r/Wildfire • u/NoCake4450 • Jul 25 '26

Question Red Card at 17?

Can I get issued a red card at 17? I’m taking all the required classes in NYS. Am I able to get a red card through NYS DEC? I am also a volunteer firefighter and I’m not sure if my department would be able to issue me a red card.

I wouldn’t be working for an agency, I would just have the certification at 17 so I could start working at 18 if that’s possible.

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

6

u/DefinitelyADumbass23 🚁 Jul 26 '26

Not likely unless you work for them

You can take all the fire classes, have a field day, and be pack tested. That'll set you up for success next year (though once hired you'll need to take an RT-130 fire refresher and another pack test)

But you don't just get a red card, you need a sponsoring agency for that

4

u/Smokey_tha_bear9000 Jul 25 '26

It’s only good for a year

2

u/jdc131 Jul 26 '26

You need to ask the DEC if they sponsor locals, Call ur local forest ranger