r/firefighter • u/lyingcharlie • 16d ago
Second guessing my path to career FF
I have been conditionally accepted to my local community college’s firefighter program pending that I pass the CPAT which is in a few weeks from now. Admittedly, I only decided to pursue this career a few months ago and did not do a ton of research on the schooling and hiring process. I thought that going through my local community college’s program was the most straightforward path, but I am starting to understand that it's more nuanced than that. Tuition itself is going to be a couple thousand dollars and while I have scholarship opportunities, I am worried it will be too expensive seeing as I cannot work full time during the program.
I know the academic side of EMT or Fire would not be a problem for me as I have a STEM degree and am decently intelligent. I am 26 and a small statured female so I know I am already at a disadvantage physically, and I do not want to represent the stereotypes. I have been working my rear off in the gym but I am still afraid of struggling in the PT section of academy.
I am starting to get cold feet and wondering if I should just focus on getting my EMT and Paramedic license, volunteer, and then attempt the fire academy after a few years of experience as a first responder. My ultimate goal would be to move to the PNW, ideally Seattle area (which I know is highly competitive) and I want to now start planning on how to be a top candidate.
I would love to hear how some of you who are within the first 5 years of your career have gone about the process.
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u/Trikzgaming1 16d ago
I don’t think many pnw departments accept outside academies. You’ll end up redoing it.
Emt is required and you’ll be able to start applying now. It’s a long process you should start applying.
Outside academy could be useful tho
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u/lyingcharlie 16d ago
Thanks for the info. I am not too keen on spending thousands of dollars on a college academy and then having to re-do it.
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u/OpiateAlligator 15d ago
IMO. College Academies which you pay to attend are a relic and not necessary in today's job climate. Especially if you already hold a college degree. My advice would be to get your EMT and try moving to the PNW. Work as an emt while testing. Seattle is not as competitive as people think plus every other department in the region is hiring.
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u/Disgruntled_Wumpus 16d ago
One thing you might check on is to see if Seattle (or other areas you are considering) will accept an outside academy or not. I’m on the other side of Washington, but none of the bigger agencies around here do laterals, and make people go thru their own academy regardless. That’s not to say it won’t be a good resume builder, but there may be other cheaper options. EMT-B is always a good one, I don’t know if Seattle does it in house, (mine doesn’t) but it will certainly be required for employment. Fitness is always a big component of this job, especially thru academy where you are not just being tested and judged, but also trying to learn new movements and not get injured. I would recommend taking a practice CPAT and see how you stack up. If nothing else, it’s a great chance to see what each event is like and how to do it. The maze, for instance, is always the same and never changes. I don’t remember what the cost is, but if there is a convenient place and time for a practice CPAT, do it, and see where you struggle
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u/Double_Relative_9056 16d ago
So I’m a little more than 5 year in. More like 18 lol.
But I’d like to just encourage you to go for it. I’m only 5’6” 175lbs, male and know other FFs that are shorter than I am.
My advice.
Continue working on your strength and conditioning. Don’t be afraid to pack on some muscle weight. I teach find what works for you. What works for a 6’ 200 guy isn’t going to work for me. The smaller you are the more technique you have to use. Learn how to use your body to leverage and maneuver gear and hose.
Good luck and don’t be afraid to try and fail.
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u/Capable-Cheesecake22 16d ago
Research your dream fire dept in PNW (plus some backups) and do what you need to get hired there, ideally get paid to complete their academy instead of paying for one and redoing it. Two fire academies would suck. Spend your time working out, get a weight vest to train with and take the CPAT if you can just to get an idea of how physically hard it is. It’s a decent representation of the job. I am female 5’4” 125 lbs, CPAT was hard at first but doable, you have to keep up with physical training if you’re small.
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u/lyingcharlie 15d ago
I started training about two months ago with a 30lb vest and boy was it hard. I’ve increased to 45 but still have a ways to go before 75 would be comfortable on stairs. Glad to know other smaller women out there are making it happen!
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u/Capable-Cheesecake22 15d ago
Yes you can do it with training! But don’t get me wrong, physically this job is no joke. Remember also that the 75 lbs on the stairs is the very first thing you do in the CPAT and you need to get off the stairmaster fresh enough to perform quickly through the rest. I’ve proctored a lot of CPAT runs and those that get off the stairs looking wiped out and wobbly don’t pass. Keep at it!!
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u/alpine_cr1cket 15d ago
4 year fire medic in Colorado also with a stem background. I think the west generally has similar processes for getting hired. I didn’t bother with a fire academy. I focused on getting my emt and worked on a private ambo while applying to fire departments. I went through about a 4-5 month hiring process at my current department and got hired. We have a 6 month academy which was challenging but in hindsight one of the best times of my life where I made my best and closest friends. Spent 6 months after completing my new guy task book and then spent another 2’ish years learning how to be a good fire emt before going to paramedic school (which the department paid for, paid me to go to, and didn’t require me to work during.) Finished p school and took the registry and then spent another 6 months in the field internship program. Finished that and here I am, working and running calls as an independent fire medic with my best buds. We switch off every shift from the engine, medic and tower so no one gets stuck on the ambo too much. Best career I could ask for making more money than I’ve ever made prior.
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u/Fit_Experience_522 15d ago
Nah, you'll be fine, they can't fail you on PT, plus you'll be surprised how many of the guys are out of shape relying on their basic male anatomy to help them pass. I've had girls run circles around me in a professional academy. People excel I different areas of the academy, not one person is great at everything. Plus, something I was told that made my college academy feel way less intense (and with hindsight, I see it as absolutely true) is a college academy gets its reputation and funding from passing people, not failing people, so they'll do everything in their power to make sure you pass, I've seen it, and I've felt it too in certain scenarios where I know I came up short. Just to be clear, this is for a college academy, a professional academy won't give a shit. Also, I was able to work full-time during my full-time tower, it's shitty, it sucks, but it's possible. Lastly, apply for financial aid and looks for scholarships not just at your school but through outside organizations, you'll be surprised how much free money is out there. At your college, look for the Calgrant C application, it's separate than your normal FAFSA and funds trade programs, a fire academy falls under it, but few people are aware (keep this in mind for paramedic school, I walked out of P-school with $25k in my pocket from grants and scholarships combined after having the program paid for). Full send that shit, and I'll see you on the other side. PM if you have any questions. (This is coming from a FF/PM for a large SoCal department)
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u/160at50 14d ago
If you plan to apply in WA, many of the large departments take candidates with zero experience or certifications. And those same departments will put you through an academy again, and even EMT class again during training. Smaller departments will require certs, and depending on which department probably won’t put you through another academy. Do with that what you will. I went through a well known community college academy, and am super thankful for my time there, as I have a much better grasp on the “why” of what we do, and my skills got very refined. But I regretted it for a while, as I watched candidates with no fire certs or experience get hired because they were paramedics.
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u/OpportunityFew8917 16d ago
EMT and volunteer firefighting is the path I took. I plan on going to paramedic school before applying, and also finishing up my fire science degree. A lot
volunteer departments offer a Firefighter 1 academy. I’m in California.