im looking to pursue a career in firefighting can anyone help me?

[fighterfire7733]

I am having trouble getting my foot in the door does anyone have advice.

I am looking to get a career in fire fighting.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[CALFFBOU]

1. No one here is going to spoon feed you a career position. You need to do some leg work on your own.

2. If you want to be a Professional, please learn to write like one. You’re not in Jr. High anymore.

3. Spend a couple of dollars and subscribe to a job notification service like the rest of us. Here is the best one- www.firerecruit.com

4. And clean your room up. It’s a pig sty. (Edit- That was a joke)

Most likely you won’t say thanks, but you’re welcome.

[fighterfire7733]

Thank you for the advice.

[CALFFBOU]

The advice I was given was delivered in the manner in which you asked. You came in and did not ask politely. More like- "Hey I am new, someone give this to me."

I wrote my posting in that fashion for another reason- You’re going to need to be a little more tougher if my posting pushed you enough to call me an *** hole twice. I wasn’t even in your face.

If you want to go career, get ready for a para-military environment where people are not always nice and wont always jump for you because you want it right now. Learn to be humble, respectful, caring, trustworthy and over respect the people you’re asking help from.

It’s also important to remember that there is a huge difference between Volunteer and Career. You don’t just get voted in on the professional job and ride the truck a week later. It’s a whole other world and it take years of schooling, testing and PAYING YOUR DUES. I am sure you'll find out soon enough.

Here are some other websites for you to get on track-

www.firecareers.com/forum.cfm
www.eatstress.com
www.aspiringfirefighter.com

Bou

[Firemedic515]

1. No one here is going to spoon feed you a career position. You need to do some leg work on your own.

2. If you want to be a Professional, please learn to write like one. You’re not in Jr. High anymore.

3. Spend a couple of dollars and subscribe to a job notification service like the rest of us. Here is the best one- www.firerecruit.com

4. And clean your room up. It’s a pig sty.

Most likely you won’t say thanks, but you’re welcome.

BOU gives some great advice. I will expand on his points.

1. Use the search feature. All of the information you are looking for has been gone over about 1000 times on this forum. Don't expect everybody to spoon feed you information. You must understand that these same types of topics are posted every other day. Read, read, and read some more.

2. When you type out a post, take some time and proofread it for errors. We all make mistakes when typing, but when you misspell words and write poor sentences, it just makes you look bad. Nobody here knows who you are. While I'm sure you're a great guy, we can only go by what we read. First impressions go a long way in this business.

[carryon0311]

You've been given some very good advice from what sounds like experienced people. As a recent FDNY grad I can tell you that your mission will be to earn the respect of the members of the house to which you have been assigned. You do this by being early, seeing what needs to be done and doing it, studying to make sure you know what you're doing and above all acting like a professional at all times nomatter how minor a task you've undertaken. A good way to start would be remembering that you are not sending text messages to your little buddies on this forum and typing full, punctuated sentences. Spelling out the word "you" instead of a lower case "u" will not hurt you, I promise. Next, remember you are a volly nobody and should never curse or insult someone you've asked for help. I am a Marine combat vet and probably older than most of the guys in my house and it would never enter my mind to insult any one of them. It is up to ME to prove I want to be there, and so I do and put up with whatever is required, quietly and with respect. If you're serious about a career in the fire service, I suggest you lose your little attitude because nobody will change the way they do things to suit you. And if you do slip through the cracks in the hiring process, you will be swiftly dealt with if you make it out to a house. I advise a few more years to mature before you start trying to get on because you don't seem to me to be ready for this job.

[ffbam24]

Welcome aboard carryon. You got a great attitude and some great advice already.

fighterfire here is some advice:
Lose the attitude.
Learn to spell.

Many of us on here are more than willing to help. However, don't lash out at those of us that do because we didn't spoon feed you all the answers. I'm sure your friend that got hired can attest to that.

Good luck,
bam

[IFDFFENG20]

How did anyone ever get hired before the internet?

[carryon0311]

Much appreciated, bam. And to the young guy, I neglected to end my mini sermon by wishing you good luck as well. I still think a few years might do you some good but far be it from me to bag smash somebody's career goal. Just remember, respect, initiative and a professional attitude go a long way and are all we junior guys bring to the table until we can gain experience. Ask the right question the right way and you'll start unlocking doors. Good luck to you.

[CALFFBOU]

How did anyone ever get hired before the internet?


It got done, but with a lot less help and support. I wish I had all of this support network at my finger tips when testing.

[fighterfire7733]

To everyone I have insulted I am sorry, and I am sorry for my attitude. I only asked for help because I live in PA and in order to get a career in this field you most likely have to leave PA and on this website the closest place I found hiring is in SC.

All I wanted to do by posting this blog or forum was to see if there was anyone out there that belonged to a company that is hiring.

I am very sorry I was not thinking when i wrote the first and second letter.To anyone who gave me advice thank you, and if anyone reading this belongs to a company that is hiring that could let me no if there is an opportunity to join that would be nice. (Unless I am being to straight forward) I am sorry again I am not looking for a handout I am just looking for some advice.

[carryon0311]

Accepted without reservation. First thing you should do is decide where you'd like to work. Different areas of a state or the whole country have different hiring methods. For example, FDNY you take a civil service test, a physical, written psych, medical and a background check before you are hired. Some other place might do all of that plus an interview with a panel of chiefs. Some places require polygraph tests. Once you figure out where you want to go, take a walk down to a firehouse in the area and talk to some of the guys about what you should do to get the ball rolling. You may have to wait until the city or municpality is hiring. If so, do like you're doing now and stay involved with your volly company. I'll be honest and tell you that is somewhat looked down upon by professional firefighters but it certainly can't hurt you to use your time to train on equipment and tactics. Keep in mind that just like hiring methods tactics can vary from dept. to dept. so don't think volly time will tell you all you need to know. Other than that, get or remain in good shape and don't get into any trouble. I would go heavy on cardio and low weight hi rep type stuff but that's because I was trained that way. Again keep your nose clean and remember the somewhat rough lesson learned here ;).

[fighterfire7733]

Thank you very much carryon the advice is greatly appreciated. I have been keeping myself in good shape because I know that it is a very very physically demanding job and I have been running with my local fire department since I was 15. I no its nothing like professional but like you said it cant hurt and I will, and have had a lot of training that can help me.

I just wish I didn't have to do all of this stuff online, but if I wanted to visit a firehouses before applying I would have to drive 3+ hours for the nearest one.

I will take all advice and listen and use it and I appreciated again everyone's help and advice.

Carryon i have a question for you though.

I am new to the internet hiring and I was wondering how it works. Like how do I get in touch or fill out apps. online. Thank you very much again.

[nameless]

Thank you very much carryon the advice is greatly appreciated. I have been keeping myself in good shape because I know that it is a very very physically demanding job and I have been running with my local fire department since I was 15. I no its nothing like professional but like you said it cant hurt and I will, and have had a lot of training that can help me.


with volunteer experience, don't mention it around your company or in the academy. Just be happy you have some prior experience to the tools, equipment, and concepts of fire suppression. Most annoying this is when people talk about "well on my volly department we do...." or variations. If your paid place does something a certain way, thats how to do it.

Don't advertise it, just be happy you aren't going in blind. they'll probably know anyways when you start doing skills and its obvious it isnt your first time using a pump or making a plug.

[CALFFBOU]

fighterfire7733- Good recovery. There is a world of helpful people, advice and links on here. You just have to know who and where to ask.

I already mentioned the www.firerecruit.com website. That is a great start.

But- As mentioned before, I would figure out where you want to work, live and settle down there. Find out what is required and wanted in that area. (FF1, EMT, Medic, etc) Maybe look into an ambulance job as well for a start.

Ok- now here is the FREE site to get govt. jobs from and apply right on line. They save your Master Application for future use too. www.governmentjobs.com

Now if it were me and I was young and starting all over again, I would focus on Las Vegas, Nevada FDs. Lots of calls, cheap housing, great single life, lots of outdoor activites, if your a single guy- lots of single women, the lake, the river, the night life, snow skiing and more.

There is your starting point. Yahoo and Google search engines are your friends. Please hit me up if you need something more to go on.

[fighterfire7733]

OK thank you very much again if I have any questions i will not hesitate to ask.

Nameless thank you to, I will remember that if I get into another fire co.

Thanks again.

[carryon0311]

Carryon i have a question for you though.

I am new to the internet hiring and I was wondering how it works. Like how do I get in touch or fill out apps. online. Thank you very much again.

Uh, that's a toughie. What you could do is go to the web pages of some of the areas you're interested in. Many of them will have a link to their FD's page which may or may not have hiring info. However, a lot of them will have a contact e-mail you could use to ask a few questions. Like I said, every place does things a little different. Usually it's not an application type thing as much as filing for an exam. Keeping the volly thing quiet is a good idea like nameless said. You'll give yourself away the second you know something you shouldn't know yet but it's not so much being a volly that pros don't seem to like. It's the guys who automatically think they know the best way to fight fire based on volly experience that ****es guys off.

[ffbam24]

I just wish I didn't have to do all of this stuff online, but if I wanted to visit a firehouses before applying I would have to drive 3+ hours for the nearest one.That's a much better foot to start off on.

Question for you: Three hours? Surely you're not in a desolate area? Isn't there a department that protects you where you live now? That would be a good place to start to stop by and ask questions.
Just make sure you don't show up empty-handed. (i.e.: bring treats in the form of cookies, cake, pie, etc.)

[tnff320]

with volunteer experience, don't mention it around your company or in the academy. Just be happy you have some prior experience to the tools, equipment, and concepts of fire suppression. Most annoying this is when people talk about "well on my volly department we do...." or variations. If your paid place does something a certain way, thats how to do it.

Don't advertise it, just be happy you aren't going in blind. they'll probably know anyways when you start doing skills and its obvious it isnt your first time using a pump or making a plug.


EXACTLY!! I volunteer and I keep my mouth shut about it, because I know that a lot of vol. depts. don't teach you jack squat. I do my best to read and learn on my own, I suggest you do the same.

[carryon0311]

Just make sure you don't show up empty-handed. (i.e.: bring treats in the form of cookies, cake, pie, etc.)

Ooohhh, that's a biggie. Can't believe I didn't mention that. Good catch bam, you'd think a proby woulda thought of that. Yeah, bro, bring a nice cake or something, no Enteman's. And if you get invited in to eat said treat or even a meal, the answer is yes. Good info gets passed over the meal and firefighters like it when you show an interest in what we do.

[edpmedic]

I don't know where you live in PA, but I would suggest you begin your search in the MD/DC/NoVa area. There are plenty of depts. that accept applications continuously. The pay is decent, as well. I can't be sure of your chances at the moment, with the economy in it's current state, but you can increase your odds by applying to several different depts. at once. It's easier to get hired in SC, but the starting pay sucks wherever you go. You'll also be required to obtain ff1 and 2 on your own time, in some places. The Charleston area is beautiful, though. sconfire.net(or .com, I can't remember) has some current openings posted.

[kyle77]

carryon0311, WOW! FDNY, Great job, I, like fighter fire am looking for some advice to pursue a career in the fire service. Like you Im also a Vet. What was the academy like?

[fighterfire7733]

Question for you: Three hours? Surely you're not in a desolate area? Isn't there a department that protects you where you live now? That would be a good place to start to stop by and ask questions.
Just make sure you don't show up empty-handed. (i.e.: bring treats in the form of cookies, cake, pie, etc.)[/QUOTE]



The only places around here are volunteer and I do belong to one of them and I also talk to other people from other company's to get some info just in case there son or father went on to be a professional.

Thank you for your concern and input though.