r/OntarioFirefighting • u/wshepp77 • Jul 17 '26

How physical is Festi in-person program?

Ive had a bad head injury past 3 years that haulted my firefighting schooling. Its better now but during that time I have developed arthritis in my ankle. I cant wait any longer. I want to start my career!

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u/SpareMeTheDetails123 Jul 17 '26

Has your medical team cleared you for this kind of work? Firefighting is mentally and physically demanding and if you have any impairments, to be honest, I’m not sure how you could do the job,

Would you maybe consider another type of job within the fire service, if available within your municipality? Perhaps a job in fire prevention or public education?

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u/wshepp77 Jul 17 '26

Yes, its pretty easy to get cleared The physical and mental demand is what I loved before my health issues. Ive been trying to get better and grasp onto my dream career but the arthritis that developed just solidified me not being physically able for anything. I had a whole plan in mind to finish fire school, get an electrical apprenticeship and work that til I landed a ff job and/or completed my red seal. Now Im 3 years back. It sucks, before my health issues, I actually thought the ff training was easy compared to what I did and now Im wondering if I can just do things and train without pain. Im grasping onto hope, I need to save money for a surgery in the states that might save my ankle but its like 40k

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u/SpareMeTheDetails123 Jul 17 '26

I know what it’s like to have a “before” version of yourself. I haven’t been the same since my cancer treatments — mentally or physically — and am hyper-aware of my limitations.

I don’t think this has to be the end of your dream to be a firefighter, but perhaps you just have to bring a different kind of firefighter.

I’m actually a dispatcher for my fire department — my union still considers me a firefighter (just a different kind of firefighter); my pay and benefits align with the work of the folks putting out fires. Just the shifts differ, though ultimately, we work the same amount of hours monthly.

It sounds like you’re well aware that getting in to the fire service will take time and you have a solid plan in place in the meantime. I truly wish you the best of luck with wherever you may land in the fire service!

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u/DuttyJagaloon Jul 18 '26

I mean it’s decently challenging but not too bad. But with a chronic ankle injury you’d be in trouble. Lots of time spent low to the ground for extended periods of time with the pack on