I want to be a firefighter

[Charlie6]

Actually, I'd rather be a paramedic, but they're one in the same (or you have to be one to be the other)

I'm going to get my associates degree in Fire Protection Technician

I know I can do it because I'm in pretty good shape and this would motivate me even more

HOWEVER...

What about 1)background check (I have a DWI)

2) polygraph test? Are these legal to do?

3)drug test? Ganja and roids?

Can somebody address these three please?
And do you guys have any other advice for a kid thinking about joining the FF force?

Thanks

[Knockout_Power]

much better than what I wanted to be when I was a kid... I always wanted to persue a career as a firetruck... or so my mom tells me

10 more cycles and and a Marcus red tan and I'll be there... at least Ive got the hose for the job

[MACHINE5150]

1) shouldn't that big of a deal
2) Can't beat those things, but i doubt they use them for firefighters..cops maybe, but not fire fighters
3) they don't test for steroids... quit smoking pot for a month before you go in and you will be fine..

[Charlie6]

Oh, I also had a bad foot injury a couple years ago, my foot was destroyed and rebuilt from a DBM, but it's good now. Would this still affect my ability to take this career path?

[Knockout_Power]

and btw, half the guys I know who are firefighters are on gear 365...

[MACHINE5150]

1) shouldn't that big of a deal
2) Can't beat those things, but i doubt they use them for firefighters..cops maybe, but not fire fighters
3) they don't test for steroids... quit smoking pot for a month before you go in and you will be fine..

[Charlie6]

1) shouldn't that big of a deal
2) Can't beat those things, but i doubt they use them for firefighters..cops maybe, but not fire fighters
3) they don't test for steroids... quit smoking pot for a month before you go in and you will be fine..

Thanks Machine. Do you know if they do a 5 panel test annually, or is there ever any type of schedule?

Only reason I say polygraph is 'cause I just watched a youtubve video of a FF Captain saying many times they will

[Charlie6]

much better than what I wanted to be when I was a kid... I always wanted to persue a career as a firetruck... or so my mom tells me

tehehe, hey being a firetruck would be pretty badass too, not gonna lie.

10 more cycles and and a Marcus red tan and I'll be there... at least Ive got the hose for the job

Holla!

[calgarian]

so I thought u wanted to be bar tender now u want to be a fire fighter?

[ReX357]

When I first read the title, I read "I want a firefighter". lol.

[calgarian]

When I first read the title, I read "I want a firefighter". lol.

it will come soon....where is DSM?

[DSM4Life]

No homo.

I applied this summer to be a firefighter. Still Waiting to hear back from them.

[Knockout_Power]

No homo.

I applied this summer to be a firefighter. Still Waiting to hear back from them.

so when will you be in a calender?

[DSM4Life]

As soon as Haz "lights my fire."

[ReX357]

As soon as Haz "lights my fire."

Let me guess, so you can put it out with your hose?

[stack_it]

Becoming a firefighter isn't easy. Here in stl they only hire one or two guys every 2-3 years. It's really all about who you know for the most part.

[Kingweb50]

My brother is a FF and he says dont bother with the associate fire degree. he says to just get the medic and firefighter 1 and 2

[MACHINE5150]

Becoming a firefighter isn't easy. Here in stl they only hire one or two guys every 2-3 years. It's really all about who you know for the most part.

this is true!!! it's very difficult to become a fire fighter.. everyone wants that job, and those who have it, rarely quit.

[stack_it]

this is true!!! it's very difficult to become a fire fighter.. everyone wants that job, and those who have it, rarely quit.

Yeah you gotta wait for someone to die or retire.

[Tigershark]

Becoming a firefighter isn't easy. Here in stl they only hire one or two guys every 2-3 years. It's really all about who you know for the most part.

That is what I heard as well. Seems Chicago is the place to be if you want to be a firefighter or a paramedic. My buddy lives there and said they will even put you through school.

[Knockout_Power]

and locally we are short of FF"s, para's and police officers

[Charlie6]

thanks for the advice, king. Somebody today told me that my tech school I'm going to now offers FF1. I can't find it on their website so therefore had no idea such a thing existed. I live in the midwest, I think there are jobs here for that. Or if not, I'd travel to where the job is.

[zimmy]

[FireGuy]

Actually, I'd rather be a paramedic, but they're one in the same (or you have to be one to be the other)

I'm going to get my associates degree in Fire Protection Technician.A degree will help and an AA is even a requirement for some departments these days. The fact that it will be as a Fire Protection Technician isnt applicable unless you plan on pursuing a position in Inspection/Investigations for a dept that does plan review for new construction.

I know I can do it because I'm in pretty good shape and this would motivate me even moreBeing in good shape is a requirement but it the usually a pass/fail test. If you get hired it will be on the basis of your aptitude test and interview skills.

HOWEVER...

What about 1)background check (I have a DWI) Yes that is a huge red flag and an automatic disqualification for many departments depending on how long ago it took place and what the rest of your driving record looks like.

2) polygraph test? Are these legal to do?Yes, some do some dont.

3)drug test? Ganja and roids?Yes again. Departments have almost always checked for recreational drug use and many are starting to test for AAS as well.

Can somebody address these three please?
And do you guys have any other advice for a kid thinking about joining the FF force?

Thanks

Lots of bad and just plain wrong advice in this thread.

[warchild]

Lots of bad and just plain wrong advice in this thread.

i was thinking the same thing fireguy, how do ppl think they know what the FD looks for?

[FireGuy]

1) shouldn't that big of a deal
2) Can't beat those things, but i doubt they use them for firefighters..cops maybe, but not fire fighters
3) they don't test for steroids... quit smoking pot for a month before you go in and you will be fine..

Really? No offense but that's completely false on all 3 accounts.

and btw, half the guys I know who are firefighters are on gear 365...

Maybe just a bit of an exaggeration? I am going to guess I know just a few more than you do and can also say this is absolutely false.

Becoming a firefighter isn't easy. Here in stl they only hire one or two guys every 2-3 years. It's really all about who you know for the most part.

Another Urban Legend. Most department testing is done through Civil Service. Unless someone finishes in the very top percentiles of testers he/she isnt getting job regardless of who they know. The part about hiring very few is correct. A normal test might draw 5,000 candidates which might typically involve the hiring of three guys. If you cant finish in the top 20 out of 5,000 you chances are slim to none.

Oh, I also had a bad foot injury a couple years ago, my foot was destroyed and rebuilt from a DBM, but it's good now. Would this still affect my ability to take this career path?

Yes, pre-existing injuries can and is a reason to disqualify you.


More.

[warchild]

Becoming a firefighter isn't easy. Here in stl they only hire one or two guys every 2-3 years. It's really all about who you know for the most part.

where did you here this? A academy is usually 4-6 months long with a minimum of 20 guys

[FireGuy]

i was thinking the same thing fireguy, how do ppl think they know what the FD looks for?

I was reading the replies and just shaking my head. It falls under the "If you dont know the answer guess".

[warchild]

I was reading the replies and just shaking my head. It falls under the "If you dont know the answer guess".

thats why the world is divided into 2 types of people...ffs and those who want to be ffs

[FireGuy]

That reminds me of the joke. You know what cops and firefighters have in common? They both want to be firefighters.

[Charlie6]

well shit, sounds like i might need to find something else to do

somebody help me figure out what else i can do with my life

[D7M]

well shit, sounds like i might need to find something else to do

somebody help me figure out what else i can do with my life

What are you interested in?

[Knockout_Power]

Maybe just a bit of an exaggeration? I am going to guess I know just a few more than you do and can also say this is absolutely false.

Isnt this a bit ignorant to tell someone that you know more about the people he knows than he does?

I know 5 firefighters very well (1 being my uncle) and 3 of them are on gear. Ive sold to 2 of them.

I wasent insulting the profession, I would sooner have a person in great condition coming to save me than someone out of shape or couldnt carry my 230lb ass.

-KP

[FireGuy]

Isnt this a bit ignorant to tell someone that you know more about the people he knows than he does?

I know 5 firefighters very well (1 being my uncle) and 3 of them are on gear. Ive sold to 2 of them.

I wasent insulting the profession, I would sooner have a person in great condition coming to save me than someone out of shape or couldnt carry my 230lb ass.

-KP

You are correct, I did not know you were drawing this conclusion from a pool of 5 people. In that case your statement may be true and I stand corrected. I will say I know hundreds of them and would say less than 5% have ever touched the stuff.

[Times Roman]

Oh, I'm a Lumber Jack (and I'm OK)

[Charlie6]

so it would appear that I could have a shot at getting in in a smaller community. But in the big city where i live, there is a union, plus they require a bachelors degree.

I just have to see if the Fire Service Certification (which gets you ready for FF1 & FF2 state tests) is closed for fall semester or not.


Can I still hypothetically have an application accepted at a fire station and begin their training program before I can take that state test? Before I finish my Fire Service Cert?

[Matt]

Talking about firefighters, i dont know if it happens over there but here its common for or firefighters to be attacked by groups of thugs. They will start a fire on purpose so they can ambush the firefighters when they turn up....

I would like to murder the bastards...

[Charlie6]

Talking about firefighters, i dont know if it happens over there but here its common for or firefighters to be attacked by groups of thugs. They will start a fire on purpose so they can ambush the firefighters when they turn up....

I would like to murder the bastards...

ummmm what? What possible reason would they have to hate firefighters?

[D7M]

ummmm what? What possible reason would they have to hate firefighters?

It's the UK, man...it doesn't have to make sense

[LawMan018]

this is true!!! it's very difficult to become a fire fighter.. everyone wants that job, and those who have it, rarely quit.

True. I joined the military as a firefighter. I think it's the easiest way to become a firefighter, if you put in the time. All your training is paid for... I have my Firefighter 1 & 2, Airport Firefighter, Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Technician, First Responder (A class will come along soon for EMT). I also have my licenses on countless trucks. As far as this being marketable? Meh... Air Force bases are "fireproof" so hardly anything ever happens. Volunteering for more experience along with these certs will put me way ahead if i decide to get out and become a firefighter.