Where my hose at?
June 16, 2007 12:21 PM Subscribe
Becoming a firefighter.
I'd like to know anything and everything under the sun that can help me work towards becoming a fireman. Socially, vocationally, professionally, financially, geographically, etc.
I'm currently going through an EMT-training course. I've been advised the best route is to extend my practice to becoming a full-fledged medic, and then a fireman.
Given this direction, I'd like to know all things that can help promote my standing and give me the best chance towards rising to the level of firefighter.
I'd like to know anything and everything under the sun that can help me work towards becoming a fireman. Socially, vocationally, professionally, financially, geographically, etc.
I'm currently going through an EMT-training course. I've been advised the best route is to extend my practice to becoming a full-fledged medic, and then a fireman.
Given this direction, I'd like to know all things that can help promote my standing and give me the best chance towards rising to the level of firefighter.
Many of these regional and community colleges near you will offer A.A. Fire Science degrees, which are firefighter feeder programs.
posted by frogan at 12:46 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by frogan at 12:46 PM on June 16, 2007
Don't neglect physical conditioning. Work out with weights regularly.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:51 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:51 PM on June 16, 2007
Physical fitness is a big thing to get in - make sure you're in very good shape. Not just with weights, but running/jogging as well (and you'd continue with those as a firefighter - the guys from the engine house down the street from me go jogging through the area in groups to keep in shape). Here there are tests for recruits to assess fitness, and they have a reputation as pretty rough.
This page says it runs down some basic areas that are tested.
posted by dilettante at 1:05 PM on June 16, 2007
This page says it runs down some basic areas that are tested.
posted by dilettante at 1:05 PM on June 16, 2007
Wildland fire experience doesn't hurt. The hot shot crews might be full, but the Southwest is expecting a terrible fire season and they'll need ground crews like mad.
Betting that if you stop by a Forest Service office, someone with your experience would find something to do.
posted by lilithim at 1:34 PM on June 16, 2007
Betting that if you stop by a Forest Service office, someone with your experience would find something to do.
posted by lilithim at 1:34 PM on June 16, 2007
Where are you located?
A related degree is good.
Take & pass the CPAT if you can. (Physical agility test)
Being an EMT might help, it just depends on the department. Volunteer experience is always good.
Check the forums at firehouse.com - good info there as well.
posted by drstein at 2:42 PM on June 16, 2007
A related degree is good.
Take & pass the CPAT if you can. (Physical agility test)
Being an EMT might help, it just depends on the department. Volunteer experience is always good.
Check the forums at firehouse.com - good info there as well.
posted by drstein at 2:42 PM on June 16, 2007
If you get the job you'll certainly have to brave some serious heat, but the stories of the few people I've known who became firefighters have led me to believe the gauntlet of flame they had to run through to get hired made most of the actual calls seem pretty tame.
Everywhere I've lived, there has been a lot of fierce politics around the racial and sexual composition of the fire department, and talk of nepotism and influence. Don't let things like that necessarily discourage you, but I think you might want to find out what you can about the floor plan of that particular burning building before you decide how best to break into it, and whether it's worth your time and energy in the first place.
posted by jamjam at 3:42 PM on June 16, 2007
Everywhere I've lived, there has been a lot of fierce politics around the racial and sexual composition of the fire department, and talk of nepotism and influence. Don't let things like that necessarily discourage you, but I think you might want to find out what you can about the floor plan of that particular burning building before you decide how best to break into it, and whether it's worth your time and energy in the first place.
posted by jamjam at 3:42 PM on June 16, 2007
If you are in a small town, join the volunteer department. In Virginia at least, you can get some great, certified training that way, as well as some experience.
posted by 4ster at 5:21 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by 4ster at 5:21 PM on June 16, 2007
Population 485 is a great book about a volunteer firefighter who started out as an EMT.
posted by drezdn at 6:53 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by drezdn at 6:53 PM on June 16, 2007
Play one in a movie, sell stuff to one or sue one?
(Sorry, I couldn't resist)
posted by crabintheocean at 8:53 PM on June 16, 2007
(Sorry, I couldn't resist)
posted by crabintheocean at 8:53 PM on June 16, 2007
Thirding the physical conditioning. Between hose, lines, turn outs and tools, you'll be doing everything with 100 to 150 pounds of extra weight on you, all of the time. You won't have dexterity, not with the gloves, but you can't count on brute force all of the time.
The true attribute of the firefighter, however, is thoroughness. Firefighters and citizens die when you skip checks, forget the self rescue rope, run by that closet, ignore the standpipe in the corner, fail to ventilate that back room, and so forth. The rescue drill is complex, and you need to hit every mark, every time -- or someday, somebody dies that shouldn't have.
That's the hardest part, in my eyes. Can you do that, every time, no matter how hot the air and how heavy the hose?
posted by eriko at 9:16 PM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
The true attribute of the firefighter, however, is thoroughness. Firefighters and citizens die when you skip checks, forget the self rescue rope, run by that closet, ignore the standpipe in the corner, fail to ventilate that back room, and so forth. The rescue drill is complex, and you need to hit every mark, every time -- or someday, somebody dies that shouldn't have.
That's the hardest part, in my eyes. Can you do that, every time, no matter how hot the air and how heavy the hose?
posted by eriko at 9:16 PM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Wander into the local firehouse and ask around...most of the guys are pretty cool about talking to peoples.
I passed the written tests with ease, the physical portion can be killer.
You can find out what sort of test your department will have, some have specific fire science questions and some are just general SAT/ASVAB type tests to make sure you can read and think a little.
If its the fire science type, sometimes the city will give you a study guide when you sign up for the test, but there are also books out there, just search fire study guide on amazon or at the bookstore.
Some cities have volunteer depts which are desperate for help, some paid departments have volunteer auxiliaries which will get your feet wet.
Research your cities' requirements and points system carefully to see if there's anything you can do to improve your chances because when it comes right down to it, its a civil service exam and sometimes scores don't matter, politics do :/
As another option, the Air Force has firefighters as a rating
posted by legotech at 11:47 PM on June 16, 2007
I passed the written tests with ease, the physical portion can be killer.
You can find out what sort of test your department will have, some have specific fire science questions and some are just general SAT/ASVAB type tests to make sure you can read and think a little.
If its the fire science type, sometimes the city will give you a study guide when you sign up for the test, but there are also books out there, just search fire study guide on amazon or at the bookstore.
Some cities have volunteer depts which are desperate for help, some paid departments have volunteer auxiliaries which will get your feet wet.
Research your cities' requirements and points system carefully to see if there's anything you can do to improve your chances because when it comes right down to it, its a civil service exam and sometimes scores don't matter, politics do :/
As another option, the Air Force has firefighters as a rating
posted by legotech at 11:47 PM on June 16, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Quietgal at 12:27 PM on June 16, 2007