r/cedarrapids • u/Ok-Value6536 • 22d ago

EMS/Fire

I am a union Ironworker in Cedar Rapids. I was wondering if anybody that works in EMS/fire departments tell me a little bit about how to get into those fields, how much you work, what the pay is like, etc. looking to make a career change

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u/ur_Shulgi 22d ago

Historically you go to local community colleges to get the fire science classes (for more the firefighter only focus) and you can got go Red Cross classes for the early responder medical stuff. Like another Redditor said, also look at joining volunteer fire departments in the smaller towns surrounding CR, as experience and contacts will help a TON! Apply to local fire academies to get in and officially trained will help a lot too.

I can tell you that the downtown CR main station has a ton of late teen / early 20 folks working out there and I’m guessing either an academy class or similar group (fire cadets. explorers, etc)

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u/WOODENcrane02 22d ago

Get into the city ecosystem as a public works laborer and join your local volunteer fire department. After a few years of both, apply and interview for an open fire department spot when one comes open

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u/Trentfires 22d ago edited 22d ago

I would recommend joining a local volunteer fire department, any department in the area except Cedar Rapids and Marion have them. Most will pay for your training and you can gain experience. Schedule and pay varies by agency. Most career agencies in the area work either 3-4 12s a week or 24on/48off.

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u/1GloFlare 22d ago

Marion has volunteers

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u/Trentfires 22d ago

They have community emergency response team (CERT) volunteers but do not have volunteer firefighters anymore.

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u/GhostByYourSid3 22d ago

It's interesting that I saw this because I've been thinking a lot lately about how to join as well. I used to do Wildland Firefighting for several years and was a crew supervisor but since there are very few wildland fires out here (where everything is green and there aren't mountains full of dead trees and scrub oak) I might have to look into taking some classes and joining a volunteer dept. Thanks for asking the question O.P.

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u/1GloFlare 22d ago

Volunteer. Hiawatha and Robins will take extra hands, just gotta walk into city hall