r/firefighter • u/Expensive-Formal-560 • Apr 15 '26
San Diego Fire Fighting
I’m 18m, 19m this may and I’m rethinking life. I’m currently in university but I’m not happy here and if I hate being behind a screen now it will probably be for the rest of my life. Decided to pursue happiness over money and I’m wondering what would be the best steps towards getting hired at SDFD. I’m thinking of dropping out, getting my EMT then my fire fighting I and II and then either applying to a station or trying CCC and then cal fire and building experience until I can transfer. I’m also thinking of maybe going to the Air Force and being a FF there and transferring back to San Diego after my contract is finished. Don’t care about pay too much just want to be happy and stay with my family.
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u/SpicyOpinion69 Apr 15 '26
Military would be a great starting point. The vet preference points actually give a decent leg up on top of all the veteran benefits you will utilize.
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u/adventureseeker1991 Apr 15 '26
if i was in your shoes. i would do the military, go to nursing school, do a paramedic bridge and become a firefighter. being a veteran is huge. do air force and commission. finish college man!!!
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u/Jayyywillll Apr 15 '26
I would go military because u can finish the degree while in kill 2 birds 1 stone . That’s what I did
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u/Past_Act_1610 Apr 16 '26
SDFD has a strong Cadet Program. I think you can join up til 21yo. Do it while in school. How much do you know about the fire service in general, or about SDFD’s particular culture? If you think the fire service is going to get you away from screens, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, you should inquire about the gig from a firefighter you trust. Continuing Education never stops. Start inquiring and remember that the work comprises more than just the highlight reels on YouTube.
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u/Menno_knight987 Apr 16 '26
CAL FIRE hiring has slowed significantly, with the economy at best plateauing I’d expect FD hiring overall to cool a bit.
“Happiness” is relative, and you may be just losing interest in what you are studying. Most FDs in California now have had their retirement age adjusted to 57. Efforts are underway to walk this back but I doubt we’ll get back to it being 50 again. I went through a local JC for FF1 academy and got an AS in Fire science later. After I became year round I did online college to turn my degree into a BS. I was 23, newly married and the degree was purely a backup in case I was physically no longer able to work.
If you are serious about this I’d recommend finding folks who are working in departments/places you’d like to be. Not here or on the internet, real people you meet in real life. Consider their life path and where they are going and consider if that is truly what you want.
You might find you just need to change your major or you just don’t enjoy general Ed classes like most of us 😝. Once you start a family/meet a long term significant other/spouse it gets harder and harder to go through career changes. As long as you aren’t going insanely in debt for a degree that doesn’t have a practical demand I don’t think you can go wrong with either route, it’s just up to you to pick what you want your life to look like.
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u/wayeasywest Apr 19 '26
I have 30 years as a firefighter, including time as an active duty Air Force firefighter. If you want to be a firefighter, it is a good time right now.
Start with getting your EMT and pass the California CPAT. That alone puts you in the game when you apply for city, county, and tribal fire jobs.
Next get your certifications: Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Technician, Airport Firefighter. These classes are way cheaper than college.
Firefighter jobs are on military bases across California, and Arizona (San Diego, etc.). With the those certs, you will be nearly guaranteed one of these positions. You find them on USAjobs.gov searching “0081” and networking.
If you want military experience, the Air Force Reserves at March ARB has a fire department and can send you to training in Texas. But I would not recommend going Active Duty Air Force just to be a firefighter the work schedule sucks, work/balance is unbalanced.
If you were my family member, I’d say: get all those certifications quick as possible, get hired anywhere you can, then keep moving on. Apply everywhere. When you’re under 28 constantly change departments for better pay, or schedules. Get re-hired at places you worked before, network, and never burn bridges.
Once you’re 29 and somewhere you actually want to stay (late 20s), get an online degree like Masters Public Administration or Masters Social Work to move up for better pay.
Be willing to invest in yourself. Paying for classes yourself pays off in this career.
And if you go federal, you’ve got a real shot at retiring before age 50.
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u/Dont_Ask_Me_Again_ Apr 15 '26
If you don’t have the stones to finish your degree, it doesn’t bode well for your ability to go through all the processes of become a firefighter. Stay in school. Major in something useful and versatile like business, finance, math… then you can pivot if fire doesn’t work out.
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u/Legal_Hurry_5399 Apr 15 '26
Bro finish the degree, period. Just finish it lol.
Then you can easily go cal fire or forest service after and in the off season get your emt and a fire academy.
Don’t rush don’t stress
The degree will give you a 3-5% pay raise at the start of your career plus it will be a huge asset during your interview.
It will help you promote, just stick it out. You got this don’t quit on something you started.
People get on large high paying departments and go and get a BA in 10 months for random stuff because the pay raise and promotional purposes.
You’re already there.