Fresh Meat

[SpeedKing05]

Alright so I just graduated High School last month via an online program and I've had my heart set on being a Firefighter for years now. Obviously I can't do a whole lot now until I'm 21, but where should someone like me start? Enroll in am EMS class of some sort? Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. Very excited about the future!

[philfirerescue]

If you can get involved on a Volly department and get your feet we that way that would be a good way of seeing if you want to be a firefighter. Besides that, getting your EMT is helpful (if not required).

You may want to talk to a military recruiter. Since many Vets will be coming home, it will be hard to get a job over them. Plus, they could put you through a fire school. I'm not a vet, I lucked out and got on. Sort of depends on your area, but EMT class might be a good first start.

[pyrotyro]

Im very much in your shoes as well, and it is very daunting to see all the people on here that put a huge amount of time and work into getting on a dept! What a challenge lays ahead

I just joined my local volunteer dept (was on a fire just this evening )
I am going to school for an exercise science degree
I am working on my EMT (test soon!)
I have gone through a fire academy at the local community college
I am taking my first test this weekend in the big city

Theres a ton of things you can do to prepare yourself! Dont wait around

[ckjibber]

Prepare for a long road...
Make sure it's what you truly want to do, because you will be sacrificing a ton to get in the position of having a badge. These guys are giving you some great advice.Here is a little more. Keep a positive attitude, open ears, follow through with everything you say and STAY IN SHAPE! The long term EMT's and guys that seem to develop bad attitudes also seem to be the one's with a RedBull in one hand and a Big Mac in the other.
Just to give you an idea, this is where I am at and what I have done, keeping in mind I do not have a badge yet.
-1 Season w/ Forest Service hand crew
-5 Years Active Duty Coast Guard
-7 years of construction and construction management
-1 year as an EMT working on an ambulance
-576 hr firefighter 1 academy
-Associates degree in Public Fire Service
-Bachelors degree in Organizational Leadership
-Classes in Anatomy and physiology in preparation for medic school
-A bunch of certs
Just have fun with it, it's not going to be easy but it helps being around guys that want the same thing as you.
Good luck man

[CaptOldTimer]

Alright so I just graduated High School last month via an online program and I've had my heart set on being a Firefighter for years now. Obviously I can't do a whole lot now until I'm 21, but where should someone like me start? Enroll in am EMS class of some sort? Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. Very excited about the future!

Enlist in the Military and get an education in there.