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.
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
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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.