Comments on: So You Want My Job: Firefighter

By: J.Corey

J.Corey — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:43:56 +0000

I was a wildland firefighter for 7 years. Two were spent on an engine, and the last 5 were spent on a helicopter rappel crew, jumping from helicopters and sliding down to fires. With those I also did “detail” shifts with the Hotshots, Handcrews, and Smokejumpers. I have to say they were some of the best times of my life. I made great friends and have toured much of the Western United States; I’ve been to places that few have ever set foot, and seen some intense sights. It has become a more competitive field to get into, but the best advice i could give is to just get involved. Take classes at your local colleges, many now are offering fire sciences degrees. Having a EMT or other medical background is a huge bonus when applying. But the biggest thing to help you get into it would be by starting out on a handcrew (type 2) or Hotshot crew (type 1); they are usually the biggest crews in the region and look for new hires and for rookies to train. They are also some of the hardest working crews, and you will know immediately if you are cut out for this job, both physically and mentally. Once you get past your first season, the availability and training you received during your time on those crews, opens ups more fields withing the fire services. Many wildland firefighters will gain fire experience this way, and aide in their transitions to working for the city. Just keep at it, volunteer for work, and stay safe.

By: B.Frank

B.Frank — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:34:42 +0000

TreGunter. i am the opposite of you. i am an EMT-B and am fresh on my local vol. fire dept. i have fallen in love with EMS and am taking the fire fighter 240 this fall. and paramedic in the fall of 2011. i hope to begin a carreer as a Fire-Medic by 2013 with a fulltime fire department. the fire fighting doesn’t quite excite me as much as EMS though.

By: Dmitry Sataev

Dmitry Sataev — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:51:09 +0000

I want to become a firefighter!I came from Russia to America 2 years ago and i finaly learned enough English to go to the college and get my EMT certificate!And i heard from lot of diffrent people to become a firefighter-the best way to do it -it is become a paramedic-that’s what i’m going to do!The Firefighter it is a dream job for me!And i’m ready to do what ever it’s take’s to become a part of this service!

By: brenden

brenden — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:39:17 +0000

Hey , Im thinking of becoming a firefighter and i hope it’s as good as you guys say it is.

By: lisa

lisa — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:22:11 +0000

i.m 27 and was never lead to believe i could become something but now i know better and am interested in becoming a firefighter. excited you know. all these comment are good and helpful. i.m ashamed to say i never even graduated high school but i.m willing to do whatever it takes.