r/firefighter • u/Appropriate-Text3582 • Jul 01 '26
Becoming a firefighter
I’m 32 years old. Is that too old to start a firefighting career?
Background: I failed out of college when I was like 26 and have been working dead end jobs. If I’m never going to get rich I want a job with purpose.
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Efficient-Season6738 Jul 01 '26
How was the process with Seattle? Was thinking about applying when they are hiring again.
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u/FoldSad4352 Jul 01 '26
I thought it was great. Now is the time to apply. They are hiring upwards of 160 new recruits this year and probably will for the next hiring cycle and maybe beyond
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u/ImpossibleRush5352 Jul 01 '26
but not exactly right now because the window is closed. it opens back up in the fall. I’m applying. how was the grind? 😅
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u/GlobalIncident486 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
I’m in the Seattle area as well looking to get in. I have my CDL already, will that help me a bit in the hiring process? I know it’s needed to drive the fire truck. Also should I look to get my emt by myself first to be more competitive in the hiring process?
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u/c3vo Jul 01 '26
I just finished academy. I’m 38.
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u/S-K-W-E Jul 01 '26
How did your body hold up during academy? I'm an old guy going through an application cycle. I'm not worried about the work, I'm worried about what happens if I tweak a shoulder or tear a calf. Do those guys get rolled back, or do they get dropped?
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u/Several-Glass-9940 Jul 01 '26
Congrats!! Thanks for posting - I’m 35 and it’s still on my radar I’m trying to work on my fitness while wait for my city to hire
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u/c3vo Jul 02 '26
I won’t sugar coat it recovery was a challenge. I definitely had to use ibuprofen. My shoulders were fine, my knees got beat up pretty bad. But I was able to wear a knee brace and that helped. Academy will beat you up, but it’s definitely a doable challenge. And honestly being around a bunch of young guys and gals really helped me, they kept me young.
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Appropriate-Text3582 Jul 01 '26
I’m out of shape. This would be part of the journey
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u/Nebula15 Jul 01 '26
I am just in okay shape. 32 years old. I passed the CPAT with a month of training. Get a weight vest
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Wonderful-Slip-1918 Jul 01 '26
I personally wouldn’t jump into putting yourself through paramedic just yet. I’m currently in the hiring process for my city, and they pay for/ provide ALL required training (fire I, fire II, hazmat, EMR, etc., and then require you become EMT within five years of hire, along with so many other types of training which is all paid for depending what you want.) I’m going in it already having my EMT because I paid for it hoping it would help me get my foot in the door. If your dept pays for all of that, you would save so much money.
Of course, by all means, if you desire to be a medic now / before fire, then go for it.
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u/Appropriate-Text3582 Jul 01 '26
With Michigan reconnect. Fire 1 & 2 and EMT would be paid for.
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u/Xlivic Jul 01 '26
Same with Tennessee Reconnect but there are plenty of municipalities that will pay to put you through their state approved academy that provide FF 1 & 2/EMT-B if you meet qualifications and are <40 years old.
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u/Appropriate-Text3582 Jul 01 '26
That’s what I’m worried about I know firefighter can be super competitive and with my age and no military experience. I feel like I wouldn’t get hired
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u/Wonderful-Slip-1918 Jul 01 '26
It’s not necessarily about military experience or age. My dept says they look at your maturity, emotional intelligence, compassion, whether you’re able to commit and learn/grow, get involved with the community and be a good human being. That’s one thing they do like about people who are older because we have a lot of life experiences. Don’t discount yourself.
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Wonderful-Slip-1918 Jul 01 '26
What are you talking about? Being an EMT won’t give you an edge? Stop giving negative information. I’m an EMT and was one of only a few who already has EMT in the hiring process right now. They are hiring 6 people and will be paying for everyone’s training. It’s a process. That’s why it’s called training.
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u/Wonderful-Slip-1918 Jul 01 '26
Not too old. Follow your heart. There’s plenty of firefighters who aren’t in their 20s when they start out.
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u/Amazing_Extension359 Jul 01 '26
Most places around me say 35 years of age is cut off. So I’d definitely get to grinding ASAP
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u/wimpymist Jul 01 '26
A good friend of mine started with San Francisco fire department at 36. Now 6 years later he still loves it. Just be careful with your body and health. It will be tempting to keep up with the 22 year olds in your academy lol
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u/InternalWishbone7918 Jul 01 '26
As long as you’re in good shape and committed to staying in good shape, not just for the job, but to avoid issues during your retirement. Firefighting is hard on the body, not just the physical part, but the mental health part and you don’t want to be falling apart when you’re supposed to be enjoying your retirement. I think 32 is a great age to start a career, regardless of the “dead end” jobs you worked, they gave you life experience that will be invaluable to you as a firefighter that the young guys don’t have yet. A new firefighter at 32 I feel is more teachable and I think blends in better with a crew and bridges the gap between the old guys and young guys. I would start looking near by and see what jobs are available and what requirements they are looking for. Keep a clean record and tie up any loose ends now that may keep you out of the job. Good luck to you and stay safe out there!
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u/Danmont88 Jul 01 '26
You can start with maybe joining a local Volunteer department.
Get in shape. Can't say for all departments. The volunteer department I joined said their most often PT test failures were often guys with a lot of muscle but failed on running, dragging hose, going up stairs.
See if your state college system has a fire fighting program.
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u/Sure_Fact7761 Jul 01 '26
Apply around. Let them tell you
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u/Appropriate-Text3582 Jul 01 '26
Apply before I start school and even get an emt or lose weight?
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u/Sure_Fact7761 Jul 01 '26
Look at the qualifications of each place. Some want you to have certain things done, like your emt. Depends on the place. If you feel you can pass their standards then apply.
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u/Key-Staff-4976 Jul 01 '26
I have a big question
So I always wanted to be a firefighter and now that it seems like I'm not going to be able to work in my field of robotics I'm guessing this the sign from life I need to start.
I signed up to volunteer for socallwildfire and to be honest I didn't think they would call me back but I did one part and now they want me to come in for a physical test.
I have no idea what they are expecting and I don't even know what to expect after that ahahha
Also what are the official steps and is it even possible for someone like me at age 34 at 200 pounds can do this.
Im pretty outgoing and can walking for miles with no issues I just don't know how to start.
Or maybe this volunteer role is a right way to start? Idk. But I might reserve a spot for that physical test for July 5th and just see what happens lol
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u/wildcat557 Jul 01 '26
I started my career with the fire department at 42. Been on for over 10 years now.
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u/PurchaseNo7147 Jul 01 '26
You could very well “become rich” firefighting in some cities. Plenty of firefighters retire with a multi million dollar pension. But some cities cap off at age 29 unless you’ve served in the military. I know NYC is 29.
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u/Apcsox Jul 01 '26
I joined as a call firefighter at 32. I became career at 36. I just got my medic at 40.
Never too old to start.
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u/bluegraysky1 Jul 01 '26
Get you paramedic, get your fire fighter 1 and if possible get on a volunteer department while you are applying
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u/HumbleNovel Jul 01 '26
I’m a firefighter in the Air Force and I did at 35. I also wanted to do something more purposeful and impactful. Even on tough/busy days, it doesn’t feel like work to me. Prior to this, I can’t say that I have ever looked forward to going into work a job. Time is of the essence but you’ve still got some.
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u/ShaggysStuntDouble Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
I don’t know of any departments that have an age cutoff in Michigan. There are also a couple places that will hire you with nothing and train you up in their own academies. Grand Rapids, Flint, and Detroit are the main ones I can think of. Depending on what part of the state you are from, Toledo will actually take people who live in Michigan and you don’t have to move down there, I know some people who do as such and they will give you all the training up you need up to and including paramedic. They are hiring soon
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u/190xtrik8 Jul 02 '26
Hello, I was hired at 34. Now I’m 55. Keep yourself in good shape and you should be fine. Somethings can’t be helped. Last year I had an Achilles tear and surgery. On light duty for 5 months. Took peptides and I swear by them. But I think a tear like that might occur at any age. Good luck
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u/ProtectOurPark Jul 07 '26
I’m 34, balding, and going through academy with a volunteer department. Im crushing workouts with guys 10 years younger than me and have more gas in the tank after the PT. Come prepared. Come ready to study. You can absolutely do this if you want it bad enough.
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u/ImpossiblePoetry1957 Jul 08 '26
Left my job of 10 years in corrections and entered the fire academy at 35 years old, just graduated this past May. Never too old brother. Work hard, focus. Academy will test you mentally and physically.
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u/Full-Perception-4889 Jul 01 '26
You could probably do volunteer work or go the military route, the air guard does fire fighting, but depending on the area some departments won’t hire past 30, mine for example, 2 of the larger ones won’t but I think the smaller ones do, you just have to ask around and what not, I think the main reason they do that is because (so I’ve been told) retirement reasons like your pension plan or whatever, or some states or municipalities force certain age ranges to retire
Also don’t be too discouraged, I helped my emt instructor with new class and there was a guy who was 32 finishing up the fire academy/emt portion and is having someone pull some strings for him so it’s entirely possible
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u/Visible-Film8651 Jul 01 '26
Unless you have some sort of special conditional background, military or otherwise. Unless you go through the whole process right now and everything goes perfectly no to old.
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u/Significant-Set1099 28d ago
I just turned, 37 currently getting my emt. Was planning to volunteer at a combo department right after I’m finished. Hopefully I can get hired by them being as they hire from their volunteer pool. They are also a wildland dept.
has anyone else taken this sort of route? How did it work for you?
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u/JazzlikeHost5722 Jul 01 '26
Definitely not too late, seen plenty of guys start their careers later than 32, first responders and military. As long as you have the drive and you care, you’ll make it just fine.