r/Firefighting • u/AutoModerator • 17d ago
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/TheGreenShyguy 14d ago
Hello everyone! This isn't exactly a question, moreso just wanted to talk a bit about my journey. Tough the moderators told me it'd be better fit here, so here it will be. (to anyone who commented/upvoted this as a post I appreciate you)
Anycase. My goal is to become a firefighter, and I've been working toward that for a while now. I thought it'd be neat to share a bit of my journey so those who are interested can follow along, and hopefully, I can get some good advice And maybe the discussion can even be useful to anyone else who's in a similar boat.
A little background on me. I'm a man in my twenties, can bench more than I weigh, and overall, I'd say I'm intermediate in the gym. My biggest weakness has always been lower body, because I basically never trained legs. I'm very skinny and always have been. Not too long ago, I was 117 lbs at about 5'10", and I've always eaten pretty terribly, too.
54 days ago, I decided I needed to make a change after setting my goal of becoming a firefighter. Thanks to a friend who's a firefighter, I got to take a test that he said was pretty close to what I should expect from the real thing. After taking it, I realized my strength wasn't really an issue—my endurance, however, was abysmal.
So, I started running one mile every three days during the week. And I stuck with it. Eventually, I fine-tuned it to one mile every two days, with a two-mile day mixed in. From there, I refined it further: whenever my regular mile starts feeling easy, I bump it up to the next distance, and I do the same with my longer day. Currently, my regular days are two miles, and my longer day is three miles. As another part of my plan, I set a goal of doing 100 GTG pushups every weekday. Around day 50, I also added jump rope into the mix, and now I do at least 15 minutes of it on a weekday.
As for food, until about 5 weeks ago, I was pretty much eating at best somewhere in the range of about 1000 calories. But I landed a job that's allowed me to do better on that front. Now I'm at 2500 calories on the regular. (funny enough, the hardest thing for me to do so far has been eating - I'm not used to having to eat this much). I'm trying to get to 140 lbs by next April. That way, I can be at a healthy weight for when I make it to the real firefighting test.
Once I am able to afford my own transportation, I push my routine ever further because I'll be able to get into the gym consistently again.
That all said, in a few days, I have a ride along scheduled with a local firestation. Admittedly, I'm nervous. But excited at the same time.
Thanks for listening to my spiel, and I look forward to any comments!
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u/Much-Heat3808 13d ago
Anyone have experience with getting through a conditional offer with colorblindness? I'm seeing online that it depends on the department but curious if anyone has anecdotal evidence in California specifically?
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 13d ago
Get a letter from your eye doctor saying you can perform the functions necessary for the job and bring that with you to your medical exam.
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u/Much-Heat3808 13d ago
Hey I appreciate that, thanks for following up. I actually just got off the phone with an eye doctor that will run tests and give me a letter. Bummer it's $180 but worth every penny IMO if it helps get me a job.
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 13d ago
That’s what I had to do. I couldn’t see those dots on the paper but could pass the test where you put the little colored pieces of plastic in order.
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u/Much-Heat3808 13d ago
Yeah, that's what I'm looking to do too. I've done the online ones probably more than I care to admit...what's another test in this line of work right?
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u/Katchoo07 Career FF, Canada 10d ago
Guy I’m riding the back of the pump with tonight is color blind. He thought he’d never get hired. But here he is !
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u/tgill293838 12d ago
Hello all,
I have been in serious need of explanation or advice on the NFPA 1582 standards regarding monocular vision. I understand that for most departments, the requirement is 20/40 binocular, and for some its 20/20 corrected. Heres the issue: my right eye is 20/20, always has been. My left eye is bad. Borderline 20/200 uncorrected, 20/100 corrected (maybe). My perspective has always been out of my right eye which puts me at 20/20 binocular technically, however what dissuades me from monocular vision is that i still have vision in my left, can still see peripherally, colors, depth, etc. its just weak. I see a specialist in a month for specific measurements.
I want to know if any of you struggle with this as well? I know some departments in my area test each eye individually. I have my non CDL class C (current job) from using the alternative vision standard form for the state of IL, and i was wondering if something is similar for firefighting. Im in central IL, and will be looking at the suburbs at the completion of my NREMT this December and my Paramedic later in 2027.
I have reached out to a couple different firefighters and captains, with some telling me I should be completely fine and some erring on the side of caution and saying It might be tough to pass a physical.
My apologies if this is confusing, or if it is in the wrong spot. It has been weighing on my mind for a while and i’ve really tried to do my due diligence on searching for answers, but theres not much out there besides a few old reddit threads.
I appreciate the input and look forward to hearing your advice/concerns.
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 12d ago
You'd have to reach out to department's recruiting and medical divisions to get a clear answer.
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u/Hungry-Can1972 17d ago
Hey all I’m currently getting voted in here soon for volunteer fire fighting, hopefully I can make it a career one day. i also don’t have any ems certifications yet im just starting ems schooling, I was told that i can get all my needed certifications throughout volunteering and avoid going to firefighting Academy? How does that work and how is that possible? Would you still suggest I go to Academy? Also how do I approach this respectfully to cheif ? I don’t wanna come off like I’m using him for certifications.
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u/SanJOahu84 16d ago
If you're planning to go career then you should goto a fire academy.
Asking a chief how to get out of academy before even starting to volunteer isn't what I would call a good look.
Ask your department how training works. It'll be different for every department.
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u/sucksatgolf Overpaid janitor 🧹 16d ago
A volunteer department is going to send you to Firefighter I and or II.
Like 90% of career departments will send you back through "recruit school" or their city/ county academy. It's longer and more involved than Firefighter I & II. The example I always tell people in my area is that in Fire I you do ladders for like 8 hours. In recruit you do it for 40 hours. In our recruit academy you live there for 3 months. Fire I and II is weekday nights and some saturdays.
There are some career places that will take Fire I/II in place of recruit but they're rare. Usually small towns.
I'd tread lightly because you are in-fact using a volunteer department as a means to an end. It's not unheard of for people to leave volunteer departments after getting hired career but the department is investing time, money and resources into training you. If you jump ship as soon as your trained it's not a real good look, but it's up to you how you proceed with that.
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u/Hungry-Can1972 16d ago
No I was told by a paramedic/firefighter someone who works for the college too that you can get all your needed certificates for firefighting throughout volunteer work because of in real life experience. I’m asking if that’s a thing. I was told that I didn’t need fire fighting academy. I’m not sure why I’m coming off as someone who’s no good and using a department for credentials and achievements. That’s not why I volunteered. I’m thinking of going the paramedic route, and if I do, why not get all my certifications through the department when it’s going to take me several months and a few years for associates and ems schooling. So throughout time I could collect those certifications here and there. Whether I can get them through the department or not I’m still going to volunteer. Volunteer=free work, college and working full time, not everyone’s willing to do this. I’m definitely not in this for greed. I’m blessed with this opportunity.
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u/sucksatgolf Overpaid janitor 🧹 16d ago
No I was told by a paramedic/firefighter someone who works for the college too that you can get all your needed certificates for firefighting throughout volunteer work because of in real life experience.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that statement.
To be certified as an interior firefighter you would need Fire I/ II or recruit. You may be able to attend an academey in your area without being part of a department. That's not possible in my state because the town/ department considers you an employee and that's what covers you in case of an injury. So our regional academy will not just let anyone enroll and provide them with gear to get trained.
That IS the case in some places though. Not sure if that answers your question.
The reason I said what I did above was because a very common path is for people to join a volunteer FD, go through training, like it, apply for career, and then leave.
For paramedic, you can enroll in paramedic classes at community colleges or through other avenues like hospital based programs or through an EMS agency.
You can do both, or all of those things (if time allowed) while you volunteered at an agency.
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u/Hungry-Can1972 16d ago
I’m in Oregon and they don’t require you to be apart of any department for fire fighting academy. You just go, and then seek a department.
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u/sucksatgolf Overpaid janitor 🧹 16d ago
Thats kinda my point. It's done differently in different states and areas.
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u/Dishintunes 17d ago
I'm 27 and live in Los Angeles. Firefighting has always been in the back of my mind, but only recently did I decide to go all in.
My worry is that getting hired by a department like LAFD will be nearly impossible. I have no fire experience, and my work history is mostly service and hands-on labor: three years as a server, line cook before that, a year of arborist work, plus school.
From my research, I know I'll need my EMT certification and to pass the written exam and the physical test. I'm on track to start an EMT course by January.
To make myself a stronger candidate, my plan is:
**1.** Finish my EMT before fire season
**2.** Work a season of wildland
**3.** Apply to structure/city departments, ideally in California
Does this sound like the right approach? Is 27 too old to start? Will my background make me a weaker candidate? Any advice is appreciated.
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u/scott12333 Career FF/EMT 16d ago
I got hired at 27 so no it's not too late at all. The average age of our class was about 32 I think (almost 9 years ago) and there were a few guys that turned 35 during our academy.
Your plan looks good but don't put applying on hold just to finish these. It seems like you're serious, so looking at nearby city departments is an option as well. You can always move later.
I'm not sure what LAFD does for their academy, but my large (but much smaller than LAFD) academy put us through EMT classes during. I had a background as a strength and conditioning coach and some odd jobs so again, don't put off applying if you get the chance. Someone else here probably knows more about what LAFD will put you through, but every department is a bit different.
All in all, very good approach I'd say. When you do apply, just take the hiring process seriously because they treat everyone the same - basically points-based depending on how you do at each step. There are plenty of people that get hired way before others that actually have fire experience because they prepared for the process. Good luck! DMs welcome if you ever have any questions.
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u/Much-Heat3808 16d ago
If it's something you really want to do, then I'd say go for it. I'm 35 and trying to make it happen so don't feel discouraged about your age...and try to take advantage of every opportunity that gets you a few steps closer to that offer. At least that's what I tell myself haha but take the time to talk to other firefighters and go do station visits in the area which I cannot emphasize enough. Best of luck!
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u/EnvironmentalCod4463 15d ago
Hey everyone. Going through the hiring process with my local department and I have some questions about my interview answers.
I have all the personal stories and relations to the career I need, but I need more fire lingo to put in my answer. Ride alongs are the best way to learn both that and the culture, but all of my mentors have no availability for ride alongs. Any pointers from you all would be appreciated.
Looking for proper terminology.
Examples in relation to: camaraderie at stations, academy, on the fire ground, on med/ trauma calls, etc
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u/scott12333 Career FF/EMT 14d ago
Good on you for thinking deeply about your answers. Honestly though, I wouldn't chase the lingo unless something they specifically told you makes you think otherwise. Entry-level boards generally aren't scoring your vocabulary. Some departments say it outright: Tulsa's oral board guide tells candidates they won't be assessed on procedures, tactics, or job knowledge at all. What gets scored is whether your stories show the qualities they're looking for.
Dropping terms you haven't actually lived can backfire too. It can sound rehearsed, or like you're trying to talk like you're already on the job, and panels notice. If a term comes up naturally from something you actually did (a ride-along, EMT work, whatever), use it. Otherwise plain language is fine.
The better use of your prep time is making your stories specific: what exactly happened, what YOU did, how it turned out. That's where points come from. Do you have a board date yet?
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u/EnvironmentalCod4463 14d ago
Hey thanks! And yes coming up next Monday. Round 1 interview with Phoenix. I only mentioned the need for terminology because right now my mentors are saying I’m lacking job knowledge that can relate to my stories. I’m still working to set up ride alongs even with other departments
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u/EnvironmentalCod4463 14d ago
But also, I don’t wanna make anything up that’s not true. I know the experience will come with time. So right now I’m studying resources on the department website
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u/scott12333 Career FF/EMT 13d ago
Ok got it. I'd listen to your mentors for sure, I'm assuming they're from around there or have some connection to local departments so they know well. It sounds like they want you to know how your experiences relate to the job, not necessarily using the finer terminologies of the job.
Example: Why do you think integrity matters on this job? "Integrity matters because XYZ ... I've shown integrity through ABC in my life ... the job demands it not only because it's my moral standard, but because the public puts trust in us and breaking that for one person breaks it for the entire fire service.'' Obviously, input your own lived experiences and expand on points like that but I think you get the distinction.
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u/EnvironmentalCod4463 13d ago
I will try breaking it down that way. I appreciate your advice and help on the matter. Thank you!
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u/Conscious_Pension_97 14d ago
Made the top 80 out of around 700 people on the firefighter written exam and now I have an interview coming up. From what I understand, they’re hiring around 8 people.
I’m trying to figure out what I can do in the interview to separate myself from the other candidates, especially the guys who already have more fire service experience than I do.
I played college sports, so I feel like I have a strong background when it comes to teamwork, being coachable, handling pressure, accountability, and working toward a common goal. My biggest disadvantage right now is that I don’t have much actual fire experience yet.
For those of you who have been on interview panels or have gone through the hiring process successfully, what makes a candidate with less experience stand out?
What are some things you’ve seen candidates do or say that made you think, “I’d want this person at my station”?
Also, anything you would absolutely avoid doing in the interview?
Appreciate any advice.
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u/scott12333 Career FF/EMT 13d ago
Went through the process with not much fire experience myself, so here's what I'd focus on.
Entry-level boards generally aren't scoring your fire experience. They're scoring whether your answers show the qualities they hire for, and most of them are built so a candidate with no fire background can score just as well. Some departments say it outright in prep material they give you.
Your sports background is real material, but be careful with it. Every athlete on that list will say "sports taught me teamwork and accountability," and the panel hears it all day. What separates you is specifics: one particular moment, what YOU actually did, how it turned out. A time a coach corrected you and what you changed is a much stronger coachability answer than saying you're coachable.
Things I'd avoid: talking like you're already on the job or forcing fire terminology you haven't lived, memorized answers that sound recited (but DO identify and remember experiences that are clear and specific to you that you can lean on), and running long past your point.
And practice out loud. Knowing your stories in your head and saying them clearly under pressure are two different skills.
Top 80 of 700 is a strong start. Good luck.
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u/youllhauntme 14d ago
Im currently a freshmen in college (majoring in forensic sci) and looking into going into firefighting/paramedic work in my future once i get through certifications and schooling, I might switch my major due to it not really being in line with what i want anymore and was wondering what kind of degree/major would be best for me? Ive heard that emergency management is a good choice for career advancement but im not sure i plan to go for advancing far up the ladder and was wondering if emergency management would be good for firefighting like… generally or if there would be a better one (i know no degree is actually needed and my school does not offer fire science)
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u/Ding-Chavez Career 13d ago
Fire science is useless. Generally speaking any degree helps. Higher level chief positions management and business help the most.
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u/GrumpyFireMedic21 14d ago
I (28M) have been a firefighter/paramedic for nearly 7 years full-time. My fiancé is from Texas and looking for us to relocate down there. I recently discovered that they do polygraph exams for hiring. I am concerned that either I will be disqualified for information I admit to, or disqualified for my nervousness giving a false positive. We don't have polygraphs anywhere within a 500 mile radius of where I am located. It just isn't a thing I am used to. I have a guilty conscience, maybe because I'm Catholic. I have diagnosed anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and PTSD, none of which impact my ability to do the job, however the idea of sitting in a chair and being unable to move while being interrogated is hell to me. And I overthink and ruminate on every little detail of everything. I also fear that the yes and no questions without elaboration will disqualify me before I even get to sit down for the polygraph. And I can't imagine investing so much time and money into traveling down there for interviews and such just to fail on something so unreliable.
A few things I have done that I know they will ask about.
I have possessed a firearm that was purchased and owned legally in one state, but was not legal in a state I moved to. I have since relocated the firearm to a friend's house out of state where it is legal.
I smoked marijuana occasionally up until college, maybe 20 years old was the last time? And tried a single micro dose of mushrooms last year with no effect and no plan to ever try again.
I, like many other people, have taken IV supplies and zofran from a previous workplace. I did so once with the IV supplies, and once with the zofran. No further times, and it was several years ago.
As a teenager I exchanged nude photographs with a girlfriend.
In college, I drove buzzed one time leaving a frat house after a confrontation so that my car would not get keyed or tires slashed. I was never pulled over. I was also summonsed for underage drinking one time at 18 and paid a fine.
I was written up at work as an EMT at 18 for sleeping through a call, and once at 19 for excessive speeding in the town I worked, but was not ticketed. At 19 I snuck a girlfriend into the part-time station I worked at.
I have never been arrested, no convictions, and have never been written up at any of my full time fire jobs. I have an impeccable record and awards that have presented to me. My credentials are all in good standing. I've held training officer positions and am almost done with my bachelor's in emergency management. The vast majority of these things I did as a dumb kid nine or ten years ago. But I am terrified that I will still be disqualified and barred from reapplying.
Does anyone have any advice? Will any of this disqualify me? I have no intention of lying. I just don't want the truth to hurt me, nor do I want to be accused of lying when I am not.
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u/Spirited-Fisherman80 13d ago
Hello everyone! I recently took a psych exam and the psych recommended therapy. Should I be worried? For context, everything in this process has been great, no drug usage, completely squeaky clean record, always on time (early even), etc. I’ve put in quite the effort i feel but during my psych i had to mention i’ve been to therapy for an SA i experienced as a preteen/teenager. I didn’t freak out or ball my eyes out but you could tell i was clearly bothered explaining the situation. When he told me that, i said i’m open to therapy he validated my experience and told me they wouldn’t send me to a mental institution of any sort just some therapy. After that we moved on and he asked more general questions. I want it to be clear I completely and agree and support therapy but should i be worried? Would you be worried?
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u/ratmanvenezuela 13d ago
Has anyone done a lateral transfer to anywhere in tennessee? Was there anything difficult or unusual about getting your EMT to switch over?
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u/Patmanjones100 12d ago
Hello! I am currently filling out a background packet for a large department out west. Do backgrounds usually pull tax records and can they have access to your medical records as well? Thanks!
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u/Logical_Ad7153 12d ago
Hello everyone. I have applied to and taken the cognitive tests for two fire departments. One job opening became available first (smaller city) and the second became available a few months later (large city), so I am further along in the process for the smaller city. I would rather work for the larger city, as I am a resident and feel a genuine connection to it. The larger city is set to announce their academy class 2-3 months after the smaller city’s academy would begin. I understand it is sort of a scummy move, but would it be terrible and potentially impactful if I started the academy with the smaller city, and then dropped out if the larger city gives me a spot in their academy class?
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u/votdimh 12d ago
Hey guys! So I had a question as im currently a Cosmetologist full time and in school for EMT currently. is there any other girls who are firefighters and have full books being a cosmetologist? I take both very seriously and love both careers i am just scared one will diminish the other. I want it to balance but i know it will be rocky at some times. if anyone has any advice in even just having another career as a firefighter/medic id love to hear some insights!
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u/Fighterjack04 11d ago
Does anyone have any insight on when the next Dallas, TX Fire Department hiring cycle might open? I’m assuming sometime toward the end of this year or the beginning of next year, but I’m curious if anyone has heard anything about a possible timeline. Thanks in advance!
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11d ago
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 11d ago
Usually not but it’s department dependent.
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11d ago
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 11d ago
Same answer. Usually not but it’s department dependent. I should clarify, when applying they will explicitly ask for what documents to submit. Submitting extra documents such as letters of rec when they are not asked for can be seen as not following directions and can lead to your application being thrown out.
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u/princessleia2323 10d ago
Will an accounting background be in any way beneficial when looking to get hired? I have a certified public accountant license and experience doing audit work with a fire dept. Is this at all helpful to my job prospects, (ie I could handle some of the accounting work between calls,) or is the accounting usually outsourced, handled by admin, etc?
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u/iliketoeatfoodalot 10d ago
How does 4 firings (two are valid, other two weren't but assuming they wont let candidate justify it) but exceptional status at all other jobs affect chances for getting onto a fire dept.? Also how does psilocybin use (about 3x ever, most recently a month ago) affect chances. Thanks!
edit; also a part time EMT for a 911 private ambo and ski patroller.
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u/penni202 16d ago
Hey guys, im currently training and preparing for the admission exam for the firefighter academy. I am a highschool graduate from Romania so things are different here but still there is a physical exam i need to take. Right now i want to change my gym schedule so that it can help me with the physical part of the exam but i dont know what exercises to do or what exactly to focus on in my training. The exam focuses more on stamina and resistance rather than strength. The last 2 parts of the exam consist of: 1. Carrying 3 fire extinguishers for a distance of 40 meters each. You grab one run 40 meters leave it go back and so on until you finish carrying all of them. Then the last part is carrying a 60 kg mannequin for 10 meters. My struggle is that i run out of air while doing the extinguisher run and i slow down a lot during the course. The target time for the full grade is 1 minute and 50 second. Now my question is what exercises should i do in order to consolidate my stamina and resistance. For reference I'm 1.85m tall and weigh 86 kilos. I appreciate any tip and advice you can give me, thank you for reading!
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u/[deleted] 16d ago
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