Becoming a Firefighter.Good profession?

[Desibaba]

I have a cousin who is considering becoming a firefighter.I personally think its not worth it to put your life on the line for 40 something grand a yr.But if you are just a high school grad without a record of any kind then maybe its not that bad considering you only pay like maybe 3 grand or so for the fire academy and EMT classes n bunker gear.And the course isnt that long either.What do you guys think? Is it a good job? it would be nice if some firefighters themselves could talk about their experiences from work and if they like it.Thanks

 

[Bob Smith]

Being a pro firefighter is very tough work, very physically demanding. IMO, its not a job you do for money or for an easy job. Its long hours (usually 24 on, 48-72 off) and you risk your life on a daily basis. These guys are a different breed than the rest of us, they have a certain mentality that you must have in order to be successful and love your job.

Some places only pay $40k, while some major metro areas easily pay $80k+. My bro's friend is a pro for the Bronx and hes at $80-100k.

 

[Desibaba]

Not for everyone thats for sure.How long is the EMT course and typically how much does the bunker gear cost?

 

[Bob Smith]

No idea, Im not a fireman. One of my friends is training for the physicals now, Ill ask him if he has an idea.

Call your local community college, a lot of them offer EMT courses.

 

[jayce]

Depending where you go there are different requirements. Most metropolitan areas and suburbs require firefighters to be paramedics for at least the first few years of service if not the entire time. To be a paramedic you have to go to EMT-basic school for one semester, work in the field for a while, then go to EMT-paramedic school which is another 9 mos to a year.

Many departments require you also have a 240hr firefighter training course but most depts will put you through that at no cost after you are hired. Some will even reimburse you for medic school. I have yet to hear of a metro area dept require their firefighters to buy their own gear. Maybe some more rural areas or poorer municipalities might but it isn't common enough that I have heard of it and I have been in the field for 6 years.

Many depts in my area start at 40K+ a year and top out around 80K+. That is of course without overtime. That also isn't the payscale for officers if you decide to go that route. Most are 24/48 shifts but many also have standard 8-hour shifts also for part-timers, higher ranked officers (ie chief), and full-times going to school.

Hope this answered some questions,
Jayce

 

[Desibaba]

Thanks.My cousin is here with me in the miami area and thats what he has been bugging me about.He just turned 19 and has wanted to do this for a long time.From what i asked a few people you have to pay for your Fire academy school and then your EMT.And then try to get a job within 6 months of completion of the EMT course.He said you will have to pay for the bunker gear and the cost for all three would come out around 3 grand or so.

 

[Desibaba]

Oh yeah and by the way can you get a student loan to pay for these classes/courses?

 

[boberto]

I know in the northwestern states they train people to fight wildfires every year, it is sort of like a basic training type course and pretty much an on the job training thing, with all the cpr and stuff like that thrown in with it, I am not sure if that would qualify a person as to the degree aspect of this profession but a lot of times experience counts as education, I know these guys/gals don't make much and like was stated above they put in some long assed hours usually in places not many people would want to be.........

 

[jayce]

Oh yeah and by the way can you get a student loan to pay for these classes/courses?

where I live, we have an extremely nice community College that people come from out of state to attend. They have all the EMT and Firefighter courses there. Since they are at a college, they qualify as college credit and therefore can be paid with student loans, grants, scholarships, etc. Prob same down there.

After he gets his EMT basic, tell him to get a job at a private ambulance company such as AMR or Rural Metro, they should be in your area. Many full-time firefighters work part-time for private ambulance so he can get to know people in the field that way. Always helpful when interviewing for positions as firefighter jobs are ultra competitve. He will also get inside info on test dates and training tips from veteran Firefighters who have been there and possibly administer the test.

Working there will also get him some valuable hands-on experience with EMS. This will make sure he will actually want to work in this field. Not all fun and action like alot of young bros think. Tons of down time and BS to put up with too. He should keep that job at least part-time while he goes to medic school too. It will be an advantage for him to see first hand what he is learning about in school. It will help him develope his skills faster. Nothing annoys us paramedics more than a rookie who has never worked in the field before. All the knowledge but none of the ability to apply it. Very dangerous in this field and an easy way to earn a bad reputation. And believe me when I say that a bd rep in EMS will follow you forever.

If he has any questions or needs info feel free to give him my email addy.
Jayce
jayce@hush.com

 

[Desibaba]

Oh and by the way i know they test for rec drugs and see if you have a criminal record but do they test for steroids.He hasnt done any cycles recently but he is worried about some past deca use a few months ago.

 

[01dragonslayer]

It is THEE absolute best job in the world and I wouldn't give it for anything. I can't imagine doing anything else. Its exciting, its something different everyday, and its fun. IMO theres no feeling in the world that can compare to running into a fully involved structure fire or reviving someone from an MI. And the relationship that you have with coworkers is different from that of any other. Where else in the world would someone put their life on the line to save yours. I would do ANYTHING for my fellow firefighter and they would do the same. I encourage anyone who has any interest in it. You won't regret it. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions......ds

 

[Fast Food]

Being a pro firefighter is very tough work, very physically demanding. IMO, its not a job you do for money or for an easy job. Its long hours (usually 24 on, 48-72 off) and you risk your life on a daily basis. These guys are a different breed than the rest of us, they have a certain mentality that you must have in order to be successful and love your job.

Some places only pay $40k, while some major metro areas easily pay $80k+. My bro's friend is a pro for the Bronx and hes at $80-100k.

thats rare tho for those paychecks....

 

[Desibaba]

What about steroid testing? Some firefighters are IFBB pros(such as Rodney St cloud).

 

[nick e. guns]

Yeah but Rodney WAS a firefighter and Ronnie Coleman WAS a police officer. The higher-ups aren't idiots and don't like being made to look stupid. Last I heard Rodney St. Cloud was a dick dancer.

 

[jayce]

Coleman competed and was a police officer at the same time. Drug testing where I work and in the military was always just for the big rec drugs. Opiates, pot, etc. Never had anybody tested for steroids.
Jayce

 

[Slick Arrado]

Don't go work for AMR. I did and they suck all-around. All I heard, from many stations in different regions, was how they needed to get there shit together. I agree. Some fire departments will take the right candidates and, when they've rounded up enough of them, put them through their own fire academy which is roughly 5 months long. Not a bad profession.