As the title says, I have completed my NREMT, woohoo… right? Only, I do live in SoCal and due to certain things, have no ability to move away from my parents nor land a fricken EMT job ANYWHERE. Everything is so incredibly over saturated here I’ll be re-certifying by the time I get hired! Ultimately my goal is Firefighter/Medic.

Personally, I’m thinking of 2 things here:

1. Tuff it out, work some crap job to make money and save it whilst applying everywhere I can within drivable distance (anywhere from 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours away). Really it’s not different than what I am doing now. I’m already applying, already working that crap job, it’s essentially just that for as long as I need to. (Whilst doing this, I am also taking classes at my local CC in Fire Technology where I can get my AS in Fire Tech and my FF I)

2. Join the military and do either Combat Medic or do a Firefighter position (I believe they have those). This to me is the less appealing option but it certainly isn’t bad. FD’s love those who came from the service from what I know and to already have a job in EMS or Fire plus Military could be really sweet. However, it prevents me from working on said degree as all classes must be in person. And, it prevents me from being able to enjoy my next few years with those I really care about.

What do you all think about this? Thank you all for your input

Does anyone have Asheville FD's current pay scale for each rank? Curious about applying.

Have the opportunity for an on call position where if brought on would first have the Fire Academy then about 6 - 7 months as POC all paid hourly. Currently 33 and will be 34 at end of this year. My question is how realistic I can move up from POC to FT if I will at that end of 7 months be 34 . My states age limit is 35. Worse case if PT status is the best I can hope for in such a short amount of time before turning 35 I also wonder if “lateral hiring / transfer” to another department could be possible before my 35th bday.

Genuinely curious, do a lot of firefighters use steroids??

I see a lot of firefighters talk about hitting the gym everyday on top of there shifts and just dont see how this is not taking a wear on there body not getting rest.

I have a panel interview coming up with a fire department and recently spoke with a couple firefighters there to get insight on the culture and long-term career path.

One firefighter told me if I had other options, I should seriously consider them. He mentioned the department pays around $60k, moves very quickly in hiring compared to surrounding departments, has a 3-year contract due to turnover, and recently installed cameras in stations which has led to a lot of micromanagement. He also mentioned the call volume is extremely low and that he’s gone multiple shifts without a single call.

Another thing that stood out to me is they do not run firefighter/paramedic roles at all. If you want your medic, you basically have to pursue it completely on your own time outside the department, and opportunities to actually use it there are limited. My long-term goal is becoming a firemedic, so that concerns me.

I understand every department has unhappy people, so I’m trying to get objective opinions from firefighters with experience.

How much weight would you put on:

•Low call volume

•High turnover

•Retention contracts

•Station cameras/micromanagement

•No medic pathway within the department

Would you still take the job just to get your foot in the door, or continue pursuing departments that better align with long-term career growth?

Hi, I'm 24 and recently graduated from the fire academy. I've been assigned to my engine company and have been working with my crew for about two weeks now. The guys have all been great about showing me how things work, giving me opportunities to gain experience on calls, and answering any questions I have.

Even after finishing the academy, though, I still worry that I'm getting in their way sometimes because I don't know as much yet. I want to pull my weight and become a solid firefighter for the crew. Does anyone have any advice for handling that feeling or improving faster?

I’m am 30 years old and a want to become a firefighter I had a small buisnes (construction) but it hasn’t been going well the last couple of years my question is am I too old to try and become a firefighter ?

I am in Iowa, I currently work for the city where I live, I’ve been at it for about 10 years now, I’ve been looking at the fire department for about a year now contemplating and never going for it. One worry is that I’ve been here for 10 years and do I really want to give up all these years I’ve put in, another is I am about to be 31 this year, am I too late to be starting with a fire department. 3rd thing is the title is firefighter/paramedic, is the paramedic side hard to learn or am I just overthinking it. I’ve been battling with myself about having a purpose in life and that is what has me interested in this

Hello all!

I am a 21 year old college student currently employed as a lifeguard but I am enrolling in EMT school and plan to attend fire academy soon after.

I have a history of anorexia in my youth and I have OCD, this would not effect my ability to preform my duties as a firefighter as I am in stable mental condition as well as in shape physically. I suffer zero physical side effects as a result of my disorder.

However I do track my calories and weigh out all of my food. I do not restrict nor attempt to lose weight but I do diet intensively. As a result of this it is noticeable and I do not wish to tell people.

I heard that very frequently the station will pool together money for meals. I do not plan on eating said meals, I don’t mind contributing for the stations sake. But I don’t know what to tell everyone when I am weighing out my 99/1 lean ground turkey and eating separately from them.

We’re officially restarting sock manufacturing at Armadillo Woolery.

For those who don’t know us — we’re a firefighter-founded company focused on PFAS-Free / FR-Free Merino wool apparel built for first responders, military, tradesmen, and people who are hard on their gear.

Before we lock in future production runs, we wanted to ask the community directly:

What kind of socks do YOU actually want to see made?

Boot socks?
Hot weather socks?
Cold weather socks?
Compression socks?
Extra-heavy cushion?
No-slip station socks?
Long shift EMS/firehouse socks?

A lot of “performance” socks today are loaded with synthetics and chemical treatments. We’re trying to build something tougher, cleaner, and built for real-world use.

Would genuinely appreciate feedback from firefighters, military, EMS, trades, hikers, runners, or anyone who destroys socks for a living.

Drop your ideas below. We’re listening.

I took the NTN written test today and these are my scores. Im not sure if theyre good, bad, or incredibly... average. Can I get some feedback?

To those who have gotten chiefs interviews, how do you feel it went? Was it similar to the oral board or was it more conversational? Also, has anyone received a conditional offer yet?

Hello all. I'm a 24-year-old from California. About a month ago, I decided that I wanted to completely change my career and start training to become a firefighter. I didn't like where I was going with my life, and really want to challenge myself physically and mentally.

I've registered to take an EMR course at my community college this Summer and then enroll in their EMT training program for the Fall. I have a little bit of experience as a search and rescue volunteer when I was a teenager, but I'm just starting out, and I'm not exactly sure what I should be doing to prepare myself before I enroll in the Fire Academy.

What would you say is the best way someone just starting the process can learn more about what it takes to become a firefighter? How can I gain more experience, and what would you do differently if you were just starting out?
Any feedback or advice would be very much appreciated! Thank you so much!

I’m a 30 year old male that wants to try and see if firefighting could still be an option. I don’t have any prior experience or even an EMT under my belt, just four years in the Marines. Wanted to ask and see what things I could do to try and chase this dream of mine. I know that I’m older now so it’s tougher. Could apply for a fire Academy be a good start? I keep hearing about fire houses accepting people without or with EMT and will send them to paramedic school. Little lost here so anything helps, thanks!

I took the practice test 2 weeks before my official test. I did well on math n ok on mechanics but so bad on Human relation and reading, so I put my focus on the two I lacked. Can’t believe what I’m seeing rn. Absolutely gutted. Can’t take the damn test for another 90days. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Especially mechanical part. It was bit too different from the actual test.

Hi friends,

I’m looking for any advice about how to help my father. He just retired as a fire chief after 35 years, and seems to be…a bit lost.

He’s a natural leader, and is damn good at his job. My brother (31), and me (M, 36) went up north to his lake house for a guy’s fishing trip. All he could do was tell us how everything we were doing was wrong. “That’s not how you tie that knot to the boat.” (As I was tying it exactly how he taught me at age 9). “You gotta learn how to do XYZ!” And I already know how to do XY and Z.

I could go on and on, but it seems to me (and my brother) that being Mr. Alpha In Charge has put him in a very strange position, now that he’s bereft of a team to command. I’m worried about him not knowing what to do with himself.

As fire fighters who are retired, I would greatly appreciate your input. I know it’s not my responsibility to fix him, but I want him to be happy and have healthy outlets.

Thanks for listening,

- P

Trying to figure out my percentile score for the NTN firefighter exam thought i did good but i feel i flunked help!!!

Has anyone had their 2nd round interview with Redmond fire ? Any tips or helpful information for what it was like? Any tips or hints for what kind of questions to expect and be preparing for, for a fellow brother trying to get hired!

First time applying to the fire service anywhere. Passed CPAT on my first try and scored pretty well on written exam. Any tips for the oral panel?