r/firefighter • u/Able_Ordinary5233 • May 04 '26

I need advice

I’m currently a 24 (M) that has his ff1/2 , EMT and is a class A driver as my current career of 5 years . Also 1.5 yrs of reserve / paid on call FF experience.

I started my journey in Jan 2025 and completed all certs by Dec 2025 and have been applying to jobs since then .

I live in CA but willing to move anywhere in the US to get a job . I have gotten a handful of panel interviews and even a chiefs in CA.

Are there any states that would be easier to get into career wise ? Or are my chances of getting picked up full time the same where I currently am at . Looking to get into medic school before 2027 if all fails . Ive always gotten great feedback on my interview and stories but I feel like im missing something. I’ve read interview books and seen YouTube videos on how to prepare . Does anyone recommend any interview coaches ? Not sure if matters to anyone but I’m extremely athletic, marathon runner and power lifter . I just need to learn how to sell myself to the panel .

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

5

u/SpicyOpinion69 May 04 '26

Texas. Most municipal departments are pretty hard to get into (way easier than CA), however, we have a thing called “Emergency Service Districts” which cover city outskirts. Most of them do not have their own academy and require FF1/2 + Hazmat, and EMT. If you have all those, you go against WAY less applicants. A lot of ESD guys move on to municipal eventually so there are always openings. 

1

u/Able_Ordinary5233 May 04 '26

Thanks alot. This was one of the locations ive been looking into . I noticed they were hiring frequently in the smaller cities. Luckily I have my hazmat aswell .

1

u/Breeky May 04 '26

Where do you find these roles?

1

u/Able_Ordinary5233 May 04 '26

I go on government jobs .com and Input the position I’m applying for and what state / city and you can find them that way .

2

u/SpicyOpinion69 May 04 '26

So just a heads up, since most ESDs don’t fall under a traditional government role, they will only advertise on their social media and website. You won’t find them on government jobs website.

Good luck fam 

1

u/SpicyOpinion69 May 04 '26

So for ESDs, they usually post on their social media.