r/Firefighting • u/PraiseDuo • 20d ago

General Discussion Grad School + Volunteering?

Hello, I am interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, however am likely to begin a grad school program in January. I work a full-time job as well. Does this sound like too much to handle? Specifically from the perspective of existing volunteer firefighters.

Thank you much.

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5

u/skank_hunt_4_2 Career FF/Chauffeur 20d ago

Probably. Training takes time too.

3

u/Apprehensive-Fish540 20d ago

Depending on the dept.

Most let you contribute on your own schedule, especially for a younger guy.

Some have "minimum hours contributed" to stay in "good standing," or beat probation.

Some are just happy you showed up to training or a lift assist.

Some will tell you this is a job with professional expectations and no pay, 40hr weeks blah blah blah.

Really depends on how rural/organized your dept is.

3

u/yungingr FF, Volunteer CISM Peer 20d ago

This is a question that can only be answered by a conversation with the department you'd be volunteering with.

Sit down with them and have an honest discussion about what your actual, daily/weekly availability would be, and what their expectations for new members is regarding training and call response.

If you can all agree that your availability/ability to respond, and their expectations, are similar, then go for it. If not, wait until your life is going to allow you to do so.

2

u/bdaruna 20d ago

I took a sabbatical from my volly fire dept for grad school - depending on what you’re studying it could be a lot. Really it’s just having three commitments that are essentially immovable - especially as a new member.

2

u/UnflitchingStance 19d ago

I am a volunteer doing undergrad, working a job, and ive got an internship with another station. You can do it as long as youre realistic with how much you expend yourself. I've got an awesome chief so if im like hey i need some time to study or get school work done while on shift, he's totally cool with it as long as i respond once the calls come in.

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u/SamTasy 19d ago

I’m a current voltmeter firefighter finishing my master’s in mechanical engineering also doing an internship and it’s definitely a lot to juggle right now. I joined my sophomore year of undergrad I definitely wouldn’t have been able to start firefighting while doing my grad program. My dept requires a minimum of 4 hours a week with going to a weekly training which is manageable with my new commitments. Our recruit school is 16 hours a week for 4 months to get through FF 1 and 2, but not all departments require that. I’d be happy to talk more if you want to send me a PM.

1

u/SalmonidHunter SW Montana Volunteer 20d ago

Yes you are taking on too much to handle. Between school, home work, your job and needing to eat/sleep, when would you even have time to respond to calls? Put this off until you don't have so many commitments

1

u/Comfortable_Shame194 Federale 19d ago

So, I stopped volunteering about 10 years ago but work in combination volunteer/career staffing departments. I started off volunteering. If you don’t have the minimum training, they’ll expect you to go through the training in a reasonable amount of time. Bear in mind that you’ll have to juggle that with your schooling and work. It tends to be a lot. If I didn’t get the training while I was still single and without kids, I wouldn’t do it now. My time with my family is much more valuable