I wanna become a FF in a couple of years..any advice??

[littlemissemt]

Hi All-

I am an EMT who is in Paramedic school right now. Once I finish Paramedic school and have been working as a Paramedic for a little while I want to go on and become a firefighter as well (well, then I'll be a firemedic). I'm still pretty young (I'm 21).

Anyhow, since I am female, I would appreciate some advice from female firefighters out there. ANY advice that any of you have would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!!

-Alisa

[LouisianaMedic]

Alisha,

Well for starter's I am not female, but i will give you some advice, since you plan the become a firefighter down the road, why don't you join a local volunteer department now. That will give you some training and experience, along with helping your community as well. Also it will help you decide if you truely want to become Fire/EMS or just stick with EMS.

If you have any other questions feel free to email me...

Bob

[ptfd]

I love being a firefighter. I think that if everyone knew what a great job it is, everyone would do it, so good luck. I also am a firemedic. Getting hired as a firefighter is a job in itself, so dont get discouraged. Now, some pointers since you are female.
1) Upper body strength
2) Stamina
3) Learn that you will have to do it better and faster to be thought of as being as good. Not necessarily right, but the way it is a lot of places, just expect it and go with the flow.
I think that everyone in the fire service has to prove they belong, but women have to prove it to a further degree. That is just the way it is, so be prepared. But, once you prove it, you will have the respect. On getting hired my advice would be the same to anyone, volunteer, study and work out. It really begins once you get hired. Do everything that is asked of you. It is ok to get hurt, but swear about it, dont cry it will go a lot further. Show that you want to work. There are many ways to get around the strength issue. First of all work out, but it probably still wont always be enough. Get good techniques, put your whole body into it, use whatever tools are available. I am 5'7" and still not tall enough to close our engine doors, so I learned to stand on the tire. It all can be done, you just might not be able to do it the same way the guys do. If you wnat it and you act like you do and work for it, you will get treated like one of the guys. Good Luck.

[lilred]

I don't think I could say it any better than ptfd has already, but here's my two cents...

Upper body strength is a big issue, and it is the part that I think you will find you may need to focus on at first. But you'll also learn a lot about yourself and exactly how much more you are capable of than you ever thought you were. Simple things like push-ups do miracles for strength. Weight-lifting is important as well, but even bike riding, other things like boxing and martial arts -- they all go to build stamina, which is crucial. And, again, like ptfd said, improvise, improvise, improvise.

Don't be afraid to ask questions either. There will always be those on any dept who will roll their eyes as if the question happened because you have different plumbing. They'll get over it. You'll be tested, both physically and emotionally to see if you can handle being "one of the guys" but just stick with it, do your job, and you'll be fine.

And don't be afraid to give it right back to them. You'd be surprised how much respect you get for goodnaturedly telling someone to shove it, j/k :D

It's a challenge to be taken seriously and get respect at first. Like ptfd said, it shouldn't be, but it is, so you have to deal with it without a chip on your shoulder. Don't whine about how much the crap you get dealt sucks. Because believe me, it will. But you will earn respect eventually if you keep your nose to the grindstone and give 110%.

And when you're alone at home and it bugs you, scream, run, cry, fire off an angry e-mail to me, whatever, but don't ever let 'em see you sweat. Just hold your head high with a determined gleam in your eye and show what you are made of.

Good luck

-red

[littlemissemt]

I want to thank all of you for your advice. I have a friend of mine that does a lot of weightlifting and I am going to see if he will help me set up a routine to help me gain upper body strength, and there is a place that I know of that has Tae-Bo classes on Wednesdays and I am going to try and get into that too.

Thanks again for the advice.

Ya'll take care and stay safe out there.

[Iris A. Monge]

I'm going to do the exact same thing. I've alreay done the EMT thing, but unfortunately i did'nt pass the final (long story). But I WILL pass that class and enroll into Paramedic School...SOON That's the fastest way I can get into the department, as a paramedic. Applying with a volunteer dept. is a great way to start, but here's another suggestion... how about applying with the Unites States Forest Service? You can apply with an Engine or Hot Shot Crew. And believe me it's fun and it pays OK. You only work in the summer and travel all over the U.S. And in the winter, you can work as a paramedic with a private ambulance or a fire station and go to school and take some Fire Tech. classes. Well that's just an idea, but whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck and remember, have fun!!. I have to admit, I'm a little jealous that you already finished paramedic school!:rolleyes:
Iris