How did you get started?

[FD55]

I was wondering how everyone got started in Firefighting and what made you make that desicion to become a firefighter. I know why Im going to be one (Im only 16) but I was just curious how everyone else would answer the question.

[MOMO431]

I GOT STARTED AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, I THINK I WAS LIKE 5 OR SO..MY GRANDFATHER WAS A BATLION CHIEF FOR PENSACOLA CITY FIRE, AND I ALWAYS ADMIRED WHAT HE DID..I BECAME AN ACTIVE FIREFIGHTER WHEN I WAS 18. I WAS IN A TERRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT (AND ACCIDENT WHERE I SHOULD HAVE DIED) AND THAT MADE MY DECISION BECAUSE THE FIRE FIGHTERS DID A GREAT JOB SAVING MY LIFE THAT I DECIDED TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER. I AM NOW A LT. THE FIRST FEMALE IN MY STATION TO EVER MAKE AN OFFICER LEVEL POSITION. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST..AND GOOD LUCK. :D ;)

[Firebear230]

I got started as a volunteer firefighter when a co-worker convinced me to join up. from the basic training I received with the county fire service, I got to go to the fier acadamy and EMT school. From there, I got hired by a public safety department. We are fire/rescue and law enforcement, so, I went to the police acadamy also.

It seems like this field picks the people who are in it. I never thought about getting into this field, but, the doors kept opening up and I found myself in a career that I love. Before, I had no direction and no real career goals. I feel like I can make a positive difference in others lives, and that gives me a great feeling of accomplishment.

Good luck to you and stay safe :D

[BFDff630]

It all started with the Girl scouts.I was a leader and needed to get first-aid training but all I could do with first-aid was put on a band-aid so I took the EMT class.To get the con-ed I needed, I needed to be on a Dept.I loved doing the extercation but the first time I went in during a fire training I fell in love.And its been down hill since then :D

[nikp16]

my husband was in the fire department for about a year before I got interested. Three years now and still loving it!

all the best,
Nik

** in memory of the fallen **

[princessnbunkers]

It was in my blood. Plain and simple. As the youngest of 9 children (and only girl) I grew up in a firehouse. My dad was a single parent (my mom died when I was 3) and chief of his department. He had always held on to the idea that his baby would grow up to be a teacher, or a secretary, or a ballerina, but when I asked for my own turnout gear for my 13th birthday, he knew I was hooked.

As someone said in a previous post, you don't pick this career, it picks you. Firefighting is a passion. Be safe, be smart, and love every minute of it.
Best of luck to you.

[FDavis]

I got interested in EMS when my grandfather had a heart attack. I saw what the paramedics did to try and save his life. He died but, I realized that is what I wanted to do with me life. I am even going on to nursing school and I hope to work on Emergency Helicopters.

[FD55]

Thanks to everyone who gave a reply. I think it's cool to find out how everone got interested in Firefighting because there arent many female firefighters that I know. Thanks again! :D

[Michelle Latham]

I got my first taste of firefighting in the Navy where I was trained as a shipboard and aviation firefighter. I never really thought about it at all since every sailor is trained in firefighting! When I left the Navy I searched for a career that would make me happy and I stumbled upon an EMT class. I had always wanted to be a medic of some sort so I joined the class. One of my classmates was on the volunteer fire department and he convinced me to put in an application. I did and I was soon accepted onto the department! My training officer / deputy chief was a Saint! He took all of us Probies under his wing and put us through very challenging and intense training that had me hooked within a few days. I knew then that I was going to be a firefighter/EMT for life. Chris, our training officer/deputy chief, really made it possible for me to love the fire service. I'm a very timid person and he was always very careful not to freak me out. If he had been one of those loud yelling types I probably would have said
"Kiss my butt!" and left the fire service!
Chris died in the line of duty in March. Even though I miss him terribly and I'm very sad I'm still hooked on the fire service and I'm not about to quit any time soon!

[hctrouble25]

I guess it was in my blood too. My grandfather (who I never knew by the way) was a firefighter in England from the 40s - 60s. I got involved with a guy that was a Capt. on a local department but who had a thing about women firefighters...he didn't think they belonged. When I realized I had gotten bit by the bug and wanted to become a ff I broke it off with him after 3 1/2 years and an almost marriage and went to the academy. I joined a neighboring department to avoid him and everything has gone great since. The guys on my department are my best friends in the world, their families are my family, and vice versa. I do the job, no one gives me grief, and we all get along fine. You either have it in you to do this job or you don't. You will know soon enough which way it is. Good luck to you.

[MrCrowleyOz1217Y]

i guess you could say its in my blood also. my grandfather was a charter member on my dept. and my dad joined when he was 16. i just joined in may myself and im looking at scholls to get me a good job as a firefighter. ever since i was about 6 i said i want to be a vet but on the side i wanted to be a vol firefighter. my mind has been changed on that one and i love everything about firefighting. :)

[code3firefly]

I got started in Firefighting a little over two years ago. I had always wanted to be a firefighter (eversince I was 4 and watched emergency every day lol) but I went to college and put off joining the local Vol. FD untill my sister joined. I am now a paid firefighter and have gotten a great deal of training. I love it more than my former professtion of teaching. I guess that one person had said thatthe profession chooese you nad you dont choose it. Well that is true to some extent. I knew when I first joined that I would be consumed by it, and I have been. LOL. Best of wishes to all prespective and current female dragon slayers!! :D
Remember the fallen.....