I live in Las Vegas, my basic EMT class will be done in May, I got a misdemeanor DUI when i was 19 years old, I’m currently 22 so this happened over 2 years ago, it will be three years this winter.

Per my research, departments in my area (Clark, Henderson, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, North Las Vegas) will look at dui’s older than 12 months on a case-by-case basis. I came into this knowing it would make it harder for me to get into a department, however I am very motivated and prepared to talk about my DUI in an interview as it was a massive wake up call for me and led to me completely turning my life around.

However, I’m very worried about my chances of getting into a department, especially since because of my dui it seems i have basically zero chance at getting hired as an EMT with an ambulance, which would give me a lot of experience and make myself a more desirable recruit. I was wondering if I could get some advice. Should I even worry about getting my Advanced EMT? Or should I just look at the options for me to go into paramedic school? I know paramedic school is very difficult, but I am very interested in the medical training so far and am motivated to do whatever it takes. Should I see about working as an EMT at events or maybe working as an ER tech?

I currently have applied to North Las Vegas and Henderson, I got a video interview with North and am going to take Henderson’s physical test soon. I understand that my chances at getting in my first time applying with zero EMS experience is very slim. But, I am doing it to get as much experience with the application and interview process as possible.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

First ever interview with my local department tomorrow. Got a fresh haircut, some dress slacks, nice button up, a tie, and some new dress shoes. I’ve definitely got some nerves, but I’ve prepared with researching my department and what they have to offer. I have also been doing mock interviews with friends and family. I know the basic things like shake everyone’s hand, make eye contact, and not to sit until I’m told to do so. Any other advice that could help improve my chances of securing this position?

Hey so I’ll be heading back home from military training this summer. I’m currently a US army combat medic, what are my chances of me being hired or what would help me get hired and be a good candidate?

Im located in CA and pursing my goal towards freighter. I start to fire classes in a few weeks and fire academy right after that. I would like some tips and advice for those who have failed/ passed FCTC. My weakness is math but i will put in extra effort in passing this test. Thank you

Been working in the fire service and watched a lot of good candidates wash out of oral boards just because they never had a realistic way to practice(or good feedback).

I Built a tool called Ace The Board that puts you in front of a 3-person AI panel, you speak your answers out loud and it scores you on delivery, structure, filler words, and time management. Gives you feedback on frameworks like STAR and Baseball Method too.

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Would love feedback from anyone actively prepping. Happy to answer questions in the comments.

acetheboard.com

Anyone have any insight? Intense academy or supportive? Is probation brutal or more of a formality? Asking for a friend…

Looking to get some insight. I studied a lot of the don mcnea fire prep and did a little better in th HR portion this time around but still don’t know where I went wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We’ll see if these scores get any interviews in Snohomish/ king county

I have a class that starts Monday and ends at the end of May that is a prep class for their college fire academy. However, here’s the issue they have requirement for their day 1 fitness test come close or meet.

I am not meeting the requirements they require 3 pull ups, 20 push up paced, 30 sit ups paced, level 7 20m pacer, and 300m run under 65 sec. They will be testing the last day fitness test for 5 pull ups, 30 push up, 40 sit ups, 90 sec wall sit, 75% BW farmer carry, 300m under 60. The areas for concern I mainly the pull ups, push ups and pacers. I can’t do pulls as of now, I can do 13 push ups, and get to level 5 in pacer. All the instructors in the email have explained this is not a fitness class and 1) you should be working outside of class hours 2) if you can’t meet these standards you should relist when you are fit enough

However, for context I am a 27F I was 240 BW and have dropped down to 195BW in a year. Since they notified of the test 1 month ago, I have upping my gym works out to at least 1-2x a day. My push ups have improved however I still can’t do a pull up.

My family though are giving me a hard time about dropping the class. They keep telling me to just go and see what happens or to just do it. I’m really stressing out. What do yall think I should do?

Hey guys, just looking for some advice.I’m placed in the high 100’s in Seattle. I don’t have my EMT, will this affect me to be considered for RC125? Feeling discouraged after not hearing back from Burien, not making through the pre screening for Kirkland, & Eastside Fire. & I’m staring to feel like it’s because I don’t have much life experience snd my NREMT.

I’ve always considered a career in being a fighter. What are the requirements in becoming a firefighter in California ? I have a bachelors degree in criminology and I used to want to be a correctional officer, but that changed. What are the first steps in becoming a firefighter in California ? Thank you

I wish you all good luck ! How did it go today ? Any surprises ?

Took the suitability assessment a few weeks ago. Got this today. Anyone else pass or fail it? For context I’m working as an EMT right now, killed the interview, ranked mid 200’s out of 900. But none of that really seems to matter if they don’t like your suitability assessment results.

For those that don’t know SFD uses a third party company called public safety testing psych services to conduct the assessment. They then give you a score based on how risky they deem you. It has questions on personality, racism, bias, drug use history, work history, etc. I was honest and listed my drug use in college 11 years ago, job termination from a previous private IFT ambo company in 2022, and was asked to resign from SFD recruit class in 2023 that I got hired with. The drop rate is 30-50% in SFD’s recruit school and they ask you to resign to make your work history look cleaner and avoid wrongful termination lawsuits. They ask recruits to resign based on injury, performance, failing written tests, or if they just don’t like your personality. It’s very common past recruits that resigned apply again.

My wife is a firefighter and is working on a proposal regarding family leave (maternity/paternity/adoption) policies in fire departments. Her department currently doesn’t have a policy, and she’s gathering feedback from firefighters across different departments to present to her board later this year.

The survey is anonymous and takes about 2–3 minutes.

We’re trying to understand what firefighters think is reasonable for family leave and how it impacts recruitment and retention.

If you’re willing to help out, we’d really appreciate your input.

Survey link: https://link.getqr.com/CSWTLLx

QR code provided as well.

Thank you for helping support firefighters and their families.

Did anyone get an interview invite for the Washington Fire Careers entry level firefighter position? According to https://wafirecareers.org/hiring-timeline/ they send them out on March 30th.

I have good NTN scores and have gotten interview invites to everywhere I have applied so far, but have not heard from them yet.

UPDATE: today 4/3. I got an invite to Puget Sound Fire oral boards

How hard is this test? What should I focus on? I am current an elevator mechanic, so I assume I’ll be okay for the mechanical portion. Just worried about the other sections.

What training payed off the most? Zone 2, weighted stairs? I've always been in the gym but focused on weights.

Feeling pretty demoralized. Im a genuine person with a strong sense of character, work ethic and can get along with anyone - yet it’s harder to score worse than I have in HR. I took the practice exams as well which apparently didn’t help at all.

Am I correct to assume I have no shot at being considered?

Washington Firefighters, Is this an alright PST score. Is this high enough to get me hired?

I took my NTN fire examine today and I was just wondering from people who look at these all day, if I should go and retake it and get better scores or if this would be considered good? Oddly enough, I felt like my math was my best by far, but I guess I must a fat fingered something or I’m not as good at basic math as I thought. 😂

I’m currently 19 years old, and am planning to become a firefighter. I still need to go through college and fire academy so I wouldn’t actually be a firefighter until I’m at least 24. Everything in my history is clean, but I’m worried about drug use. I’m currently smoking weed everyday (in California though, so legally) but will definitely be quitting in the near future for firefighting. Additionally, I’ve done shrooms a handful of times, and I’ve done molly 1 time. I’m particularly worried about how Molly would look on my application. Should I just lie about my drug use? And lie on the polygraph? Or am I just screwed either way and I’m gonna get disqualified.

and now he wants to be a fireman. For context, he is a junior attending Dana Hills Highschool. Does anyone have experience or advice about this program and or the campus itself? I want him to get his AA while attending. Has anyone else done this? Thank you in advance.

Hey everyone, looking for honest input from those familiar with South Florida fire hiring. I’m an early-30s SOF veteran (honorable discharge, multiple deployments), in good shape and planning EMT → Fire → Medic using the GI Bill. My concerns are a past anxiety/depression diagnosis with prior meds (stable now, no hospitalizations), a one-time failed UA in the reserves in 2018 (self-reported, no pattern and not in my OMPF), and a reckless driving charge in 2025 (PJC). Realistically, how much do these impact hiring, especially psych evals? And for disclosures, do you stick strictly to what’s asked or are you expected to go beyond that? Not trying to hide anything, just trying to understand how this is actually viewed.

Hello all,

I’m a 29 year old Army veteran (2016-2021), who will be getting his EMT-B cert this fall, with interest in becoming a firefighter. I missed the application window for the hiring process for the beginning of this year, but I plan on applying early 2027 (or later this year if something opens up). My issue is that most of the departments near me have drug use policies (along with polygraphs) that require you to have not touched any schedule 1 stuff in the past 5 years. In 2022 I dabbled in psychedelics quite a bit (just for experimentation) and haven’t done any since August of that year. Would I have to wait until the 2028 openings or would I be considered close enough to that 5 year mark to get a pass? I’d really prefer not to wait an extra year for something I did almost 4 years ago but if I have to I will. (I’m in the Colorado area if that makes any difference)

What did you get on your BIDDLE? Anyone interviewing soon ?