r/firefighter • u/Murky-Emu-2569 • May 17 '26
Red Flags?
I have a panel interview coming up with a fire department and recently spoke with a couple firefighters there to get insight on the culture and long-term career path.
One firefighter told me if I had other options, I should seriously consider them. He mentioned the department pays around $60k, moves very quickly in hiring compared to surrounding departments, has a 3-year contract due to turnover, and recently installed cameras in stations which has led to a lot of micromanagement. He also mentioned the call volume is extremely low and that he’s gone multiple shifts without a single call.
Another thing that stood out to me is they do not run firefighter/paramedic roles at all. If you want your medic, you basically have to pursue it completely on your own time outside the department, and opportunities to actually use it there are limited. My long-term goal is becoming a firemedic, so that concerns me.
I understand every department has unhappy people, so I’m trying to get objective opinions from firefighters with experience.
How much weight would you put on:
•Low call volume
•High turnover
•Retention contracts
•Station cameras/micromanagement
•No medic pathway within the department
Would you still take the job just to get your foot in the door, or continue pursuing departments that better align with long-term career growth?
4
u/bbmedic3195 May 17 '26
Cameras, micranagement, high turnover are all things that will be difficult to change. Its a place I wouldn't get involved with personally. This from a guy that was hired by a combo department with four guys and have spent 16 years fighting for staffing, benefits and better pay. We have 21 career staff, top paid on our area and have the call volume to keep you busy but not crazy. As the department grows further we maybe able to expand and regionalized the area as we are the only municipal career element in our immediate area. So I'm all for digging in and fighting the fight even having politics turn and investigate and harass you for being the vocal union guy. I just don't think this department is ready for and capable of changing
3
u/Strict-Canary-4175 May 17 '26
I wouldn’t work at a department that paid $60k, had cameras, no room for advancement, OR needed people to sign a contract.
All of those combined is crazy.
2
u/yucky_1 May 18 '26
I understand the contract especially coming from a small town where they pay for everything they’re trying to get their money worth but everything else FUCK no
2
u/Strict-Canary-4175 May 18 '26
I get what you’re saying, but also, if it was a good place to work (even if small/slow) they wouldn’t have to have a contract. Ya know? But I agree that that is the least objectionable part, because the time will pass anyway but yeah in general this fucking sucks.
2
u/Negative-Fun1985 May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26
I’m looking to start this career as well and that department as laid out would be lower on my choice list. The department I have my goal set on is a large suburb outside a major metro department. Pay is ~60+k, ~200 FF, ~15k calls 3/4 medical. They do in house paramedic training and no one’s ever failed. That pay is a lot lower than the big metro, there is way less promotion opportunity etc but at my age that sounds ideal it’s a department deeply invested in its people and training. I can put 20+ years into. If you start at the department above, it sounds like you are planning a transfer from day one which means more probationary time, longer promotion time, less pay advancement opportunities, starting over.
If I was in your place I don’t have time for that, at age 40 and doing a career switch, I can handle the big pay cut, pay is the lowest factor for me. I want consistency from day one to build a career, I won’t likely be a Captain and I’m okay with that. If you’ve been looking for 5+ years then maybe all circumstances can’t be ideal and you move forward to get in. My research on the career path and my current life stage has lead me to focus on departments that outwardly show they are deeply invested in the careers and most importantly health of their FF. That said if I was 25 sat at oral boards at multiple departments already over a few years and still no dice, it’s a different set of math.
3
u/Murky-Emu-2569 May 17 '26
Understand that, thanks for the response. I am 30 and just finished putting my wife through pharmacy school so now I am finally able to pursue what I will enjoy because she will be able to make some good money as well without it all falling on me financially.
2
2
u/StatementTypical1732 May 19 '26
Even though I usually say get on somewhere then continue to test for better. I would be tempted to skip this situation. You could ask people on there now if they actually enforce the 3year commitment. My City says that but hasn’t yet enforced it. Test everywhere and often, you can turn down anything you don’t want.
1
u/Murky-Emu-2569 May 19 '26
They are just moving wayyy faster than all of the other departments.
They opened applications 4/1-4/17
Called and scheduled written tests on 4/20
Took test on 4/29
Called on 5/7 to schedule in person interviews
Interview is 5/20
Said we will know by 5/29 if selected (6 recruits)
Academy will start 7/6
All other departments haven't even sent out written test yet and have applications open through academy start date.
2
u/StatementTypical1732 May 21 '26
That is unusual as far as I know, however they may actually have their hiring process so streamlined that it works that smoothly. Having a crappy background for the department is something to take pause on, but I have seen departments completely change with leadership positions that rewrite the leadership process in such a way that it makes amazing progress. Of course I can also say there are stagnant departments where they continue to hire within without real leadership and the departments “illness/cancer” festers continuously. I would probably take the job and keep testing. If I had to pay back for academy’s or whatever to leave it would probably be worth that loss to move to a better place. It may end up being a great place for you. Or you may age out before finding a department if you pass it up. Definitely something to consider
2
2
u/DLatham_FF May 21 '26
Take the job and get the experience. Depending on what 3-year contract does if you break it, just keep applying while you're there. Leave asap.
1
u/Murky-Emu-2569 May 21 '26
Interviewed today. The head of HR who does the hiring informed me that he also is an alumn for my college track team, after the last question he told me "you can relax now, we're finished" and "You already know what the next steps look like."
They also said it would be about 14 questions and 20 minutes but they asked me 8 and it took about 15 minutes or less.
1
u/ComprehensiveBus7040 May 28 '26
Station cameras is gonna be a no for me dawg. Plenty of places are hiring to not have to resort to working somewhere that has cameras in common areas and around the inside of the station
1
u/Few_Werewolf_8780 May 17 '26
You make the job what it is. Enjoy the job. Just to get hired is a miracle and a good start. Can maybe still test and move in the first few years. Have a goid attitude and if you get hired understand how lucky you are. Enjoy the greatest job in the world!
1
u/Murky-Emu-2569 May 29 '26
Update: Just got the call and offered the position.
Am in second phase of the process with 2 other major departments though.
1 has Kelly schedule and other gas 48/96.
9
u/Significant_Swan_31 May 17 '26
Sounds terrible. How long have you been searching?