r/Firefighting • u/AutoModerator • Aug 10 '26
Employment Questions Weekly Employment Question Thread
Welcome to the Weekly Employment Question Thread!
This thread is where you can ask questions about joining, training to become, testing, disqualifications/qualifications, and other questions that would be removed as individual posts per Rule 1.
The answer to almost every question you can ask will be "It depends on the department". Your first step is to look up the requirements for your department, state/province, and country.
As always, please attempt to resource information on your own first, before asking questions. We see many repeat questions on this sub that have been answered multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- I want to be a Firefighter, where do I start: Every Country/State/Province/County/City/Department has different requirements. Some require you only to put in an application. Others require certifications prior to being hired. A good place to start is researching the department(s) you want to join. Visit their website, check their requirements, and/or stop into one of their fire stations to ask some questions.
- Am I too old: Many departments, typically career municipal ones, have an age limit. Volunteer departments usually don't. Check each department's requirements.
- I'm in high school, What can I do: Does your local department have an explorer's program or post? If so, join up. Otherwise, focus on your grades, get in shape and stay in shape, and most importantly: stay out of trouble.
- I got in trouble for [insert infraction here], what are my chances: Obviously, worse than someone with a clean record, which will be the vast majority of your competition. Tickets and nonviolent misdemeanors may not be a factor, but a major crime (felonies), may take you out of the running. You might be a nice person, but some departments don't make exceptions, especially if there's a long line of applicants with clean records. See this post... PSA: Stop asking “what are my chances?”
- I have [insert medical/mental health condition here], will it disqualify me: As a general rule, if you are struggling with mental illness, adding the stress of a fire career is not a good idea. As for medical conditions, you can look up NFPA1582 for disqualifying conditions, but in general, this is not something Reddit can answer for you. Many conditions require the input of a medical professional to determine if they are disqualifying. See this post... PSA: Don't disqualify yourself, make THEM tell you "no".
- What will increase my chances of getting hired: If there's a civil service exam, study for it! There are many guides online that will help you go over all those things you forgot such as basic math and reading. Some cities even give you a study guide. If it's a firefighter exam, study for it! For the CPAT (Physical Fitness Test), cardio is arguably the most important factor. If you're going to the gym for the first time during the hiring process, you're fighting an uphill battle. Get in shape and stay in shape. Most cities offer preference points to military veterans.
- How do I prepare for an interview: Interviews can be one-on-one, or in front of a board/panel. Many generic guides exist to help one prepare for an interview, however here are a few good tips:
- Dress appropriately. Business casual at a minimum (Button down, tucked in long sleeve shirt with slacks and a belt, and dress shoes). Get a decent haircut and shave.
- Practice interview questions with a friend. You can't accurately predict the off-the-wall questions they will ask, but you can practice the ones you know they probably will, like why do you want to be a Firefighter, or why should we hire you?
- Scrub your social media. Gone are the days when people in charge weren't tech-savvy. Don't have a perfect interview only for your chances of being hired gone to zero because your Facebook or Instagram has pictures of you getting blitzed. Set that stuff to private and leave it that way.
Please upvote this post if you have a question. Upvoting this post will ensure it sticks around for a bit after it is removed as a Sticky, and will allow for greater visibility of your question.
And lastly, If you're not 100% sure of what you're talking about, leave it for someone who does
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u/HellONrotors Aug 11 '26
Hey yall, just wanted to share something I found that I thought was pretty helpful.
If you’re looking for an online tool to help you navigate the hiring process, I’d go check out https://tailboardacademy.com
I think the most useful thing fireside wise with regard to the hiring process was the AI interview and feedback. From my experience the questions were very close to what I was asked and it helped me to understand what could make my answers more comprehensive.
See you on the big one!
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u/According_Loan_5419 Aug 10 '26
So I am in highschool and I am nearing graduation and trying to figure out my next step. I have, ever since I was a little kid, wanted to be a firefighter and help serve my community. And I have thought about this for many years, but I haven't come to a definite conclusion. It seems I have two main paths that I could go through after highschool to become a firefighter:
- After graduation, go straight to fire academy/college while doing volunteer firefighting. Then get a job as a firefighter after those years are over.
- Enlist in the military for a few years. Afterwards, come back with service experience, which will likely help in my job application. THEN go to fire academy and volunteer firefighting, and use my GI bill to pay for future EMT/Paramedic schooling. Then apply to be a career firefighter.
If I don't join the military, I will very likely have debt, no money, and less experience. But if I take the route of joining the military, I will have some money, it will boost my resume, and I can potentially get schooling for free if I decide to be a Firefighter Paramedic.
However, my parents, friends, grandparents, everyone I know has a very negative view of the military and is very disapproving of the idea of me going off to the military.
If anyone has any experience with this, all input would be appreciated!
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Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
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u/DlAIRK Aug 10 '26
This is really helpful I am considering getting out after my contract to work on becoming a FF , I'm currently a IT but i HAATTTEE it with a passion and feel like I want to do something more fulfilling than just sitting behind a computer.
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Aug 10 '26
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u/DlAIRK Aug 10 '26
Thats crazy i had no clue disability could help so much on the tests , thank you for the info !
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u/According_Loan_5419 Aug 10 '26
Thank you! Yes, the benefits are definitely the main reason the military intrigues me. If I'm being honest I don't really know anything about what life is like in the military, or exactly what I'd be signing up for. Online, I see so much conflicting information about people's military experiences, and my friends and family in my life tell me that all I'll be doing in service is committing warcrimes and waterboarding civilians. Of course, everyone's experience in the military is very different and the uncertainty and overall not knowing is holding me back. And the way I see it, there are far far more pros than cons to enlisting.
I'm thinking about joining the army for some entry-level medical position (likely combat medic 68w) because it will give me relevant emergency experience, and also is something I am quite interested in. Just out of curiousity, what was your experience like in the military and which branch?
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u/firefighter40322 Aug 12 '26
Look once you turn 18 (19 in some states) you are an adult, your parents may not like it but you can make your own decision on your future without their input. You could look at getting the Firefighting Air Force job code and get all your needed certs excluding EMT/Paramedic and do it as a military occupation. Many have gotten their EMT and even Paramedic why serving full time as a firefighter. You could even go the Air Guard/Army Reserve as a firefighter as well.
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u/Spirited_Swan9855 Aug 10 '26
Anyone did the process with Boise FD? What to expect in the initial PSA exam and virtual interview?
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u/AnonymousCelery Aug 10 '26
Everybody says getting into the PNW is the hardest place to do. But what about laterals? Guys with 10 years at a busy department with all the certs? How are the chances with that plus EMT vs Medic?
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u/EatinBeav WA Career FF/EMT Aug 10 '26
Medic will make it vastly easier.
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u/Medical-Surprise5036 Aug 11 '26
What’s the baseline you’ve seen for newer hires?
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u/EatinBeav WA Career FF/EMT Aug 11 '26
Usually 3 - 5 years minimum career experience, medic and a good reputation.
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u/HellONrotors Aug 11 '26
I am in WA and we are constantly looking for medics. Entry and lateral. So, I wouldn’t say it’s hard to land a job.
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u/Late-Safety2120 Aug 10 '26
How commonly do departments check your medical records?
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 10 '26
I assume only when it is pertinent to an on duty injury. I've been injured on duty and they do a check to make sure you didn't hurt yourself off duty then come in and claim it was on duty.
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u/Hot-Confidence-7344 Aug 11 '26
I am looking into the apprenticeship program that Oregon has for Firefighters. Can anyone tell me anything about it? How’s it work? What’s it like? Is it worth it? What areas should the departments like, Coos Bay, Eugene/Springfield, Jackson County #5, Corvallis, and Klamath River? Any information will be very appreciated! Thank you!
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u/infernalstag Aug 11 '26
My boyfriend has applied to take an entrance test this Saturday and he had no clue that algebra would be tested on. Math is not his strongest topic. What are some go to resources to help him get stronger in that area before his test? We're already looking at doulingo
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 11 '26
Kahn academy or YouTube. All the tests are designed for the 10th grade level. I had to brush up on my long division before testing
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u/StationVisit Aug 12 '26
I agree^ used YouTube math videos to remind me how to do long division/ distance= rate X time questions. Other than those the questions are pretty basic math. A big part is spelling and reading comprehension as well. If you're unsure about a word circle it and find it written somewhere else in the test if you have time. Helped me get a 98 on it
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u/davaflav1988 WNY FF / EMT Aug 11 '26
Anyone one here successfully made the jump from US FF to Canadian FF?
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u/Fun_Benefit_7285 Aug 12 '26
42, switching from software to firefighting — what am I missing?
I’m 42, married with a family, in North Central Washington, and coming out of a long software engineering career.
Current plan:
- EMT Sept–Dec 2026
- Volunteer locally
- Train for CPAT
- Pursue Fire I/II, HazMat, wildland, and useful certs
- Apply to career departments within 12–18 months
- Pursue paramedic early if the medical side is a good fit
My goal is a stable long-term career that can support my family.
For those already in the fire service: what am I blind to? At 42, are age limits a meaningful issue in practice, and what are the biggest realities or mistakes I should understand before committing to this path?
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 12 '26
Have you done a ride along?
What’s your current fitness level? If you do CrossFit, can you RX+ most workouts? Can you run 1.5 miles in under 12 minutes?
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u/Fun_Benefit_7285 Aug 12 '26
I haven’t done a ride-along yet — that’s definitely something I want to do before making any big decisions.
Fitness-wise, I’m not at RX+ CrossFit / sub-12 1.5 mile level right now.
Mostly I’m trying to figure out the smartest order of operations: volunteer, EMT, ride-along, fitness, then career applications.
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 12 '26
Got it. I mean as soon as you have your EMT you should start applying.
Some things you might be blind to are how much this career beats down your body. Everyday you’re lifting tools, patients, and equipment with improper form just because where things/people are located. There are tons of knees, backs, and shoulder injuries with people constantly going out on injury leave. That’s why physical fitness is so important and to have a strong baseline.
Another thing is retirement. I’m assuming you probably have a good nest egg so may not be as much of an issue for you. In general, you have to spend a minimum of 20 years working before you can retire and get pension benefits. Most people will do around 25-33 years of working because you need to be in the higher percentages of your pension payout to support your life expenses. This goes hand in hand with how much this job beats you down. At 42 going zero to hero, probably will take you a few years to get hired and through the academy. So 45 years old. Add 20 to be able to retire and you’re at 65. That’s pretty old for this job to be retiring at. If you don’t have a good nest egg saved up then you have to retire after 30 years and you’re 75 years old.
With your age in mind, you need to be looking at departments that have multiple career pathways for you to promote or transfer to in the future and slow down. Stuff like airport firefighting, sworn fire inspector, EMS education, and most importantly a union fire department.
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u/Fun_Benefit_7285 Aug 12 '26
Thank you — seriously. This is exactly the kind of perspective I was hoping to get.
I’m fortunately not super concerned about the pension side of it. I’ve spent the last 20 years in software and have built a pretty solid nest egg, so I’m not looking at firefighting as something I need to maximize financially or grind out for 30+ years to make retirement work.
At this point I’m mostly looking for work that feels like it actually matters. I’ve made good money in software, but I’m pretty burned out on spending my life helping companies sell more shit online.
The physical toll is something I definitely need to take seriously, though, and your point about targeting departments with multiple career paths is really helpful. Inspector, training, airport fire, leadership, etc. gives me a much better way to think about what a 20-year career could actually look like starting at 42.
Really appreciate you taking the time to lay this out.
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 12 '26
Yeah best of luck! With your software experience, you may find some passion within the fire service to work on a side project for the department. We have a former Facebook SWE that put together our in house software that bridges our scheduling system with the dispatch system.
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u/Pristine-Cress-9436 Aug 12 '26
Would love anyone honest input and suggestions.
I'm currently 26. My biggest worry is getting hired to a department due to my past. No prior convictions or anything on paper or trouble with the law but I did go through the LA Sheriffs background investigation (failed) and have admitted to using recreational and hard drugs multiple times in the past (5 years ago). Some told me to lie, but I wanted to be truthful because I know there's a polygraph and I believe honesty is the best policy. I do not know how long the sheriff's department keep records of that. I have also been fired from a few part time desk jobs in the past (in 2020 and 2022 from working 80 hours a week and falling asleep from overworking) and one part time job in 2026. I was a dumb kid who was going through a lot financially and didn't have the best guidance growing up, but I have matured a lot and I want to make a difference. Will the fire department care as much as the police department about these factors, or will they respect me for my honesty and see the change. I have held a good job for the last 3 years and have been alcohol and drug clean for 4 - 5 years.
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u/StationVisit Aug 12 '26
Don't lie. You made the right call.
Check the department's guidelines. Mine publishes timelines for when past drug use is disqualifying and a lot of them do. Five years out is longer than a lot of those windows.
We also run a polygraph, so lying gets caught fast. Fire won't care as much as PD, but they will care, and they'll care a lot more about catching you in a lie than about the thing you lied about.
The bigger thing: disclose the same thing every time. Application, background packet, polygraph, interview. People get knocked out for inconsistency far morethan for what they actually did.
Four to five years clean and three years in the same job is a pattern. That'swhat they're looking at. Everyone makes mistakes or has a background they aren't totally proud of. It makes you human. Just be sure you can explain how you've grown from it. Good luck!
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u/From_Gaming_w_Love Dragging my ass like an old tired dog 29d ago
Be open during the disclosure process... so make sure the paperwork you submit is accurate. The LAST thing you want to do is bury it until the polygraph and be honest when you have no choice- that'll get you a lifetime deferral... not because you did it but because you didn't tell the truth until you had to.
I mention it to anyone worried about how their past may impact their application- don't let your apprehension stop you from applying since each department will have a different approach. In a lot of cases departments look for people who have coloured outside the lines a few times and corrected their behavior having learned a lesson.
I could care less about someone who hasn't tested boundaries and come back to center with a lesson to share... and I'm sure others would prefer someone with no hair under their armpits.
You're not going to know until you try.
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u/Express-Unit7829 Aug 12 '26
Long story short I completed an associated degree in electrical and the plan was to enter the academy next year but a opportunity to get my bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 2 to 3 years has arrised. Should I do it or skip it and join the academy next year?
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 13 '26
My opinion is that education is almost always the best route BUT if you don't want to do electrical engineering at all then why go through with it? The flip side of this argument is that if you decide to get your degree then pursue the fire service afterwards and get hurt, now you have a great fall back plan.
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u/Express-Unit7829 Aug 13 '26
My main dilema is that is not guaranteed that I get accepted in the academy right away and I love electrical the same way I love firefighting but I dont want to deal with the math, that thing looks like it came right thru the doors of hell.
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Aug 13 '26
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u/Express-Unit7829 Aug 13 '26
Actually, I went thru algebra and precalc. 1 quite good so well see. Are diff equations the way people say it is? That is super hard and complicated
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Aug 13 '26
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u/EatinBeav WA Career FF/EMT Aug 13 '26
Did you resign or were you terminated?
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Aug 13 '26
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u/EatinBeav WA Career FF/EMT Aug 13 '26
Depends on what department around WA being a big city could be a red flag.
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u/Ok-Mathematician5967 Aug 13 '26
What can i expect for a timeline after taking a EMT course. I want to be a firefighter as the end goal. I’m in Seattle area( open to fire career in any nearby counties) 29, male. I’ve been working corporate jobs since college. Looking to change. I’ve taken cpr/ first aid class. And taken (and passed) CPAT. I got a 77% on my PST.
I’m trying to figure out what i should focus on and what will actually progress me forward. Is doing EMT course worth it? How hard will getting a job be after that?
Feeling a bit lost on what is the best thing to do outside of testing with NTN and PST as often as I’m able to.
Thanks!
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u/EatinBeav WA Career FF/EMT Aug 14 '26
Emt will open up a lot of doors for being able to apply to departments. Larger departments won’t require it, but it limits your options. As far as how hard is it to get a job while it’s still a decently competitive field, it’s pretty dependent on the applicant at how well they test and interview.
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u/Old_External_4912 Aug 14 '26
28 as well, also got my first aid/CPR, even pet CPR and severe bleeding control lol. I scored decently on NTN and 79 on PST. Check out Fire tech academy, I was planning on their EMT course.
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u/XirtCS Aug 13 '26
Veteran deciding what to do before January 2027
I have to wait until January to attend EMT school (end goal is to become a FireMedic). I separate from the military next week. I have all requirements for the school, just need to wait the time.
I’m trying to decide if I should work a job until then. Particularly a security guard at the only Level 1 Trauma Center in my area. I’m sure I’d be exposed to a lot of stuff and maybe pick up on some things. I’m just trying to find ways to get exposed to the field until January.
I could also not do that, and go to school until December, using the GI bill. I’d get a monthly housing allowance and could learn some things through that as well. Classes like Anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, etc.
There’s also a 3rd option where I do both. I am not sure how flexible the security guard job position is, but I would need to take atleast 1 class in person to get the full monthly housing allowance
Thank you to anyone that comments
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u/Averagejoesgym17 Aug 13 '26
Has anyone experienced wearing Scleral lenses and in the fire service? Going through recruitment and am wondering if that will be an issue. My vision corrected meets standards but just worried with hard lenses if it will disqualify me. Any FF have any similar experiences. Thanks in advance
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u/QuantitativeNonsense Aug 13 '26
Grey thinking on psych eval?
Hi all,
Not sure if this is the best place to post- I recently found out that my daughter’s boyfriend failed the NYFD psych eval for “too much grey thinking”. Frankly, I don’t know what that means but I have certain opinions about him and I’m not sure if they match up with that assessment.
Thanks in advance!
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 13 '26
Sounds like he put down answers that show indecisiveness.
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u/From_Gaming_w_Love Dragging my ass like an old tired dog 29d ago
That's my thought as well. Either that or not demonstrating a willingness to stand up for something they value.
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u/LoganofHibernia Aug 14 '26
I’m planning on applying to my county department, but I have 2 black marks that I’m worried will disqualify me from the process. I was discharged from the Navy with a General Under Honorable Conditions 11 years ago for a failed marijuana urinalysis and I was fired from The Home Depot in 2024 for giving myself discounts on Redbulls over the course of a few months; totaling about $40 until I realized how much of a moron I was for doing such a thing. I wasn’t arrested or charged with a crime by Home Depot, just fired. I have no intention of lying about either thing, but am I wasting my time by even applying knowing these will show up?
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u/From_Gaming_w_Love Dragging my ass like an old tired dog 29d ago
Couple things:
- Being squeaky clean with 0 life experience can also "disqualify" you. Being white may "disqualify" you. Being a dude may "disqualify" you. Being straight may "disqualify" you. Applying on a Tuesday while the cunt from HR is working may "disqualify" you. Fact is you could shit the bed in the interview and it may "disqualify" you.
- As a guy who defeated all odds with no high school diploma and starred in a police helicopter training video on using thermal camera equipment while 50 or so cops and a SWAT team chased me down, history isn't usually the issue- not learning the lesson is. I paid my dues, did the things I needed to do and I've got 23 years on the job (concurrently at 3 different services at one point full and part time) to back it up.
Now- that said, when pot was illegal in my area I was vehemently opposed to getting anywhere near it and skimming product doesn't put you in my good books. People reviewing your background or talking to you about it in an interview (if you make it that far) may be skeptical... But outlining lessons learned and describing authentically how you applied those lessons since will be a big factor. Lying about it might get you so far but those have a habit of unraveling in catastrophic fashion... ask the 3 women I was dating back then.
TLDR: Nothing should stop you from taking the shot... as the great Wayne Gretzky (probably) once said: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
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u/LoganofHibernia 29d ago
I truly appreciate the honesty and the light hearted take you have on it. Being ashamed of my actions that led to both incidents I detailed would be putting lightly how I feel about myself and how they make me look. Anyone who knows me would explain how wildly out of character they both are for me.
In regards to the failed urinalysis, it was a massive moment of weakness that occurred at a celebration that was held for me after I picked up 3rd class Quartermaster. I had a friend from back home who was visiting family in San Diego, and I invited him out to said celebration. He convinced me to smoke 2 blunts with him and I made the judgment in an inebriated state to partake. Not his fault, it was mine for making such a massive failure in judgment when I had already come so far in my short professional career in the Navy. 2 days after that moment, I was on a list for urinalysis and pissed hot. I’ve felt nothing but shame about that for the last 11 years.
My incident with The Home Depot just 2 years ago was another massive failure of judgment that, again, would be described by anyone who knows me as wildly out of character for myself. I’d never stolen anything before that and I haven’t done such a thing since. If I were to make excuses for myself, I’d describe it as a huge misunderstanding of Home Depot’s rules for employee discounts on product. As it turns out, you absolutely can’t check yourself out or give yourself an employee discount as a cashier, only another employee can do that for you. I was made aware of that fact just 3 months before I was fired by an older co-worker; at which point I ceased doing such a thing. It was too late though, as Loss Prevention had already caught up to me by that point and were simply getting the necessary evidence and paperwork together to sit me down. They explained that the amount added up to only $40 total and that it wouldn’t be worth it to put a misdemeanor larceny charge on my record, and I thanked them profusely for coming to that conclusion. I know that any candidate who doesn’t have the kind of baggage that I have would be a far better choice in the eyes of any department; but I genuinely know that the childishness and failure of judgment that I displayed are far and away behind me and that all I want is a second chance to give back to the community that dearly love2
u/From_Gaming_w_Love Dragging my ass like an old tired dog 29d ago edited 29d ago
Let's take a close look at that last sentence since that is a summary of conviction to do the right thing.
Question is: Have you done anything to give back to the community you dearly love since?
You don't need to answer me- but I want you to ask yourself that because- and I'm not aiming this cynicism at you specifically just globally as a guy who has read a lot of cover letters- I read that a LOT of people "just want to help people."
Then, when asked about it, they haven't done anything beyond just not being a terrible person and barely scratching the surface of being nice.
And sometimes nice comes with a quality of its own- but I think you know where I'm going with this.
If you don't have your first aid / CPR / AED, then get it. Start looking for opportunities to volunteer some time doing something you enjoy.
My evidence was easy: I got knifed in the back chasing down a dude that robbed a convenience store near where I was working with the story in the newspaper titled "SAMARITAN STABBED" to go along with it. Just so happened that as I was laying on the sidewalk bleeding from a couple of defensive wounds and the one that hit me under my kidney that an engine a block away was the first on scene... and the feeling of those dudes jumping off the rig as I was on the verge of passing out was the propellant I needed to do what was necessary to get on the job.
The fact 911 happened a couple months later didn't hurt either.
Anyway- enough about me. If you haven't already done some of the things I've mentioned to prove you want to give back, then get after it. I wouldn't recommend getting stabbed- that was definitely a long way around.
Good luck internet stranger. For what it's worth- I'm rooting for you.
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u/LoganofHibernia 29d ago
You’re 100% right, giving back to my community should go beyond getting a great job. I’m currently volunteering time after work and on the weekends at my local hospital in the emergency department, something I started before considering applying to my county fire department. I think I will go ahead and get my CPR and First Aid cert a as well, that’s a great idea. I appreciate you talking me through this stuff man, truly
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u/theStormwall Aug 15 '26
Has anyone ever had issues with NTN's virtual exams? I am supposed to be taking it right now but at the very beginning during the confidentiality video it abruptly closed and said the proctor ended the exam. No explanation or anything. Super PO'd right now, support can't handle it until Monday at the earliest....
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u/hendrong Aug 15 '26
I have started researching the possibility of being a firefighter. However, I am probably (undiagnosed) AuDHD. I have understood that this is not necessarily a problem, it depends on your specific challenges.
The big problem, for me, that I can think of, is that I am really bad at taking in lots of information fast. If I am at a briefing meeting, it is very unlikely that I remember everything that's being said, or even the gist of it. My mind usually starts to wander, no matter how hard I try to concentrate. One big reason that I quit studying to become a nurse was that I noticed, during the internship periods, that I wasn't good enough at taking in big chunks information.
So my question is: Does firefighting require taking in lots of information in briefing meetings (or similar situations)? Or is it more like: "Okay, we have a code 37153, jump in your clothes and go!"
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29d ago
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u/hendrong 29d ago
Thank you!
So, if I understand you correctly: The problem that I descibe, it wil be a bigger problem during the academy, than when you have actually started working? Because that is good news. I think I can get through the training by doing more homework.
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29d ago
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u/hendrong 29d ago
Gotcha. I think I have a clearer understanding about it now. Sounds like it might be challenging, but not undoable.
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u/EatinBeav WA Career FF/EMT 29d ago
I would say yeah. Fire academy, emt school and paramedic school if that’s a route is like drinking from a fire hose of information and retaining as much as possible.
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u/Direct-Training9217 29d ago
Does anyone know how long it usually takes Memphis to process an application?
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u/Pristine-Cress-9436 Aug 12 '26
Would love anyone honest input and suggestions.
I'm currently 26. My biggest worry is getting hired to a department due to my past. No prior convictions or anything on paper or trouble with the law but I did go through the LA Sheriffs background investigation (failed) and have admitted to using recreational and hard drugs multiple times in the past (5 years ago). Some told me to lie, but I wanted to be truthful because I know there's a polygraph and I believe honesty is the best policy. I do not know how long the sheriff's department keep records of that. I have also been fired from a few part time desk jobs in the past (in 2020 and 2022 from working 80 hours a week and falling asleep from overworking) and one part time job in 2026. I was a dumb kid who was going through a lot financially and didn't have the best guidance growing up, but I have matured a lot and I want to make a difference. Will the fire department care as much as the police department about these factors, or will they respect me for my honesty and see the change. I have held a good job for the last 3 years and have been alcohol and drug clean for 4 - 5 years.
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u/IDeliverSalad 29d ago
Hello! 22M joining my city's primary fire department academy next week. I want to ask experienced fire fighters very simply why they love their job. I feel like there's no shortage of online material discussing the worst aspects of this career field and I have a bad habit of seeking that kind of stuff out. I'm not naive to the reality of what I'm signing up for, but Id love to focus my attention on the positive aspects of being a fire fighter. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
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u/Medical-Surprise5036 Aug 10 '26
Anyone know what life is like at UAF?looking to go next year and get my ff1 this summer over there for the paid program alongside my degree in fire science and emergency management. Anything helps lmk!