Hi all,

I’m a Massachusetts native but have been moving around the US for a few years. I’m with Dallas Fire, i have my paramedic cert, and have been considering moving back. Can you help me understand the process?

1. Can I set up a PO Box to establish residency? I don’t want to make a move and abandon my current position to have to wait an unknown time before getting on with another department.

2. How long is the list to join normally? Is there a hiring shortage now? Is there a surplus?

3. Do you do a polygraph? I haven’t seen one mentioned and I’m curious since we have a polygraph done in TX. What can I expect in the poly test?

4. What other MA departments should I consider with my paramedic cert? Are the schedules, pay, benefits different among them?

I appreciate any direction you can provide. Thank you!

Hello. I’m currently an engineer medic in Arizona looking to relocate to Oregon/washington near the coast. I was just looking for recommendations on good, progressive, and well paying departments, and ones that take laterals preferably! Thank you!

Hi guys, I am 22 years old and I am very happy to say that now in December I am going to start collaborating in the volunteer fire department of my city. For now, the role I have been offered is that of radio operator, and I am very happy to be useful. However, I would like to ask for advice from those of you who have been in that role, what things to keep in mind, how to emotionally handle difficult calls, etc. Anything you guys want to share is welcome!

Why does the US, a country 4x the population and 27x the size of Germany have less firefighters?

US: 1 041 200 volunteer and career firefighters
Germany: 1 074 323 volunteer and career firefighters

US: 29 452 fire stations (479 stations per 100k sqare miles)
Germany: 24174 fire stations (10816 stations per 100k square miles)

Is that maybe (part of) the reason for higher civilian and firefighter fatalities? Or is that stemming from different reasons such as building style, tactics and equipment?

US: 3670 civilian deaths by fire in a total of 1 388 500 fires (264 civilian deaths per 100k inhabitants)
Germany: 373 civilian deaths by fire in a total of 229 497 fires (162 civilian deaths per 100k inhabitants)
US: 93 LODDs during 25 200 500 calls (3,69 LODDs per 1M calls)
Germany: 0 LODDs during 3 417 611 calls...

Do you think the US fire service is appropriately sized for the amount of calls, inhabitants and sheer landmass and are the germans totally overdoing it? Or could the number of both civilian and fire personnel deaths be reduced by getting more firefighters and stations?

Sources:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/us-fire-department-profile
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/fire-loss-in-the-united-states
https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/search?deathDtRange=2023&
https://atemschutzunfaelle.de/unfaelle/de/2022/
https://www.feuerwehrverband.de/presse/statistik/
All german numbers are from 2022, all US numbers from 2022 or 2023

Pros and cons of personal bail out kits? (Also what personal safety/rescue devices do some of y’all carry?)

I love volunteer firefighters, nothing against them at all. Yall have paved the way for everyone after you. This is just one of the few professions that hasn't evolved past that, there's still volie firefighters across the country. While politicians use money on meaningless nonsense that doesn't benefit anyone and these folks get shafted. I would love to see the day everyone is a paid firefighter. Respect to all the volie firefighters out there, I'll always have yalls back.

Edit: I just wish that we had some state funding that would be allocated for these smaller/ rural areas to have some fire presence. It just seems like an issue that's chronically overlooked when it comes to spending. I'm not expecting the residents of every small town to fund their own municipal fire dept. I know it's a pipe dream.

I wanted to hear some feedback on this, because I’m getting mixed opinions it. I feel like the risk with our turnout gear can be greatly exaggerated. From what I’ve seen in articles and researching, it seems like the risk from clean gear alone is extremely low.

It seems that well maintained clean gear isn’t really a risk factor, and the pfas don’t come out of the fabric unless heavily degraded which is why we retire degraded/old gear.

But after all of that, I go online and see people saying that our our gear is giving us cancer or “killing us”. It’s very hard to tell what the risk actually is, and I’m curious if anyone has any info or feedback.

I am hoping to get into the Calgary fire departments, I’ve done a good amount of research on the hiring process but I was just wondering if I could talk to someone already on about the day to day

Hello!

A good amount of departments near me transport with a few having their firefighters either work their 24 hours on the ambulance or fire apparatus. Transporting is becoming more common in my area and I’m sure nation-wide as well. Just curious what the consensus is on transporting for 24 hours as opposed to 12 hours? For reference I am not currently working in the field just weighing my options

Hi guys, Didn't see anything when I searched for it. Was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for good Christmas movies to watch at the fire hall with the crew to get in the spirit of the season.

Thanks!

I’ve been a firefighter for just over two years, and while I genuinely love the job and the sense of purpose it gives me, the pay just isn’t cutting it. I’m in the South, making around $14/hour, and I feel like I’m constantly struggling to make ends meet—especially with the rising cost of living.

In my department, we move out of the backseat really quickly due to staffing issues, which adds to the stress. We’re supposed to get a 15% raise next year, but even then, it feels like I’ll still be making pennies to literally run into burning buildings. On top of that, I don’t see much room for long-term growth here, and honestly, this isn’t a place I want to spend the rest of my life.

I’m in my mid-20s, and I feel like now is the time to make a big decision, or I’ll just stay stuck. I’ve been wrestling with two options: 1. Leaving firefighting altogether to pursue a career with better financial stability. It’s tough to imagine giving up something I’m passionate about, but the financial strain is becoming impossible to ignore. 2. Moving to another state where firefighters are paid better. This would mean leaving my current community and support system behind, but it might allow me to keep doing what I love while building a more sustainable life.

For context, I have FF1/2, Hazmat Ops/Awareness, and Driver Ops certs. My department doesn’t require EMT/Medic, though I’ve thought about pursuing that to expand my options. I’m in a relationship, and my girlfriend’s job is flexible—she could work near almost any major university. Her family is from Colorado, so we’ve even considered moving there.

This decision feels like it could change everything for me, and I don’t want to make the wrong move.

Have any of you been in a similar situation? How did you decide whether to stay, leave, or make a big move? I’d really appreciate any advice, personal stories, or input you can share.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey all! Does anyone work, did work or is just familiar with RFD? I’m a 4 year FF interested in them and wanted to learn more about them. Would love to have chats with folks familiar with them, thanks y’all!🤙🏽

Hello All,

My house has all of its natural gas piping in the attic. We have air sealed our attic and I am now concerned about being able to detect a natural gas leak in the attic. Does anyone have any recommendations on a detector that operates in cold temps? Our area can get down into the teens on very cold nights in the winter.

I might be way too concerned about this, but that is who I am.

This is obviously subjective, but I was curious as to which Fire Departments in the Southwest are known for taking pride in their EMS?

Kinda embarrassed to ask in a way. I’ve been at this for almost 6 years. All the certs. But I’ve spent almost all of that time so focused on becoming a good medic that I haven’t progressed as much as I feel I should have on the fire/rescue side of things. So, what’s y’all’s advice for those looking to take the next step? From rookie to novice, or for becoming the senior guy?

Part of me is planning on starting from square one, again, and is going to explore and toy with every compartment on the truck. What else can I do?

My department has just recently dove deep into pre alerting to calls to improve turnout times. Basically we just use software that is watching the dispatches being created, and we get moving towards the trucks if it’s in our area/a call type we would go to.

I am curious what other departments do/if people pay attention to calls being created to assist with getting out quicker.

I’m looking to get my husband a gift for Christmas, jewelry or something that is sentimental but won’t be a waste of money.

He doesn’t wear his ring, but I’m looking to get him something special. Any ideas or what to stay away from?

I started reading the Book of Search that came out yesterday and one of the sections regarding large area search mentioned KCFD implementing a Large Area Search Team and frequent training with this system in response to an LODD they experienced. Unfortunately, it didn’t go into much depth about how this is actually performed and what it involves. It also wasn’t very clear if this is a standard search team for these large area buildings or if it’s more inclined for RIT activation in these buildings. I tried looking for information online or videos but have come up empty handed so was wondering if I’d have any luck asking in here.

Thanks

Hello! Would anybody have any information regarding the Indiana Pension for firefighters? I’ve heard mixed emotions about it but from people who don’t even work there so I’d like to get some further insight for my husband. Thank you in advance!!

Hey everyone,

I’ve been a ff/pm for a large metropolitan department for roughly 6 years, and need to get this off my chest. For my whole life, I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter. As a child, I would always dress up as a fireman simply because it was my dream. Luckily got on my dream department on my first try and was grateful for that. I love everything about the job; the camaraderie, the schedule, the calls (good and mundane), etc. However, for the past 1.5 years, my family has noticed a change in me. I was no longer active in family participation, no longer had a sense of humor, would wake up in sweats, I could go on. Initially, I would deny these accusations and would visibly be upset. How could you tell ME that I’m changing? However, I realized that I was in the gutter mentally when I no longer cared if something happened to me. I would even hope for something to happen that could cause whatever I was feeling to stop. 3 months ago, I started seeking help. Best decision of my life. I was embarrassed when I initially told my crew because they’ve always seen me as a “traditional” fireman that just wanted to get the job done. Looking back at it now, I’m so happy that I did. I’ve never received so much support in my life, whether it be from my friends, co-workers, and family. Things are still not as great as I’d like it to be, but what’s important now is that I’m not fighting through this alone. Long story short, this job changes you, for the good and bad but I don’t regret choosing this profession. Please don’t fight through whatever it is alone.

My PM is always open to discuss experiences, etc.

I know that some departments have age limits on joining, our local volunteer department does not. The Chief and Deputy Chief didn't say anything and seem to support my involvement, but I'm far from young. In your minds, where's the age line for a volunteer probie?

Hi, I’ve been accepted into the fire service, starting in the new year. What advice would you give to yourself if you were starting again for the first time? Any tips or recommendations prior to starting training

Anyone on the noon shift change/start time? Or know of any dept on the noon start time?

On 11/26/24 we got together with another fire department for drill to conduct an extrication on a retired police cruiser. I got to use the hydraulic cutters and spreaders and I must say; was most definitely a tedious job with plenty of learning curves. However, I was surrounded by the best guys to learn from and work with. Patient, articulate, hardworking and overall, guys with great character and passion. I joined my department in august of last year and it was the best decision I could have made. These guys truly make the firehouse feel like home and I couldn’t be more thankful for the skills I’ve acquired, the techniques I’ve learned and the family I’ve gained.

I hope all of you are doing well and staying safe out there. Keep on keeping on.

Start seeing these in the last couple of weeks.

Whats a piece of advice you would give to a new Firefighter that you wish you knew starting out?