Help with direction

[arizonachef]

I'am a 37 year old male making a life change to do something I have wanted to do for a while. I am gonna try to pursue a career in firefighting. I know age doesn't matter but at my age I'm wondering if it's a waste of my time. Point being I need to know what the chances are or alternatives if I can't get hired. Also what is the right direction for me to be going besides the fitness part. I'm enrolled in a EMT-B course starting in January. There are so many departments in my area do I need to contact all of them? I'm in Denver area.

[Jonnee]

I'am a 37 year old male making a life change to do something I have wanted to do for a while. I am gonna try to pursue a career in firefighting. I know age doesn't matter but at my age I'm wondering if it's a waste of my time. Point being I need to know what the chances are or alternatives if I can't get hired. Also what is the right direction for me to be going besides the fitness part. I'm enrolled in a EMT-B course starting in January. There are so many departments in my area do I need to contact all of them? I'm in Denver area.



You need to contact the HR [Human Resourse] department for the city that you have a desire to become a firefighter with.

You can google any city govenment and once you find one that you might like, look on their web site for 'employment' and their HR department and make contact with them.

Some departments maybe and may not be hiring at this times. You need to look at those listed within this site too.

Your age may have an effect on you depending on what the city's requirement for retirement is. example > New York, NY [FDNY], is civil service with a union contract of retirement at 20 years of service but you have to go at a certain age for example hired at 40 which will not happen at the FDNY, they cutoff is something like 30'sh. See the thread for FDNY and go through that to see.

[yjbrody64]

Hey AZ chef, welcome to the forum. I'm in CO too and understand their are a lot of depts in and around denver.

I would suggest starting with this link:

http://www.drcog.org/index.cfm?page=FIRE

It's a link to the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and you can take one test to apply to 13 local depts. There's a list on the site of all the depts and you can check 'em out when you have time, but it's a great way to make the most of your time.

If a dept is hiring (and that's a big if these days) they contact applicants based on your score on the test and your certs.

Just a thought, but check it out.

Good luck to ya. :D

[arizonachef]

I registered for the drcog test for November. So I will see how that will go. I just wonder if i'm wasting my time I know it takes some time to get hired. So what happens if it takes 2-3 years and now I'm 40.

[CALFFBOU]

Some thoughts-

- Age is not a factor. You bring more to the table with experience, maturity and life experiences. Please do a search here on age and hiring, lots will come up.

-Do NOT wait on anything. If I asked you the question- "What have you done to prepare yourself for the position?" What would your answer be- I have been waiting?

-DO NOT SIT AROUND WAITING. You're wasting time. Start the fall EMT class now. If you cant get one, find a local CPR class some where. Start studying for EMT now.

-Starting getting in shape now.

-Take some local classes to self improve- Writing, speech, English, math, mechanics, auto shop, welding. Anything to better yourself.

-Do you know how to interview? My money is on no, most people do not. Go look up Toastmasters. Take any class you can at a local college or community center.

-Take the CPAT as soon as possible. If you fail, you know what you have to work on for the next time. The card should be good for a year, so take it soon.

-Go volunteer some where. What have you done to give back to the community? Are you a selfish person? If so, we will see it in you. Go give something back, not just to get a job, but because you want to.

Lastly- If you are going to focus on just one department, you are only hurting yourself. Take all the tests you can, get on all the lists you can and test out of state. It takes a while to get good at the process.

Also find more info at- www.eatstress.com

Bou

[arizonachef]

Thanks so much for the info. I am registered to start a EMT program offered here by west metro fire. I also will be taking the DRCOG test in November. I have started getting more serious about getting in shape. I will go do some volunteer work now that you mentioned it. Is there any requirements to volunteer? Again thanks for the information.
Donald

[chiefbv1800]

Check out this link, it might help:

http://socyberty.com/work/how-to-become-a-career-firefighter/