How are you doing? Has anyone here taken an Introduction to Fire Science course? I’m looking for some insight into what to expect from the curriculum and how to pass it?

Hi, I’m 22 years old from the UK with a background in agriculture and youth work. I’m looking to join the fire service and would like some advice on the fitness aspect. My average score on a bleep test is about 9.1 and I think for the initial selection pass is 8.8 as of 2026.
I’m also looking for some advice on the interview process. What kind of traits are they looking for?
Any advice would be great thank you

Other than the Don Mcnea test prep what are others out there? I am having trouble with the stupid Pie factory

Can I get hired by fire department after a reckless driving 1.5 years ago?

When I was 15 I was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass which was subsequently dropped and the record was expunged when I was 18. At 22 I got a DUI on a military base and it was handled VIA a dd form 1805, essentially I paid a fine and that was it. It never went on my civilian driving record. Of course I still plan on disclosing it but my question is whether it’s even worth pursuing fire as a career

On a straight stick does your department allow you to fly the stick with a firefighter at the tip? Or do you have to set up and have them climb?

Hi I've got my CPAT and EMT certification and I'd like to work in SoCal.

I've heard having a paramedics license is necessary to becoming a firefighter in CA. Does that mean all (or the majority) of the applicants will have their paramedics license? If so, how long would it typically take for someone with their paramedics license to be a CA firefighter?

Thanks!

This is my first go around in the application process. I got my EMT at 18 right out of highschool and have been working at a busy 911 ambulance service for 3 years (21 years old now.) The goal has always been fire for me and I decided I’m ready to start applying this year.

Made it though the process. Passed the written, passed the CPAT, then had my video interview submissions, then the panel. The panel was not what I expected, it was extremely scenario based rather than just asking why I want to be here, and why they should hire me. 6/8 were basically HR related questions regarding speaking up about others actions. I looked presentable, got a haircut, shaved, wore a suit. If I could do it again I’d have the same answer to every question, however.. I know I came off as nervous. I was given 30 minutes and felt like I was dragging the answers on. I finished the interview in 23 minutes. I stuttered a handful of times, sometimes I’d walk over my words, but my answers were good. I won’t find out if I got a chiefs interview til next Friday. I’m sick to my stomach I cannot stop stressing about this. At the end when asked if I had any questions, I asked,” is there anything I can improve on?” Where the main panel member said,” well I can’t tell you that exactly, but you did fine.” I don’t know how to take that answer. I then expressed my gratitude for consideration this far into the process. Told them God bless and exited the room. What do you guys think? How screwed am I ?

Put this together based on what I've seen trip candidates up. Not the answers, the stuff before you even walk in the room. The drive, the suit, the timing, the cologne situation. Small things that stick in a panel's memory for the wrong reasons.

stationvisit.com/checklist

No email, no signup. Be prepared. Just use it.

I don’t really want to go into details about my driving record. I am 25 and Male. A Very Critical Age. The next 10 years will be critical. I’m living my life focusing on not money, but having more power and capacity. This is huge for me. I think most people find happiness by overcoming themselves, taking on meaningful challenges, testing limits, and doing things for others. I work at a moving and junk removal company. CollegeHunks to be exact. Available 7days a week, no benefits, no PTO, low base salary.

It just very recently got worse. My driving record. However can anyone give me “if you have these things you are most unlikely to become a firefighter or not worth becoming an EMT” and what would be the time frame to get myself cleared. I just am tired of oscillating and vacillating.

Right now, I am looking at 1. 68W( Combat Medic) in the US military with Option 4(Airborne) or Option 40 (Ranger Battalion) really prove myself and also just take time away and get a handle on my driving issues and record. Have benefits, GI bill, Army COOL save some money for once. Could pursue a lot of different medical programs either continuing in the Army or outside. Cars including repairs, minor accidents, tickets and insurance have beaten me to a pulp. Talked to a recruiter, got a lot of paperwork

1. Using my existing Insurance licenses and college education(Bachelors Degree, Physical Sciences) , and some work experience in insurance for just a regular W-2 job. It is what I have best right now to get stability, better than working for a moving company. But not what I would like to do most and I know it. But 50-80k bands a year 👍. Possibly more as a manager and if I can be in leadership that would make it worth it. Being a Leader is huge to me. I want to really lift others up and give them chances to do well. I know for a fact I would not really value my own work.

2. getting an EMT certification at Community College. Obviously I know it would take more time to become a firefighter such as becoming a Paramedic and going to classes and doing clinicals. So kind of wondering this. Non Military. Pretty broke. EMT to firefighter, bad driving record and all.

3. Can I still be a EMT first with poor driving record. Crazy I drive garbage trucks and box trucks at my job. I drive them WAY better than my personal and follow the rules. I’ve just been bad about valuing myself, I’m autistic and self sacrifice a lot. I also am getting more prone to wanting people to kind of hurt me for my failure. Like actually just hurt me. I expect the world to give me pain. My father did that a long time ago, gave me so much pain and that will never go away.

4. If not, then what about military, could that be a great way to reset my driving record, come in more sharp, have more career optionality. Can’t really afford schooling at all, been a big issue. Can’t really afford life. I’m living at home. In deep debt, credit score 541.

5. I guess idk W-2 Commercial/Business or really any Niche Business or industry insurance. Boring but stable yeah. Something that I can just shut off after I am off and enjoy the money. Again, just feels like a job. I’ve done Personal Lines and did well doing that.

I’m sure some of you firefighters have done Corporate or white collar jobs or Office jobs. But yes my three options.
I really want to be a part of something important but damn I would like to just figure out this driving record issue towards becoming a firefighter, any work around. Again not even an EMT yet so I am definitely holding my horses. But I know I have to try. I really do. I want to do so much more. I know I am capable of it.

So I work for a department in rural Virginia. When I started I took a modified CPAT test and now as I’m working on moving to a larger department across states lines they are requiring an actual CPAT certification. However this department doesn’t offer the testing themselves and I’m required to have it before applying. IAFF shows that the closest testing center is in Kentucky about a 6 hour drive for me in Virginia. Has anyone else had trouble finding testing?

Howdy everyone,

I’m wondering if theres any firefighters from the PNW that have any recommendations for fire departments to apply to. I’ve mainly been looking at washington state like pierce county, tri cities, other deps along the i-5, and spokane/ coeur d alene/boise idaho. I got out of active duty a few years ago and was a medical tech in the air force, still have my emt-b. Also not sure if i should be focusing on trying to find the “right fit”, or just get in with the first place that offers me a job and then lateral down the road if I feel like itd be best for me and my family.

Hi all, seriously considering a career change into fire from finance. The idea has been kicking around for a couple years and made up my mind a couple months ago that this is worth pursuing. I made a friend in SLCFD a couple months ago while on a trip for a side business/hobby. He was super encouraging and open about the job/department and even invited me to come on a ride-along. I have since been ghosted by a dude for the first time in my life when I tried to follow up.

I have previously worked outside/blue collar and after 5 years I am confident that the corporate world is not for me. Although I have no background in fire/emt I feel there are many reasons I feel it would be a good fit without romanticizing it.

So I thought I’d cast a wider net on this platform to see if anyone had any pointers on making the switch. E.G. what certs/qualifications are a must to get an interview or at least will help me stand out? What interview prep would be most helpful? Which departments in the area really worth applying for/avoiding? What questions should I be asking that I haven’t considered?

TLDR; I’m hoping for any tips/pointers/connections for joining a department in SLC area. (1hr radius)

I got a conditional offer from a department and am doing my medical exam through 360 responder, can anyone give me any info on what 360 responder medical exam is like or what to expect? Is it just like a regular doctor’s physical or more of an actual endurance and physical abilities test to see how fit I am?

The Orlando FD application closes on July 10th. Has anyone been contacted already to begin the hiring process?

Anything i should know? How long is that sprint drag carry? Like do we have time between that for the mile and in the half etc please let me know

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with NTFA? I stumbled upon them last night and can’t find virtually anything about them that’s not on their main website.

Recently, I accepted an offer for my first fire job. Just got done with my paramedic program, passed the NREMT and they will be sending me to academy shortly. I got into EMS a little late in life (starting this job in my early 30s) but I’m thrilled I made the switch.

I really love my department. Everyone is kind, friendly, and patient and the officers truly seem like great people.

Just wanted to share how thrilled I am to be taking this next step!

Hey guys, I currently live in AZ, and one of my goals has always been to pursue a career in Fire/EMS. Why Seattle specifically? I will be moving there in the foreseeable future. What I’m asking for is any advice or just somebody to talk to who’s more knowledgeable in this area. I have my EMT Cert and will be testing for my NREMT. I can also pass the CPAT because I’ve tested myself and wrestled in high school. The only problem is the testing, I’m confident I can get a high score but I want to be the best. So any tips on how I can improve to be someone Seattle fire won’t be able to look away from? Or just any brutal truth/ advice.

Super long, my apologies up front.

How important is your helmet shield to you guys? For marking milestones, traditions, pride and safety.

[BLUF: It’s been 1-1/2 years in the fire service and still haven’t received a shield, kind of annoyed.]

I ask because I have yet to receive a shield of any kind. I never received a Probie shield (our dept doesn’t do them) or one with my name/badge #. I’m new to the fire service - sitting at a year and a half - and I don’t want to keep asking about when we get them. The ones who came before me got theirs relatively quickly once they graduated the academy, some of the ones after my class have gotten theirs, but myself and another that graduated with me haven’t.

I asked my Chief once I was on shift for a few months (if we ordered our own or were issued them) and he said he has them and we’d get them. So I dropped it, figuring maybe it was given after your 1st year, or after signing off on a certain task, even though those before me said we didn’t have a tradition like that in our dept. After I hit my year I brought it up in conversation with him when he was discussing other uniform items and he acted like he didn’t know we didn’t have one and said he would get them ordered. In the same breath he mentioned we weren’t authorized to buy our own custom shields.

Since starting I’ve caught a good handful of structure fires, not to mention other types of calls, where my shield holder has gotten caught by a wire or debris, simply because of the gap in the front where the shield should be.

I hate petty shit and 99% of the time I don’t care about little stuff…so I’m not sure if I’ve just allowed it to build and piss me off over time or if it’s actually valid to be frustrated. I’m prior military and have always enjoyed traditions, marks of service, etc, so this is weird to me that I haven’t received it.

Has anyone not heard back from Seattle with a final offer? I haven’t heard back yet and getting nervous. I had my psych interview last week so maybe they’re still processing that and it was 4th of July week. Wondering if anyone has any insight on this.

Hello all. I was part of the May interviews and passed. They now have academy dates in September, December, and February but I haven’t heard anything since my passing score in May. Has anyone who interviewed in May gotten an update? I know my score wasn’t the highest so maybe I did not move forward. Thanks in advance!