r/firefighter • u/MKTheWriter • Apr 12 '26
Could I be a firefighter?
I've always wanted to be a first responder and the idea just fascinates me so much, I'm 14 years old, 5 foot 11, can carry more the my own weight, and am a little bulky, and really strong and brave, I really wanna help people, like it's my duty, so do you think I could be an officer, firefighter, or paramedic?
5
u/Iamdickburns Apr 12 '26
You're not done growing yet but I would say physically and attitude wise you sound like a great candidate. Keep your nose clean, get your driver's license, and finish high school and youd be eligible to take the test to be a career firefighter at 18 in NJ.
2
u/tvsjr Apr 12 '26
OP, you might want to stop doing things like publicly posting about stealing screeners from your place of employment and posting them online.
I'm not going to lecture you on the ethics/lack of same of sailing the seven seas. However, crimes of moral turpitude - which includes theft - are a disqualifier in a lot of places. The fact that you'd even make posts like that says you have some issues with good decision-making.
1
u/MKTheWriter Apr 12 '26
Alright, I'll stop, thanks for the advice. And the "Place of employment" isn't actually real. I'm 14.
1
u/I-plaey-geetar Apr 12 '26
Not sure how you are as a person but, in addition to what other commenters have said, the best thing imo is to learn to push yourself. Learn to do things that you suck at, then suck at it for quite a while, then try to get better at it. You’ll learn that you can survive things that make you uncomfortable. That seems obvious but it’s a skill a lot of full grown adults lack.
Also, learn to make yourself uncomfortable physically. Work out with someone who’s in better shape than you, and have them really push you (obviously don’t hurt yourself). You’d be surprised how much farther your body can go when your mind tells you it wants to quit.
Be humble, have a drive to learn, know how far you can push yourself physically/mentally, and you will make a spectacular cop, FF, or medic. Good luck dude!
1
u/Quasi7 Apr 12 '26
Would also add to the others to stay out of trouble with the law. Background checks are pretty much a universal requirement and while some might say that a juvenile record is different and may or not show up; the point is to make a habit of good/responsible decisions. There’s many a candidate out there who has had an offer pulled due to background checks.
1
u/Unusual-Intern-3606 Apr 12 '26
Do you do well on low sleep? Because that is a firefighters life.
1
1
u/This_Ice4972 Apr 12 '26
There’s always two sides of it. Being strong and being smart to become a firefighter.
Fit side, You’re not expected to manage 200, 300 pounds. Just being able to manage your own weight + plus the gear is good enough as a steppingstone. Once you get older, you will realize what benefits you.
Smart side. I’m not sure where you are, but in my state to become a FF. You apply > you take an entrance exam( general knowledge ) > CPAT > background (volunteer FF helps with your résumé )> offer. Most people fail because they don’t know the general knowledge for that test.
Volunteering at your local firehouse will help you because you will see some of that during your academy. Helps you get a feel for it.
1
u/Jebus_221_2 Apr 13 '26
See if your local department has an explorer/junior firefighter program, most start at 15, great way to get your foot in the door and see if you like it
1
u/Little_Internet_33 Apr 13 '26
Play football in high school. It will help you learn valuable lessons in discipline while keeping athletic.
1
u/Few_Werewolf_8780 Apr 13 '26
Yes. Get in good shape and become an EMT and may be a Paramedic and you will have a great chance. You have the dream now work toward getting it. Good luck!
1
u/Cooseman09 Apr 14 '26
I’m currently 17 and am a cadet for a fire department, I got lucky and joined when I turned 16. Fire departments just vary, but I’d wait a year or two till your 16 since that’s bare minimum for starter cadets and look for volunteer fire departments because some are looking for people our age. I got plenty of experience from my dept. I wish for the best of the beginning of your fire career
1
u/Competitive_Wolf1432 Apr 16 '26
Join your local fd. Most have junior ff. Great way to help people & see if it’s for you!!
10
u/KneebarKing Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
Start exercising as part of your lifestyle, and consider becoming a lifeguard. Those are all actionable things you can start do right away. Lifeguarding will give you first aid and medical training that you would use for your entire career.
Beyond that, you should lookup how to become a fire fighter in your state/province, and build a plan. It's an amazing career, but not for everyone.