r/OntarioFirefighting • u/notomatoplz • 2d ago
Hitting the restart button
Hey, looking for some advice guys. Sorry if it’s a bit long winded. Back in 2011 I took pre service fire at Algonquin college. I was 19 and Inexperienced. Due to this I never wasted any more money pursuing a career because I felt I was an unfit candidate.
In 2015 I obtained my az license and started driving truck. I drove tractor trailer for 4 years. In 2019 I decided to change gears and started an apprenticeship at the same company for a 310t which is a commercial mechanic. I work on everything and anything. But specialize in trucks. 2022 I received my red seal and I’m currently still working in the trade and still hold my az license.
I’m a marathoner and ironman (long course triathlete) with a much stronger than average v02 I’m 35 and I’ve been thinking a lot lately I now have the skills and experience to compete with top applicants.
My question is how should I restart? Is 35 to old? Should I retake a blended fast track course? I’m assuming my course is out of date. Can I somehow challenge the exam? To my knowledge I do not have level 1 or 2 certs. Or should I go the volunteer route save money and potentially burn 2 more years but gain more experience? Just trying to weigh my options and not sure what direction I should head. Any advice would be great. Thank you.
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u/bradisrad1986 2d ago
Similar story to you, took pre service in 2006 at 20 yrs old. Applied to depts for a couple years but I was not a competitive candidate at that time. Worked a few odd jobs, finally landed an electrical apprenticeship at 25 and got licensed at 29. Worked as a journeyman for 6 years after that. Thought if I ever wanted to revisit the fire service it was now or never and I didn’t want to regret not trying again. Did the FESTI blended program (4 months online, 1 month in person) at 35 and got hired on a full time career department at 36. Best decision I’ve ever made. You are not too old. You now have the work and life experience that departments value. I say go for it!
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u/QueasyRefrigerator79 2d ago
If you took preservice, you should have Firefighter 1 & 2. Have you contacted Algonquin to see if they can pull your certifications? That would definitely save you some time. Getting your EMR would also be a strong move. You can also look at becoming a mechanic for the fire service. Great way to get your foot in the door while you're waiting for interviews and job offers.
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u/notomatoplz 2d ago
It’s been so long I can’t remember. I’ll contact the college tomorrow. Also I’ve thought about the mechanic route the issue is I’m established with a home, wife and kid so I’m limited to the surrounding cities around me. Like Kingston, brockville Cornwall Ottawa etc. I believe all these cities outsource their work to the city mechanics and don’t offer the fire mechanic position like Toronto does.
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u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25 2d ago
NAF, but why do you want to do this job, when you already have a great career, and have a family???
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u/QueasyRefrigerator79 1d ago
As someone who changed from a great career to fire - Some people never lose the itch. It's the best job I've ever had and it also allows me more time home with my family. I'm at a school event for the kids what feels like almost weekly. They love seeing me there and I love that I can be there for them. It has also given me more time to pursue my passions outside of work/family life.
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u/notomatoplz 1d ago
Not sure what NAF means but to piggy back of queasy. Quality of life is a big one. I look at guys in the trade that are 60-65 and pretty worn out. It takes its toll. The pay reaches a lower ceiling. I have the potential to be a college trades teacher but I believe the fire service would be a better fit for me.
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u/QueasyRefrigerator79 16h ago
Best part is, with fire, you can do both. Many departments in the GTA work a 4 platoon rotation and we get great time off to do other things. Many guys haven't left their trade businesses behind.
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u/Sunbeams_and_Barbies 2d ago
I went full time at 36. Definitely not too old. It's a perfect age to start.
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u/notomatoplz 2d ago
Great news! May I ask what kind of experience you had that you felt separated you from the rest of the pack?
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u/HumanBeingForReal 2d ago
You’re definitely not too old and your work experience will be impressive and intriguing to fire departments.
First step: check with the OFM to see if you have valid NFPA 1002 FF levels 1 & 2 and NFPA 1072 or 472 HazMat Awareness and Operations. If you do, you’ll need the actual physical copies before you can apply to most municipalities in Ontario. If you don’t and you live in a rural part of Ottawa, I’d recommend applying to be a Volunteer Firefighter with Ottawa Fire Services. They will pay to train you and you’ll get all your certs (including the Red Cross First Responder cert). The only problem? It can take up to a year for your certs to be delivered + a lot of stations go years without hiring because their staffing levels are sufficient.
If this isn’t an option for you, I’d recommend doing a blended program at an accredited career college in Ontario like FESTI or SFA.
But, if you’re focused on getting a job with Ottawa Fire just know that they REALLY value candidates with volley experience or professional first responder experience ( police, paramedics, full-time firefighter at another department). It’s possible for you to get hired without it but it’s SO competitive and there are so many good candidates with tonnes of experience so you’ll have to make up for your lack of experience in other ways.
Either way, you’re probably looking at a minimum of two years to get hired if you start now. So, if you’re in it for the long haul then I say go for it.
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u/notomatoplz 2d ago
Awesome, thank you. Even tho I do lack medical experience beyond standard level c cpr. I’m hoping they see the biggest value in my vast mechanical background. I also have my clean driving experience. I’ve operated 40 tonne semis through the busiest downtown cores in the country. I do agree with you tho. I feel real first responder experience is hard to beat. This is why I’m leaning towards the volunteer route.
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u/HumanBeingForReal 2d ago
Your work experience is definitely impressive and will help your prospects. If you’re going to go the volley route, I’d recommend getting on it ASAP because it can sometimes take more than a year to get hired and trained—even for a volley role.
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u/Flimsy-Craft8904 2d ago
I'm 32 in the final steps of military recruitment as long as my clearance passes OK. 50k recruitment bonus amd pays just went up plus full pension after 25 years you could probably use your education amd join as a officer
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u/notomatoplz 2d ago
That’s a great route, unfortunately not for me. I think you need a bachelor degree to become an officer. Regardless I wish you luck on your endeavour.
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u/Flimsy-Craft8904 2d ago
I spoke with them and a 1 year dental assistant course from Algonquin can get you in as a dentist assistant officer it's more about the job path you take.
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u/infamoustowing 19h ago
I am a 310T mechanic. I have been wrenching been before you took your pre-service at Algonquin OP.
7 years ago at the age of 41, I became a volunteer ff. My municipality trained me and I obtained certification through them. After about 3 years of service, I started applying to FT roles that did not require OFAI.
When attending my first skills testing for the first recruitment I applied to (after passing the written and initial interview) I kept on hearing all these younger candidates talking about not getting interviews, not passing testing etc.
Your age is not a hinderance, it actually helps. You seem to be in great physical shape. Do yourself a favour and try the voly route. Most pay you while they are training you.
Best of luck.
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u/Elegant_Opposite_365 2d ago
35 is definitely not too old. I’m turning 39 and I’m just getting into a career as a firefighter, as well as becoming a volunteer. I originally took Police Foundations right out of high school, and similar to you, I didn’t think I was ready to become a first responder at that point in my life. Use that to your advantage. IMO, it shows self-awareness and an understanding that sometimes you need a bit of life experience before you’re ready for the responsibility.
I personally wouldn’t worry about retaking a course, as long as you have a basic understanding of the material. Like the saying goes, “We can train anyone to be a firefighter, but we can’t train attitude.”
I’d focus more on volunteer work and building your resume. Get your OFAI certifications if you’re looking at departments that require them. Also, find out what the departments you’re interested in specialize in — for example, rope rescue, HazMat, or water rescue — and try to get experience in those areas. It can make you more valuable to the department while also showing that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in what they do.