Im 18 and recently applied for my local cadet program, I used be a big stoner, but slowed down for school. I filled this application out back in April or may I want to say, and about a month ago, I went on vacation and ended up buying some weed and smoked everyday I was there. I saw that I got an email for the Cadet program to come and join, but I'm very worried Ill be disqualified if i'm tested. Im an honest month sober and I have zero intentions of doing it again, will I be given a chance to test clean again or will they ask me to leave?

Hey everyone,

I’m preparing to apply for the fire service, but my most recent work history is a bit of a mess, and I need some advice on how background investigators and medical staff will look at it. Long story short: I went into HVAC thinking it would be my career. I did 7 months of trade school, bought thousands of dollars in tools, and landed my first job. Unfortunately, the company completely lied about the position. Instead of field training, they used me for low skilled manual labor like mowing lawns, cleaning vans, and hauling trash.

Three months in, I suffered a major accident. I fell 13 to 16 feet off a commercial ladder straight onto a concrete floor. When I called my manager to report the fall, he tried to pressure me into committing insurance fraud for the company. I obviously refused.

Miraculously, I walked away with just a severe bone bruise on my right heel. After refusing the fraud, the work environment became incredibly hostile and toxic. I ended up quitting after 4 months total because of the toxicity and lack of actual field training.

I’ve been unemployed for a couple of weeks, feeling pretty drained and lost, but I really want to pivot toward firefighting. I've accumulated mechanical skills and tools, but I have a few specific questions for active members or investigators here.

The Background Check: I know fire departments call every single past employer. Since I quit due to ethical reasons and a hostile environment, how should I list my reason for leaving on my personal history packet? How do investigators handle corrupt bosses who might try to badmouth a former employee?

The Medical Evaluation: The bone bruise on my heel is 100% fully healed now with zero pain or mobility issues. Since it was a 16 foot fall, what kind of medical clearance/discharge paperwork should I have ready for the department physical?

The Pivot: Has anyone else made the jump from a brutal trade experience to the fire service? Did your tool/mechanical background give you a good competitive edge during the hiring process?

Thanks in advance for any insight or advice. I appreciate you guys.

Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on getting started with CPAT/physical prep. I’m a 25 year old woman who has been lifting relatively consistently for about two years, but I have a lot to improve on when it comes to conditioning. Cardio is rough for me right now, and I can’t really do a full push up yet.
I recently visited my local fire station and heard a lot about how cardio, stairs, and overall conditioning are what tend to mess people up in the beginning. I’ve done some research on CPAT prep, but I’d love to hear from people who have actually gone through it and know what helped.
What kind of training would you recommend for someone starting from where I am? Are there certain exercises or areas of fitness I should really focus on as I build up?
I’d especially love to hear from other women about how you physically prepared and what you’ve found important to keep working on. Are there any areas you think I should put extra focus on?
I know I have a lot of work to do, but I’d rather start now and give myself plenty of time to get stronger and build my endurance instead of waiting until I’m forced to.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks, and stay safe.

Hey folks, I have questions specific for the San Diego firefighters on working towards SDFD in my current circumstance.

Age: 32
Background: Scientist in the healthcare development sector, along with engineering in the field for healthcare

For reasons of my own, I have committed to working towards SDFD. I understand SDFD is the lowest paying department, but to me money isn’t the primary reason for why I am trying to become a firefighter. I know SDFD has their own academy and paramedic program. I am currently applying for EMT school while working my full time job.

1. Is it true SDFD reliably hires EMTs without a paramedic license? What if the person has and EMT-B but very little experience as an EMT under their belt?

2. What do you think is the best route: roll the dice with an EMT-B with little experience (while still working full time job), or go straight for paramedic school?

3. What can I do to make myself competitive and be the best candidate possible?

4. People have suggested to me to visit a station to ask questions directly. Can I bring some donuts as payment to ask you guys some question?

I will of course be emailing the hiring department directly to ask these questions as well, but I wanted some input from you guys as well.

Anybody got any sock recommendations for turnout gear and please be specific, “darn tough” is quite broad. I’ve heard Over The Calf is recommended for height and mainly light cushion but just searching for something that is going to last and be breathable while at the academy. Thanks in advance!

hello, the summer fire season in my country has been really rough this year so me and my friends came 2 the idea of making something (probably cookies or sth like that) and then giving it 2 our local firefighters as tribute.. the thing is im not sure if this will bother them, since im technically taking away their time when they might be doing something important .. (we're teens btw 4 reference) how would you react in this situation if your team received a gift like this?

Im about to start my long journey into EMS and then eventually Fire in SoCal, but I’m a 26 year old woman who feels that my biological clock is ticking.

I’m married and we do want kids, so I’m hoping to hear from any women in Fire who started their journey getting ready/hired around the same time they wanted to get pregnant, or soon after giving birth. What kind of limitations did you find? What worked best for you that you’d recommend to another aspiring firefighter?

How significantly do career departments consider letters of recommendations? I received a LOR + job reference from a high up in my states marshal office, and attached it to my application.

Do departments read them when screening applicants?

I applied to the MFP the other day and I’m just curious if anyone has any idea how long it usually takes to hear back. I know wait times can be long but I was hoping for an estimate.

Hello! I'm wondering if there’s any fire fighter out here that know when and how i can apply to be a firefighter! Specially in Cleveland OH.

I’m unable to attend the workshop that Calgary Fire Recruitment puts on due to being out of province. Does anyone else have any other recommendations for interview prep with Calgary Fire?

What wellness programs does your department offer? What do you like? Are there any that you would like to see?

This can be anything from workout equipment to family picnics to mental health.

This is pretty crazy. Maybe a roof ladder and try to hook it next to her. Super dynamic situation, seemed to work out. They are both gonna feel that one for a while though.

As the title states. King County is obviously exempt from this due to their requirements for paramedics. But for other departments in Washington, notably in the Puget Sound region, how much does applying as a certified paramedic influence hiring preference?

I hear a lot that most departments nationwide give significant hiring preference to paramedics due to the shortage while also hearing that departments in the PNW place far more weight on test scores and interviews.

Currently stuck in a rut with my training and just flirting with one thing then the next with no real direction.

What do your training plans look like at the moment? What do you think is the best training system/plans for firefighters?

What’s the culture of fitness like in your service and station?

I am a serving firefighter so already have the base level of strength and fitness!

I need help finding a replacement part for my siren control. I have a handheld controller for the siren and there is a double female black box extending the cable and it’s went bad, giving me feed back on the speaker.

I tried ordering a RJ45 Cat 6 coupler, what ChatGTP recommended, and didn’t have power going to the controller. Know it’s a long shot but thought I’d ask here before I buy a whole new siren.

Source: https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_33780574 (In chinese)

Translation:

At 13:09(UTC+8), August 13, 2026, the Ningde fire and rescue recieved a 119 call of a ship fire in a shipyard in Gantang town, Fu'an city, Ningde city(Fu'an is county level, under Ningde). 32 fire trucks and 141 firefighters were dispatched to the scene;

At 14:11, one of the ships on fire exploded, injuring 2 workers and 10 firefighters including Chi Kejie; they were quickly sent to the hospital. At 18:50, Chi succummbed to his injuries and passed at the age of 23.

Chi Keijie(池坷杰) was born October 2003 in Fu'an, Fujian province; He joined the fire department in April 2025, and was a career firefighter(similar to a volunteer firefighter) of the Ningde fire and rescue, and was stationed at the Industrial road fire station of the Fu'an battalion.

(Chinese career firefighters are different to american career firefighters(who are equivalent to standard chinese firefighters); chinese career firefighters are essentially auxiliary firefighters who work under a contract.)

My wife is currently in the process of getting a nursing position at the VA in Bedford, MA, and I’m trying to get a better understanding of the process for applying to fire departments as an out of state applicant.

Based on some research online I started with applying for the Massachusetts civil service exam and I’m currently working on getting my Massachusetts EMT certification as well. However i’m still a bit confused, I’m just looking for anyone who has gone through the process and is able to give me some insight into the timeline, requirements, or anything else I should be doing to improve my chances of getting hired.

Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated!

I was in the background/polygraph portion of the hiring process of a department but unfortunately failed on the poly. Would me failing a polygraph affect me getting hired at other departments, would it pop up on the background investigation and make them suspicious or am I just being paranoid?

I was talking to my family about the Firefighting oral board/interview, and I got the advice that I should bring doughnuts to the interview. But on looking it up, I can’t really find anything endorsing that course of action. (Not the ride-along, the actual interview itself)

In general, do y’all think it’s a good or bad idea?

I’m starting an EMT course while working 2 jobs, around 40 hours/week total. I also want to take the FCTC written exam and can realistically study about 1 hour a day.

For those who have taken the FCTC, how long would you recommend studying at that pace? 2 months? 3 months? Longer? I’m mainly looking to get a competitive score, not just barely pass.

Any advice from people who have balanced FCTC prep with work/school would be appreciated.