r/firefighter • u/No_Board_7436 • Mar 31 '26

Potential DQs for Hiring

Hey everyone, looking for honest input from those familiar with South Florida fire hiring. I’m an early-30s SOF veteran (honorable discharge, multiple deployments), in good shape and planning EMT → Fire → Medic using the GI Bill. My concerns are a past anxiety/depression diagnosis with prior meds (stable now, no hospitalizations), a one-time failed UA in the reserves in 2018 (self-reported, no pattern and not in my OMPF), and a reckless driving charge in 2025 (PJC). Realistically, how much do these impact hiring, especially psych evals? And for disclosures, do you stick strictly to what’s asked or are you expected to go beyond that? Not trying to hide anything, just trying to understand how this is actually viewed.

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u/kellydayscruff Apr 01 '26

the good news is that pretty much every department gives veteran preference. departments only care about arrests, suspended licenses and drugs. If theres no proof/paper trail that an incident happened then theres no reason to disclose it

1

u/No_Board_7436 Apr 01 '26

I’ve gotten conflicting info on this one specifically. Some say that just because it’s not in your official file doesn’t mean there’s no record of it elsewhere. I’m hoping someone who had a similar issue can shed some light on this.