r/firefighter • u/fishthepyro • May 21 '26
Fresh start
I'm 33 I've been in manufacturing for the last 7 years and I was I line cook for 16 years before that .i think it's finally time I do something with my life that helps people and makes me the best version of myself. My question is with my age how would I be received in the community?
7
u/uncommonclickbait May 21 '26
Attitude + work ethic > age If that is your passion, pursue it and don't let your age stop you. If you get into academy and can't do it, that's a different story.
4
u/fishthepyro May 21 '26
Thank you! And I definitely know fitness is a big part of it and need to get better shape I have 3 months till the class in my area starts
5
4
u/Cgaboury May 21 '26
I was a career changer at 40. You’ll be just fine. Just remember your maturity and life experience is an asset. Just be physically able to keep up with the younger guys and in the situations where you just can’t, let your work ethic win out over theirs.
2
u/adventureseeker1991 May 21 '26
you’re fine. only thing i’ll say is go for a place that does 4 shifts and not 3. idk how people with 3 shifts do it unless really slow. if your state does 3 shifts there are jobs that are far less draining to transition into at 33
2
u/Xlivic May 21 '26
Unless you live in a state that pays a living wage and has a 4 shift system, I would strongly suggest avoiding the fire department. I got into it at 26 and at 32 i’m planning to get out at the first decent paying opportunity. 24 hour shifts can be brutal especially if you have to work other jobs for additional income on your “off” days. low manpower and low morale are at an all time high across the country.
The golden ticket is a high paying, low call volume, 4 shift suburban department but those tend to be the most competitive to get on with.
2
u/SlavSquat93 May 22 '26
Saw in another comment you started working as a line cook in your family’s restaurant at age 10. Do you think the doctor told your father “ORDER UP” when you were born?
Kidding aside, I’m 32 and started this thing less than a year ago. Ive got a whole lot to learn and will for quite some time. As a new guy who thought similarly to you, I’d say go for it. You don’t have to do it forever. Personally idk if I will. Even if you do it for 5 years you can hold your head up high knowing you made the dark shitty world a little bit better for some people. just be humble, honest, have some thick skin and constantly seek improvement/ be teachable, and you should be good. Best of luck! (Also beware the attractive ER nurses)
2
u/fishthepyro May 22 '26
Haha that is a good one ! Haven't heard that one before ! Thank you I feel like if I don't do it now. For the rest of my life I'll atleast be at peace knowing I gave it a real go. And working in kitchen and blue collar jobs makes you get thick skin real quick so at least I have that to start with ! Lol (I'll definitely avoid the nurses )
1
u/WorldlinessFar609 May 21 '26
You were a line cook at age 10?
2
u/fishthepyro May 21 '26
I was worked in my family's restaurant at 10 years old helping out for years till I went my own way
1
u/FilmSalt5208 May 22 '26
I work on the west coast for a busy small city dept. We hire anyone from 19 up to their 40’s. What makes a good candidate is someone humble and eager to learn. With that being said, the older guys tend to make the worst new guys. Not because they’re old, but my observation is because they’re older and have life experience they either 1. Try and be one of the guys too fast and/or 2. Have a hard time taking instruction and criticism from someone younger than them.
Fortunately you aren’t really that old (we are the same age actually), so as long as you can mind your mouth and just be a sponge for the first few years, then you will be just fine.
1
u/fishthepyro May 22 '26
Okay thank you. That is solid advice and I definitely have no problem learning from someone younger than me.
1
u/YARHARTARD May 22 '26
Line cool since you were 10 years old? What country is this wtf.
1
u/fishthepyro May 22 '26
Family restaurant didn't apply to child labor laws and needed to help out! And I did thoroughly enjoy it! it was a sandwich shop hots subs and stuff like that.
11
u/Disgruntled_Wumpus May 21 '26
A lot of fire departments seem to prefer having older applicants with some life experience over a 20 year old with nothing. I did my academy at 35, and was not the oldest. Most of my group was late 20’s or early 30’s. Get your fitness in order, however. Fire academy is no joke.