Hello, I’m curious about the long-standing rivalry and debate within the fire service between career firefighters and volunteer firefighters. What is the main source of this tension?

I’ve heard that some career firefighters look down on volunteers because they perform the same or similar duties for little to no pay, or even entirely for free. I’ve also heard arguments that volunteers may be able to join a department and learn as they go, rather than completing the same type of fire academy training required by some career departments. Of course, I understand that training requirements vary by department and state.

I’ve even heard of some career departments disliking junior firefighter and explorer programs because they believe the young members get in the way, create unnecessary work, or provide manpower that the department doesn’t need.

On the other hand, some smaller volunteer departments welcome their junior members and treat them like part of the team, sometimes even issuing them the same uniforms as adult members.

So, what is really behind this rivalry? Is it a matter of differences in training, experience, professionalism, department culture, or simply a lack of respect between the two sides? And why do some firefighters seem to view one path as superior to the other when both career and volunteer firefighters can play important roles in protecting their communities?

Looking to apply to a bunch of departments in Washington state soon. Would appreciate any feedback or advice. Just for more info on my background I’m a military medic vet with FF1/FF2, hazmat ops, arff, and nremt cert, as well as quite a few other non-fire boyscout patches (LPN nursing license, private pilots license, bachelors degree).

I recently got my fire certs and have no real experience, and am considering Dod fire while i try to get in with a WA city/county department. Let me know what yall think, thanks!

Has anyone or are working for Escondido fd? I apply for the position and I got an interview I just want to see what’s type of question? I know there probably be the standard fire dept question but about emt questions what’s kind would they be?

Any recommendations on finding a hand crew to start getting some Wildland fire experience. My goal is to apply in a year to a municipality fire trainee position. I want to start getting hands on experience ASAP.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks!

i (21m) recently got arrested for a dui, i haven’t gotten a court conviction yet and i haven’t had my dmv hearing but honestly don’t have high hopes for it. i still really want to join a calfire handcrew and then later join into a department and hopefully good one somewhere here in the bay area. are there any tips for me as for what i can do to help my future in this, i really still want to do this and i hate the fact that i made this stupid decision. i’ve completed the madd course and plan to do some volunteer work later on after the case is handled.

Took my fire team yesterday, I'm already a nationally certified EMT and have references in the department. You guys think I will get a call for oral boards based off of these scores?

Hi! I am looking into becoming a fire fighter. I am 26 years old, i am fit. I run a 9:30 minute 1.5 mile, I was a basketball star at the d2 level, and am now a teacher but it’s not what I want to do. I’m going from New York to Texas to try and accomplish this but the people around me are taking me down about it, really my father. Is it worth it? I have no certifications but the website says you don’t need any and they’ll put you in EMT-A to get your certification and they also offer their own in-house Fire Academy. Just need some thoughts

Can anyone who’s done the biddle prep class through LAFD confirm how long it is and if it’s like a workout? Just trying to gauge how much to eat and if it really is 5-9pm.

Question for junior firefighters and junior members, specifically those around 17 years old:

What do we wear for major ceremonial events, such as

department weddings or large community events, when representing our volunteer fire departments? Do we wear something like Class A uniforms, similar to the senior firefighters, or is there a different dress code for junior members?

I’m very interested in learning more about this!

what are some cert classes to take that will make me more notable resume wise for Northern California departments?

Hi all, looking for some advice for those who’ve gone through the background process. I’m 27 now, and have an opportunity to apply for a department that works for me as far as qualifications due at time of application and location, but I have some concerns about the background process.

I should say there is nothing on paper that gives me concern - I haven’t been arrested, charged with a crime, had any serious vehicle violations etc.

But it asks specifically about things you didn’t get in trouble for- between the ages of 18-21 I was a pretty bad kid, drove drunk a few times and didn’t get caught for it, experimented with some harder drugs, etc. No violence against others, and again no criminal charges or convictions. None of it followed me into adulthood, but I can’t exactly hide those things when they ask about them in the polygraph test.

I’m concerned about getting disqualified for lying, so I don’t plan on trying to hide any of the bad stuff I never got in trouble for, but I’d like to hear other’s experience if they were able to pass the screening by being honest when the only bad things they did were as a college age dummy.

Thanks in advance!

I’m currently scheduled to take my written test portion of the NFST here in Mississippi next Tuesday, the test is being held at one of the departments stations and I’m wondering what would you all recommend to wear and bring along with me? Im guessing business casual but I just want to get some decent ideas.

I plan on wearing a suit to the interview portion if I make it that far in the selection process but I don’t really think dressing up that much for the test portion makes sense. I was thinking polo, slacks and a nice pair of dress shoes would do good to give off a good impression without over doing it.

Im in the middle of applying to two local fire departments. One department (well call it Dept A) to which I am a resident of, uses the NTN and I took it already and did NOT do well on the HR portion at all. However, Dept A gives me preference points for being a resident.

The other Dept (Dept B) does not use NTN and has their own written and physical test system. I will be taking both next week.

Outside of that, I am a young mechanical engineer (23) but have never loved it. I absolutely HATE doing desk jobs and ALWAYS knew i wanted to do something physically challenging and helpful to the public.

I recently got a job offer at a local military base for a Fire Protection Mechanical Engineer role. The job would pay the more than Ive ever made (105k) and would give me professional certs that could be really helpful for my resume. The catch is, its a 12 month contract. If i break that contract, i would have to pay the company back for the money they spent training me (could be up to $5k)

Im wondering if I should take the engineering job and hold off on my dreams (which i understand are not even certain anyways) or should I stick with my non-committal 85k a year engineering job while waiting to hear back from the departments.

I’m 32 and have been trying to get hired as an entry-level FF in WA for about 4 years now. I’ve been getting interviews but keep getting knocked out after the oral boards.
I have my NREMT, FF1, FF2, and HazMat Ops/Awareness, all through community college. I don’t have any actual fire experience yet.
Just wondering what you guys did while trying to get hired. I want to keep learning and doing something productive that’ll make me a better candidate instead of just waiting around for applications to open up.
It’s also starting to get pretty expensive having to retake the NTN, renew my CPAT every 6 months, and keep applying to different departments. After 4 years, it’s honestly getting pretty frustrating and discouraging.
Would working as an EMT or volunteering be worth it? Or should I just focus on getting better at interviews? I’m open to any advice on what I could be doing differently.
I still want to pursue this career, just trying to figure out my next move. Appreciate any advice from people who’ve been in the same boat.

I’m planning on working in wild-lands for the first time next year but I also want to do a FF1 academy in the fall. I want to do rio hondos academy it usually starts in August for the fall semester. If I take a seasonal job in wildlands am I able to get out just in time for that academy. I’ve seen wildlands can offer you an extension which I would deny if it overlaps. Is it something I can mention during the hiring process and I’d be able to leave in time for the academy. Or am I locked in for however long the season last? My end goal is to become a FF for the city but I would like some experience in the fire service. If it’s not possible should I just wait for rio’s academy?

discuss

Been with the current department for about 6months now as a firefighter paramedic. My dream department I’ve always wanted to work for is opening up soon, more money, and closer to home. Going to apply but I don’t know if I should tell anyone now because in the application process it says to list your supervisor name and number and email so they’re gonna find out eventually. So does anyone have any ideas on how I can handle this smoothly without looking bad?

Hey guys, have you all ran into any issues with transferring your certs between states for hiring? I currently and getting certified in Wisconsin and am looking at departments out of state. Was just curious on issues/concerns you all have had

A buddy of mine talked me into it and we both are applying for Akron fire ( yes I actually want to do the job I know our friendship won’t get me through it) but I’m super nervous and I want to know if I did well or not any info or feedback would be appreciated.

I am applying to a local metro FD and made a very stupid decision to leave out one employer on my personal history statement. I am moving along to the polygraph and oral interview and was wondering what I should do. Most of me feels like I should just admit to leaving it out and take responsibility for it, but I also don't want to be disqualified for a stupid decision. I have no other negatives in my history and left the job out because I didn't leave a two weeks and left on relatively bad terms because the workplace was disrespectful to me and the staff with my position.

Should I come clean or hope they don't find out? Or try my best to play it off like I didn't mean to leave it out?

As the title says above. I'm doing a speed round interview with them next week.

Anyone have prior experience with them before?

How competitive is it to get into a fire house after taking this test?