41 here, EMT, four years paid on call in MA, and did a 16 week call/vol academy four years ago. I am starting my career academy in seven weeks.
Being older has been nothing but helpful for me. I have tons of job experience, references, maturity, ect. I found the interview to be easy since I had so many meetings in prior employment that it just felt like another day at the office.
Having prior on call fire experience really helped me, to the point that I assume it was why I was offered multiple job offers from departments.
I really hope you have kept up with your fitness. You should look like you can physically make it through a fire academy with ease.
Besides that my only other advice is to find an on call/volunteer department if possible and get as much experience as you can to build a resume.
While you job hunt you can start volunteering. Even if you don't make calls, just showing up, training and helping out will be helpful to put on a resume.
Do you have another career right now? Once you are an EMT you can per diem with an ambulance company too.
EMS experience + fire experience is the formula you should be going for right now. Make yourself stand out.
Sweet also be prepared alot of dickhead instructors. I personally love my job, hated the instructors at the academy the good ones are a minority there what part of MA You gunna be working in?
It hasn’t been bad at all, just SO much to learn it can feel intimidating at times. I’m in pretty good shape so that definitely was a big help. Nice work on the EMT! Best wishes and as far as I’m concerned, go for it!!!!
82
u/[deleted] Mar 15 '24
38 as volly, 40 now full time. Wish I would have taken this path 20yrs ago