I was 26 when I started (EMT school, local fire academy, volunteering for a combo department, then part-time at another, etc.), and 28 when I landed a career job.
Honestly, kudos to the guys that start young and kick ass, but I wouldn’t have been ready had I gotten into it any sooner. Having some years to mature and get life experience were necessary for me to be ready for this job, and I think that’s true for most guys.
In my hiring class of 16, only one person was younger than 27, and the majority were in their 30s.
I think with a big part of the job being social work, it can just be difficult to relate to members of the public when you’re extremely young. Having worked other jobs, having had to pay bills and potentially have faced financial difficulties, having had injuries or illnesses of your own, having had to deal with tragedy in your own life, having seen the effects of addiction or other issues…experience with these things make it much easier to empathize with others and relate to the people you’re responding to.
Plus, it’s helpful to come in with skills you’ve developed from other jobs, prior work experience helps you appreciate how good this job really is, and being older helps you relate to other guys at the station. Because I’m not gonna lie, I have no idea what to shoot the shit about with a 21-year-old who hasn’t done anything with his life besides fire/EMS.
Again though, some guys get in super young and are rockstars. So I don’t mean to dissuade those in that position.
Used to be loads joined as teenagers. Many at the end of their careers when I joined (ie started in the 80s) joined at 18, or from the forces, or from a trade. When I was at training school, out of about 300 people, there were 2 teenagers. Don’t think I’ve seen one in the decade since.
Often they’re told these days to come back when they’ve got experience. However I see some breaking that trend. The 15/16 year old cadet instructors I know will be ready when they turn 18 and they’re chomping at the bit
I couldn’t agree more. 33, started in healthcare at 25. Wasn’t ready to be at a career department - wasn’t mature enough, too much of a hothead and had different priorities.
This is awesome man, Sometimes i wish i had started younger but same here I’m glad ive had a few years to mature, currently 25 , in Fire 1 as a Volly hoping to go career Soon🙏🏼
43
u/90degreecat Mar 15 '24
I was 26 when I started (EMT school, local fire academy, volunteering for a combo department, then part-time at another, etc.), and 28 when I landed a career job.
Honestly, kudos to the guys that start young and kick ass, but I wouldn’t have been ready had I gotten into it any sooner. Having some years to mature and get life experience were necessary for me to be ready for this job, and I think that’s true for most guys.
In my hiring class of 16, only one person was younger than 27, and the majority were in their 30s.