I am preparing for Georgia Smoke Diver course in February. I have been hitting calisthenics hard, along with gear workouts and O course work. I just have a couple of questions in regard to nutrition and expectations from people that have attended the course before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi guys, I'm an Animal Control Officer and today I responded to a dead dog in a burned down trailer. I can NOT get this white stuff off my brand new boots. Please tell me there's a secret 😅

Found this randomly on Facebook. So much for vertical vent

I‘ve preordered several items at this online store and have not received it. I have waited over 2 years. I have tried to contact them several times over that time span by email and social media but no updates. There last post was over a year ago saying that they are still working on the R&D. Just want to know if they are still working on it or are they bankrupt.

https://www.ignitionusa.us/shop

I’ve recently been informed that i’d been Accepted into a VFD that has an academy that will provide me with all of my Certifications Education Etc. I just wanted to ask what is the best possible prep I can start doing for the entire month of December before the classes start in January?

Hey hey everyone! I’m looking for fire-resistant gloves that also provide protection against fiberglass. Any recommendations or brands you’d suggest? Thanks in advance!

Just bought a used Sam Houston. It's got some stickers on the brim. If I pull them off am I going to mess up the leather? Will I have glue/discoloration left behind?

I’ve been looking into the fire service for the past few months and I feel like i’m ready to make the jump into a cadet program. I’ve been looking into the OCFA cadet program as well as the SDFD cadet program, I was wondering if there was anyone who has gone through either program that can tell me how their experience was and if they recommend it? I am 5’3 and female as well or for reference I do live closer to OC but I would still like to consider all options. The SDFD cadet program would start January 10th and the OFCA would start in March next year.

Hey, I'm a 17 y/o cadet in training at a career school nearby. I've been undergoing Firefighter training aswell as eventually my EMT certificate. I've been wondering a few things and wanted to know if anyone could offer some advice + answer some questions.

For one. Is it common to struggle with self adequacy? I feel like I'll never be a good enough firefighter compared to my peers. I'm not strong like they are, and while I can often find rescue victims including other downed ff's- I struggle with believing I can fully pull off the rescue. In that time it feels impossible and it shuts my head off. I've been actively working on it and seeking support from my close peers, but it feels like I haven't made a dent in it.

Secondly, do you ever get over the feeling of the decreased mobility and textile sense with your gloves on? I know logically it'd make sense that eventually you'd get used to it and it'd become almost second nature...but is there potentially a way to speed up the familiarity? My partner in crime has suggested bringing home my gloves since they don't contain anything dangerous for my family, but if I can avoid that I'd like to.

Aside from this, any general suggestions for training and advice would be really nice.

16 years on the job and I'm finally getting edumacated. I'm in an online class and am writing a paper on nozzles. Super interesting, right? Anyway the only one I've ever really used is the Vortex combo. And beyond knowing the name I know exactly nothing about it. It's just one of those things I've never given any thought to. This is the reason I'm writing on the subject, to educate myself and hopefully pass this class. This is my final paper so I'm pretty pumped to finish. If you don't mind sharing: What nozzle do you use most? Make and model if possible. Do you have a reason why?

For me it's the Vortex by TFT and it's because it's what was on my truck when I got here.

I'm not looking for anyone to write my paper for me but now about opening my eyes to what's out there and being used so I have a starting point for research.

Thanks!

My son [two years old] just turned on our toaster and i heard the fire alarm after he ran back in to sit with me, so I ran i to the kitchen and the toaster was on fire m, so I unplugged it and threw it on the tarmac floor outside and called the fire fighters and they asked for details after and so I told them what happened and now I'm worried I'll be reported to social services, my worry comes from me being a foster child in the past

Hey there,

I currently live in Colorado, I’ve been a wildland firefighter here and just finished EMT-B classes and passing my NREMT exam. I was just accepted into fire academy for this coming spring semester as I am looking to exit the wildland world and become a structure firefighter.

My only problem is, I am looking to move to SoCal in the next year or two to be closer to family. Where I live in the Rocky Mountains of CO there are lots of firefighting opportunities, but I am wondering if I do fire academy here, will that even transfer over to California departments or would I have to take fire academy over again? Would you guys recommend waiting to do fire academy until I am moved to California, or continuing with the process here before I move away, maybe getting on with a department here before moving?

Any insight or advice is much appreciated.

Any advice on improving studying with only 2 examples for each section on CSE study guide for HFD?

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get my fiancé something special for Christmas since he always does so much for me. I need some gift ideas. I looked at leather helmets but I know they are expensive and with a wedding coming up I’m not sure I can spend that right now. Does anyone have any ideas? He has about 5 leather helmets already, he’s a huge wagon fan and I’m really not sure what to get him that doesn’t sound cheesy lol. Any help would be great.

I have been working my ass off for the last 4 years, overcoming setbacks and hurdles, grinding out and doing everything I can to get all my certifications and required testing. It looks as though I’m going to be in a recruit class in 2025.

The problem is, I still can’t believe I did it. I’m a smaller female, so it took a lot of changing workout plans, adapting and working really hard to get everything I needed.

Before, I was training to pass these tests and evaluations, now I’m training to be ready for the academy. It’s still quite a bit in the future, but I want to make sure I’m training everything I can to be prepared as best as possible. I know the testing is the “bare minimum”, so I’m going to work even harder now.

It’s my mental chatter that is getting to me now. I thought for sure I’d be in a different mindset. For so long, I just thought I wasn’t cut out for the career, so I poured myself into another career path. I made it my entire being, partially because I thought that it was all I could do. It was what I was meant for. Now, I’m having a hard time being okay with moving on from it, not enjoying it anymore, and focusing on preparing for my future career.

I guess I’m just looking for some words of wisdom and support in the process.

First let me provide some context. I was a volunteer EMT from 2009-2013 (don’t even get me started on the nonsense of volunteer ems) and I have been a volunteer FF from 2013 to present. I have been with the same department the whole time and spent two years as lieutenant. It is a relatively small department with a moderate call volume.

I know this is probably an unpopular opinion but to be quite honest volunteering sucks. The only reason I’m still involved in my department is because I took a clerical role that no one else would do. It took me a long time but I completely understand why people don’t want to volunteer anymore. Between the time and training commitments, the drama, the extreme whackers and the risk of injury or death all for nothing in return other than maybe a thank you every now and then.

The County has now condensed FF1 & FF2 into a single course that runs for six months two nights a week plus Sunday! How is anyone with a family, job or even just basic hobbies supposed to attend that without making extreme sacrifices? I told two people flat out that were thinking of volunteering not to waste their time because the academy or department schedule just wouldn’t be convenient for them with kids and work. In the back of my head whenever I’m doing something at the firehouse I’m always thinking how much of suckers we are for doing all of this stuff for free, especially for the Fire Chief who basically has a second full time job for nothing except a cool truck with flashing lights.

Maybe it’s just me growing more pessimistic in older age and don’t enjoy what I used to any more but this is just my general view anymore. Some of the volunteer departments ask for so much from you but in return provide little to nothing to you. I understand that’s not the point of volunteering but this is just my view.

Drag me in the comments all you want but I just had to get this off my chest because I really have no where else to. My friends and family simply don’t understand it and if I were to bring this up at the firehouse the reception would not be great.

Had a small flood downstairs from the washing machine, called 911 confused as it was going directly into 5 outlets and the water wouldn’t stop until 5 minutes before they got here. Was worried the water wouldn’t stop, they didn’t seem upset but it was a random call at 4am.

Welcome to the Weekly Employment Question Thread!

This thread is where you can ask questions about joining, training to become, testing, disqualifications/qualifications, and other questions that would be removed as individual posts per Rule 1.

The answer to almost every question you can ask will be "It depends on the department". Your first step is to look up the requirements for your department, state/province, and country.

As always, please attempt to resource information on your own first, before asking questions. We see many repeat questions on this sub that have been answered multiple times.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• I want to be a Firefighter, where do I start: Every Country/State/Province/County/City/Department has different requirements. Some require you only to put in an application. Others require certifications prior to being hired. A good place to start is researching the department(s) you want to join. Visit their website, check their requirements, and/or stop into one of their fire stations to ask some questions.
• Am I too old: Many departments, typically career municipal ones, have an age limit. Volunteer departments usually don't. Check each department's requirements.
• I'm in high school, What can I do: Does your local department have an explorer's program or post? If so, join up. Otherwise, focus on your grades, get in shape and stay in shape, and most importantly: stay out of trouble.
• I got in trouble for [insert infraction here], what are my chances: Obviously, worse than someone with a clean record, which will be the vast majority of your competition. Tickets and nonviolent misdemeanors may not be a factor, but a major crime (felonies), may take you out of the running. You might be a nice person, but some departments don't make exceptions, especially if there's a long line of applicants with clean records. See this post... PSA: Stop asking “what are my chances?”
• I have [insert medical/mental health condition here], will it disqualify me: As a general rule, if you are struggling with mental illness, adding the stress of a fire career is not a good idea. As for medical conditions, you can look up NFPA1582 for disqualifying conditions, but in general, this is not something Reddit can answer for you. Many conditions require the input of a medical professional to determine if they are disqualifying. See this post... PSA: Don't disqualify yourself, make THEM tell you "no".
• What will increase my chances of getting hired: If there's a civil service exam, study for it! There are many guides online that will help you go over all those things you forgot such as basic math and reading. Some cities even give you a study guide. If it's a firefighter exam, study for it! For the CPAT (Physical Fitness Test), cardio is arguably the most important factor. If you're going to the gym for the first time during the hiring process, you're fighting an uphill battle. Get in shape and stay in shape. Most cities offer preference points to military veterans.
• How do I prepare for an interview: Interviews can be one-on-one, or in front of a board/panel. Many generic guides exist to help one prepare for an interview, however here are a few good tips:

1. Dress appropriately. Business casual at a minimum (Button down, tucked in long sleeve shirt with slacks and a belt, and dress shoes). Get a decent haircut and shave.
2. Practice interview questions with a friend. You can't accurately predict the off-the-wall questions they will ask, but you can practice the ones you know they probably will, like why do you want to be a Firefighter, or why should we hire you?
3. Scrub your social media. Gone are the days when people in charge weren't tech-savvy. Don't have a perfect interview only for your chances of being hired gone to zero because your Facebook or Instagram has pictures of you getting blitzed. Set that stuff to private and leave it that way.

Please upvote this post if you have a question. Upvoting this post will ensure it sticks around for a bit after it is removed as a Sticky, and will allow for greater visibility of your question.

And lastly, If you're not 100% sure of what you're talking about, leave it for someone who does

I don’t make enough to live comfortably as a full timer at the moment. 32k a year with 3 kids and a mortgage is tough. When my probation is up and I have all my certs I plan to go to a bigger department. This was the best way into the fire service for me but I’m slowly regretting it. I love this job but I should’ve held out for a normal paying department.

I currently have a second job but hours get limited during the winter.

I’m just curious as to what you all do for second jobs? I’d like to start a small business but I can’t afford to take that kind of risk with my current pay.

I’d like to find something that even if I make enough to live comfortably as just a firefighter that I can keep doing on the side for savings money.

Any ideas on starting a small business that has a low startup cost? Or would it be a good idea try to find something in the trades to do and work towards a journeyman’s in something so I can do that as an independent one day?

I’m just looking for ideas, I know my pay is dog shit. Thank you all.

Hey folks! 4 year structural FF. Anyone here make the switch from Structural to Wildland Firefighting? Or even vice versa? In your experience what are the pros and cons of each? Which do you prefer?

I'm wondering what other people do in terms of rendering aid when you are off duty? Specifically what made me ask about this was today I was driving and came across a solo vehicle into a tree that had just happened. There was already another couple of cars stopped. I could see the airbags were deployed and it completely took out the walnut tree so it was a pretty significant impact likely with injuries. It was most likely going to require extrication given the level of damage to the vehicle. I chose to keep going. The person that was with me acted shocked that I would not stop and help out being I am a firefighter.

I explained that I did not stop for a variety of reasons some of which I included the fact that I was in my wife's car that only has a crappy little first aid kit and the clothing I was wearing would offer me no protection. I normally wear logger style wildland boots everywhere but today I was wearing lightweight shoes that would not even protect against broken glass. I explained that if I stopped I would be putting myself at risk with no benefit because I had nothing with to render aid. There were already people on the phone there so I know 911 had already been called. It was not in either of my districts. I saw no benefit to my stopping in only saw opening myself up to potential liability and risk.

In my truck I carry a medical bag similar to what we carry on the engines even with 02, airways, and collars in it. I have tools and some PPE. If I am in either the district where I volunteer or the district where I work I will stop and help if I can or call the dispatch landline, give a size up, and coordinate incoming resources.

I have done compressions and the Heimlich before in public as well and have no problem doing that. I've also stopped at wrecks in my younger days and felt completely helpless because I did not have the equipment I needed and just felt like I was in the way.

Anyway, I was just curious what you guys do.

Edit: the overwhelming consensus in the comments is that I was a little bitch and should have stopped. There were also some people that called me out saying if I didn't feel like stopping just say it and don't make excuses. I will admit I did not feel like stopping partially because I was sick. The person that was in the car with me was my 13 year old son. When I have my young kids with me I normally do not stop but he is old enough to stay put in my vehicle. I will have a conversation with him as well about making excuses and tell him I did not handle it as good as I could have. I need to set a good example for him. I also appreciate the perspective of people saying we can make a difference even if it is only to stop someone from doing something dumb on scene or giving a better size up for dispatch. That is a good counter to my feeling helpless there is nothing I can do argument. In any case I appreciate all the honesty on here. I like that it is not just an echo chamber patting everyone on the back.

I impulsively relocated for a career fire job because it was the path with the least resistance and an instantaneous result vs many longer and indefinite processes.

I was passionate - got through recruit school and got on the line and started to sour, I saw how the department operated, the department went through some tragic events for themselves and people involved and the more I worked the more it seemed everyone was miserable there or looking to leave the area/department. It soured me. I decided I’d leave end of January in an attempt to make it through the holidays. I started abusing sick time because I didn’t want to go in at all, and recently got myself jammed up where I’m expecting a write up or some type of discipline.

I hoped to move back home and pursue the career again but at this point I’m wondering if I can even make it through the next two months and I’ve just fallen into a bad mental space.

Has anyone experienced something like this before? What, if anything, did you to do get through it and was there ever a light at the end of the tunnel?

TIA.

I heard a lot that the FDNY used the XTS3500R’s for a bit and switched back to the Sabers that they had and went back to the XTS3500 after 9/11.

As the title reads.. I’m wondering what kinds of questions you guys would ask a prospective fire chief for your agency.