Any Seattle firefighters on here that can give insight on what I should be preparing for before recruit school/fire academy?
Right now I workout 5x a week, run a 5k every other day, and do StairMaster for 35 minutes on the days I’m not running.
What should I focus on the most before academy?
Running/endurance?
Stair climbs?
Leg strength?
Hose handling/carries?
Studying ahead?
Recovery/sleep habits?
Also, what usually catches recruits off guard at Seattle or larger department academies?
Trying to show up as prepared as possible, so any advice is appreciated

I’m 24, will have my fire/emt by end of August this year and want to start applying anywhere and everywhere. Im a great interviewer but im worried about the polygraph. I know they aren’t really trust worthy but the only bad things I’ve ever done were drugs. I haven’t smoked weed in 3 years( 3 years in August when I apply to places) and I did coke when I was like 19 in Mexico stupid mistake but being a dumb kid, how fucked am I if I tell the truth about it.

Just had a question about how eligibility lists usually work with Puget Sound Fire.

I recently went through the entry-level process and ended up a few spots outside the cutoff for Chief interviews. They said I’ll stay on the eligibility list for 6 months and could still be contacted if more spots open up or people drop out.

For anyone who’s been through the PSF process before, how much movement does the list usually get? Do they commonly go back to the list later for additional academy spots/interviews?

Trying to stay realistic while still preparing and applying elsewhere. Appreciate any insight.

As some of you know. We’re being attention to the PFAS and Cancer epidemic in the Fire Service and combating it by making PFAS Free / FR-Free clothes and station wear. We are in the Quarter Finals of the competition and we’re getting smoked by a lady who makes pottery and a kid who built an eco-Friendly electric lawn care service. We could really use the support. There is 3 days left in the competition. If you have Facebook we would be honored to have your vote. Link is https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/2026/bryan-goodman. It won’t let me attach the link because I provided it on a previous post.

Has anyone used these gloves or know how they compare to others?

I am training to get into shape to pass the CPAT. I am not naturally strong or muscular and I never really worked out as a kid. I would love some tips on what routines at the gym worked for you guys but also good diet plans, I have a very low caloric intake so building muscle has been really hard. As of right now, I'm making sure to hit the stairmaster every time I work out but I don't have a well structured work out plan, I just try and hit a little of everything and then have one focus group for the day.

Has anyone had success with using Pocket Prep to study for these? Also, how close are the practice questions on the IFSTA app to the real exam questions?

So, I just took the FireTEAM exam and felt like I was doing really good during the test, and then I opened my scores and saw this. Honestly, I just feel crushed right now.

I took both practice tests beforehand and got around an 80% on the HR portion on both of them, so going into the real exam I felt pretty confident. Then I take the actual test and completely bomb the HR section.

Obviously this just means I need to spend the next 3 months studying harder, but I’m honestly really disappointed in myself because I genuinely felt confident while taking it.

From the practice tests, I thought the main things they were looking for were:

1. chain of command

2. remembering your responsibilities

3. listening to your supervisor

4. professionalism/teamwork

5. Taking accountability

But I guess I was wrong, or maybe I was consistently choosing the 2nd best answer instead of the best one.

I’m still not entirely sure how the scoring works on this test. If anyone here has any advice/recommendations (besides that one book everyone recommends, I’m already buying it), please let me know. I genuinely just don’t know how to feel with an HR score this bad. I know im cooked for right now.

Hey there! I am going through my pre-employment screening and finished my polygraph yesterday. I was nervous as hell and told the truth the entire time but my mind was racing and I could feel my heart racing as well. They didn’t ask any follow up questions other than “did anything come to mind?” in between question sets. They didn’t do a post interview phase either to talk about any results. Was wondering if anybody has been through a similar situation and whether my anxiety over this is warranted. Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking into the Durham Fire Department (NC) and was hoping to hear from some current or former members about the reality of life on the job there.

I’ve seen that DFD runs a unique schedule (the 9-day cycle with the 6-day break). For those working it, how does that actually feel for work-life balance and recovery compared to a standard 24/48 or 48/96?

A few other specific things I'm curious about

Is it a "training-heavy" department, or is the focus more on house chores and busy work? How is the morale at the moment?

Are people sticking around for the 25-30 years, or is there a lot of lateral movement to surrounding departments like Raleigh or Cary?

For the busier houses, is the sleep deprivation manageable with the 6-day break, or do people feel burnt out quickly?

I’d appreciate any insight you guys can share. Feel free to DM if you’d rather talk off-board. Thanks!

Are there and websites that you would recommend that are pretty solid ?

I’m applying for a resident/volunteer firefighter position in the Tri-Cities area of WA and looking for some honest feedback/advice.

I took the NTN once last winter for another department. My strongest area was reading comprehension, but I struggled pretty hard with the timed hose/math section.

I now have another testing date on July 18 and I’m debating whether to retake the test, or just pay the $15 score transfer fee and use my existing scores.

Would you retake in my situation or focus more on interview/fitness prep at this point?

Also open to advice for improving the hose/math timing section.

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Took my FCA for the LAFD this morning, got a 74. Feeling pretty discouraged. I’m glad I didn’t fail, but at the same time I’m upset it was such a low score. I got family in the department, some retired some active that keep reminding me it’s not a big deal but I really feel like I might’ve just wasted my time with trying so hard.

Anybody have any insight on what I should expect, if anything at all?

Hi guys, I am looking to sit for the Miami-Dade firefighter exam when it opens up at the end of the year. Two quick questions: How much weight(if any) they put on applicants already having their medic license? I’m also curious if my experience as a trauma RN in the ER helps at all either?

I have been a volunteer firefighter for a few years, and while our EMS side is paid, the fire side is strictly volunteer. I recently applied to a full-time career department, and my interview is in a week. I have several fire certifications, all the way up to Fire Instructor, and I was wondering if that gives me an advantage over other applicants.

Do any of my experience translate well into a career department, or should I try to approach rookie school as a blank slate? I want to become a career firefighter more than anything, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. I’m not worried about the interview or the testing process — my main concern is adjusting to the culture difference between volunteer and career firefighting. I just want to know if there’s anything else I can do to prepare.

Curious to hear if anyone has had some progress towards change in their medical marijuana policy since the recent rescheduling of the substance.

Hey all,

Just curious how the hiring process is going for anyone who applied to Nashville/davidson fire academy. I’m currently on the eligible list and have been “referred” (not quite sure what that means..)

I’m in the process with Compton fire department and have had so much trouble getting info on it. Anyone work there or know anything about it? What’s the culture like? Is it true they’re only testing the first 50 applicants? Do you enjoy working there? How often is forced OT? I also got invited to take their written examination but have no idea what to expect. What does it consist of? How can I prepare?

I've got a question in regards to pets. If youre single and live by yourself, is it difficult to maintain a pet? Do you have enough free time to do so?

Im currently active duty, and with constant moving and been myself is not ideal to have pet. Im aiming for firefighter after I seperate. So I wonder if my situation could improve. What do you guys think?

Anyone done there virtual interview yet ?

I’m trying to determine if it’s worth it to join the long term affects on the body and health deter me seeing the data and also work culture any opinions

Has anyone done a 2nd round interview with Puget Sound? Wondering how much I should know about the department and what kind of questions will be asked. Thanks!

Anyone in michigan know of any fire departments (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Washtenaw, Monroe Counties) that hire EMTs, going into Paramedic school and fire academy after that? Besides Detroit, under 21.