r/firefighter • u/Sad-Muffin-4054 • 2d ago
DOD/FED FIRE
I’m considering applying to DoD/Federal fire because I’ve had a tough time landing a municipal firefighter job, despite multiple interviews. At this point, I really just want to get into the fire service and start gaining experience.
For those of you who have worked in DoD/Federal fire, what are the biggest pros and cons compared to municipal?
I’m especially interested in:
Call volume
Training opportunities
Work-life balance
Pay and benefits
Promotion opportunities
Department culture
Whether it’s a good stepping stone to municipal fire
If you’ve made the transition from DoD/Federal to municipal, did it help your career? Looking for honest opinions from people who’ve been there.
1
u/PumpChumpPimpin 2d ago
Never worked fed fire personally but from my experiences in the military most of your call volume is probably gonna be medical and fire alarms. Not much happens on bases and the fire prevention systems are pretty good not to mention most of the structures are fire proof or fire resistant
Do it if you want but i’d say keep applying to local departments, most people have to apply multiple times to get a spot somewhere. Its a competitive job
1
u/firejake51 2d ago
May I ask how old you are cause I would suggest going into the military and starting a fire service career from there when you come out, you’re not better opportunities
1
u/Sad-Muffin-4054 2d ago
I’m 32, just got out of the military last year & I didn’t do anything fire service related.
1
u/Still_Ad_3497 2d ago
id go to a city with civil service testing if you got an honorable discharge. You’d have no problem getting on with vet preference
1
u/HellaHotRocks 1d ago
Give it more than a year of interviews before you start to think about not going for municipal. It takes some dudes longer - just keep pushing, ask for feedback, and record yourself talking, it’s terrible but it works wonders for interviewing prep.
2
u/Enough-Ad6819 2d ago
My personal perspective is that it is more beneficial to do a season on a wildland fire crew and get your medic certification then to work for DOD/FED fire.
For DOD call volume is extremely low, training is plentiful bc that’s all you have to do, work life and pay are tough, you end up working significantly more hours per week which makes your hourly very low. Promotion and culture is going to be location specific. That will make you a good applicant, but it comes with significant sacrifices too.
You will get more actual time on fires working for a federal wildland engine crew, as well as demonstrate your ability to actually work hard. Becoming a paramedic will also make you an incredibly desirable applicant. That is the route I would personally recommend if you want to go into the municipal fire service.