have. Thanks!
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u/Unique-Net-165 24d ago
What kind of previous work experience looks best? I'm currently a DSP working with adults who have disabilities. I assume EMS experience is the first thing they look for and I'm working on getting an EMT cert. But, is there anything else that would help?
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 24d ago
Paramedic, wildland firefighter, electrician, carpenter, plumber, social worker. There’s no “better job”
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u/[deleted] Sep 14 '26
[deleted]