An undergraduate pre-med wanting to become a firefighter.

[Raihan]

Hi, I am new here. I have always wanted to become a firefighter as a kid. I beleive now is the time I have to pursue that goal. Does anyone have any advice on how I can become a volunteer firefighter? Like what is the actual process and the kind of exams I have to take and stuff? Oh and by the way I live in Flushing, New York.

[dday05]

Hi, I am new here. I have always wanted to become a firefighter as a kid. I beleive now is the time I have to pursue that goal. Does anyone have any advice on how I can become a volunteer firefighter? Like what is the actual process and the kind of exams I have to take and stuff? Oh and by the way I live in Flushing, New York.

You probablly should go to what ever fd is in your area and talk to the chief and see what is required. Not all fd's are alike in the process of getting on a dept. The actual process once you're on is you'll go to a fire school and you might even have to become an EMT. The training is'nt bad and I wish you good luck!

[Raihan]

just curious how long do you have to be in fire school,is it like 5 days a week for a year? I can't let training to be a firefighter interfere with my pre-med studies and my job.

[dday05]

just curious how long do you have to be in fire school,is it like 5 days a week for a year? I can't let training to be a firefighter interfere with my pre-med studies and my job.

From where I'm from we have 3 different levels.To be a vol ff you must take the "basic 36 hr class" which usually is broken up over a group of weekends.
There also is a FFI class which is 120 hours and then there is the FFII which is the 240 class to be a pd ff. I should also mention there is an 84 hour class that people take to add on to their 36 hr card and that bumps them up to a FFI. Usually the 84,120 and 240 is done seperate ways. Some training places offer the classes everyday a week or some places offer it like 3 days a week and weekends. It all just depends on your schedule and what works for you and what the offering body offers as well.