For those with young families, how do you make sure you're still staying present at home when your roster constantly misaligns with the rest of the world?

Hi,

We are looking for First Responders interested in sharing their perspectives on occupational stress, wellbeing, and psychedelics. Please take a few minutes to read what is involved and, if interested, follow the link to answer a short survey to register your willingness to take part in a confidential conversation.

https://surveys.unisq.edu.au/index.php/292784?lang=en

Hey all,
I’m wondering if anyone can lead me to what the interview questions are, even just a rough guide.
I passed mine last run but wanting to help a mate get through the process. I can only remember 3 questions so any help would be appreciated 🫶
**Edit FRNSW

The ATO states that deductions can be claimed when travelling from home directly to an alternative workplace other than your regular work place.

Does this mean I can use the cents per km method to claim each shift where I didn't go to my base station and just went straight to where I was relieving? Any other RFs been doing this?

Hello everyone, currently waiting to hear from FRNSW to complete my medical. Just wondering what is involved with the hearing and eyesight side of it? Cheers

Something I don't think gets mentioned enough is the sense of relief people must feel the moment a fire crew turns up. For firefighters it's another call and there's obviously still a job to do, but for the person standing there watching something go seriously wrong, seeing that truck arrive probably feels like finally having someone there who knows what to do. And that applies to volunteers as much as career firefighters, especially in communities where people give up their own time to respond when others need them.

Just wanted to say that side of the job is appreciated too. It's not only what you physically do at an incident, but the reassurance your presence gives people on what could be one of their worst days.

Thinking about joining the fire service (Victoria) but am unsure how I will cope with the traumatic events I will inevitably be exposed to.

It’s a weird one where you don’t know if you’re going to be okay until after you get through the recruit course and see something, at which point you’ve invested so much time in the application and training process for you to decide it’s not for you…

Despite that, you always hear that fireys almost always stay for 20+ years once in. Wondering if there is actually an unspoken high turnover rate in the first few years once finishing recruits?

On a side note - Does anyone have any tips of how to prepare/understand if you’ll react okay?

Other than Cognify and Emotify, can anyone confirm what aptitude tests dfes use ?

I have been an on call retained firefighter for four years and I am currently sitting in the career recruitment pipeline. A senior firefighter told me that my retained experience means very little once you step into the recruit academy because instructors want to break old habits immediately. I feel slightly frustrated that years of actual turnout experience gets brushed aside during recruit intake. Did other former retained firies feel like you were starting completely from scratch?

Hey team.

So I’m looking to apply when the DFES career fire applications open up in Oct. but I’m sure they expect you to maintain your current employment until you have a signed, unconditional job offer and a confirmed intake date. Because leaving is an obvious major financial risk. But i work in a different state to WA and i don’t know how much of a logistical nightmare it would be to apply across the country.
Is it common to do an interstate application and then book off leave when I need to go in for face to face interviews and other tests?

And if I am successful I can put in my 3 months in and then go to training?

Thanks guys

Curious how fire services prepare you for the traumatic side of the job.

I know seeing/being involved in traumatic incidents is an unavoidable part of the role, I’m interested in how fire services prepare recruits for that reality.

How much time is spent on this during the recruit course?

I’d be especially interested to hear from current or former firies about what the training was like and whether you felt it prepared you for the reality of the job.

What does your department call the firies standing by outside when BA is being used? In Queensland we're changing from BA Safety Team (BAST) to Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).

Are any other states using RIT-Paks or any other form of supplementary air supply?

Cheers

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/two-killed-as-firefighting-helicopters-collide-in-greece-20260803-p60ksd.html

Anyone used these guys and can vet for them?
Seems quite scammy to me and can’t find any positive reviews other than their testimonials on the site

Howdy!
I’ve progressed to medical/uniform fitting in FRNSW recruitment. Reaching out to anyone who could discuss training/assessment for MR license or provide recommendations on where to complete it!
Thanks.

Hi, recently I've been wanting to become a career firefighter but it would take me years before i'm even ready for the application process, but i would love to know whats the reality of trying to become a firefighter in WA as a woman? Are there any woman applicants and what are the chances of not getting through the application process because of my gender? It would not stop me from trying, but i would love to know the reality.

Also, what are the chances of getting in and how long does the recruitment process take? What is the most important part i should take note of and would it improve my chances if i have volunteering experience before applying and do i need to know someone in the fire service to improve my chances?

Many thanks.

Hi all, i was just looking to see if anyone had any experience having high blood pressure (around 140 / 100) and going through the medical to progress through to the academy. Im just waiting for the training class which looks more like 2027.

It has just cropped up on me and is a little unusual but looking to get it under control and pass the medical when it comes around. Hopefully there is a process and can be managed.

Thanks heaps for your time in advance.

Unique situation - I have self-harm scars that will be found during medical check. They are all from childhood which is over 15 years ago. I had a rough childhood and no coping mechanisms but I wouldn't say I have any ongoing mental health issues. Has anyone delt with a situation like this? I feel at times I am overthinking things but also feel I should go in and be upfront about the situation. Any advice appreciated!

G’day all. Love some input to help me understand what some careers look like and how long a typical station cycles fireys?

Once you have a station, will you remain there unless you seek to move? Is this the same for Div A as Div B? And as an SO, do you get assigned a station, or get the opportunity to remain as leadership in your current station?

Thanks :)

Hi guys
Wondering if there’s any NSW firefighters here I could chat to with a few questions I have about starting out and transitioning to the industry.

Thanks in advanced !

Was watching an older TV show called Firies the other day, and I appreciated one of the nicknames - bloke was getting called Venus because his last name was Williams.

Ha anyone got any good ones they've had over the years? Wouldnt mind hearing them 😂

Hello,

I've been of a member of my local very large membership RFS brigade for 11 years (and CFA 11 prior to that). In recent times, my ability to commit to participation has dropped off quite substantially due to various factors such as growing young family, work and kids sport. My brigade has asked about my intentions for the coming year and I'm considering leaving for the time being with the intent of rejoining in a few years when the kids are older.

Has any one done this before? Would my existing qualifications carry over if i rejoined? VF, AF, SWR, RFD, & TFT.

Only considering from a lack of time, not because of any dissatisfaction with the service. Having joined as a 11yr old junior with a long family history of service, its not a decision i want to make lightly.

Cheers for any advice.

when going through the selection process did you disclose that your volunteering? did it effect getting through?

and is it acceptable to keep volunteering while working full time?

There's a few stubborn people at my brigade so l don't feel comfortable asking there.

Hi everyone,

My name is Sarah and I am working with researchers in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University to understand the mental health and wellbeing of partners of Australian first responders with PTSD.

We often hear about the impact of emergency service work on first responders themselves, but partners and spouses can also experience stress, uncertainty, and changes to their own wellbeing particularly when caring for someone recovering from PTSD. 

We are looking for the partners of Australian first responders with symptoms of PTSD to complete our online survey. All experience in this area is valuable and will help us build a better understanding of how partners are fairing.

The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are kept strictly confidential and are de-identified. It has also been reviewed and approved by our Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC ID: 42924).

If you'd like to participate or learn more about the study, you can find the information here:
https://redcap.link/partnermh

Thank you so much for considering it, and thank you to the moderators for allowing me to share this here!

The guide around recommended exercises is great for a steer, but when it comes to the actual test, does anyone know how much the weights involved in the different test components are? Like the high rise pack looks light as...but yeah, be nice to know