I want to become a firefighter... what are the requirements?

[BigToque]

I've often thought about joining the fire department as a career, but they were usually just passing thoughts.

Today while at work, it came to me that I do infact want to joint the FD as a career.

What are some of the requirements that are usually expected so I can get myself in shape and prepared for this?

Are there any fire fighters on the forums?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

call your local FD and ask the requirements. There is usually a physical and written test.

 

[AdamSnow]

Be prepared for extreme physical tests... written tests, as well as you must have a certain license and life saving courses...

Have to be a certain age, weight, height, etc. and you will probably need higher then a high school education.

 

[acemcmac]

those hoses are heavy as sin. I had to help put out a 5 alarm brushfire about 200 yards from my parent's property line in the summer of 01 and just carrying those hoses uncharged up a hill was killer.... thinking of the 9/11 firefighters with the charged hoses running up the starewells makes acemcmac go :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

 

[Blazin Trav]

I would check with your local FD.

Also see if you need any special medical degrees, etc.

 

[DVad3r]

Here in Canada you need to first pass a written test. It's all theory and pretty much tests your awareness of the field, questions are not simple either. You have to pay 50 bucks and there's a hundred or so people writing it. Only like 1-2 get selected out of those. After that there surely are physical tests etc. Clean criminal record is a must also.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Be prepared for extreme physical tests... written tests, as well as you must have a certain license and life saving courses...

Have to be a certain age, weight, height, etc. and you will probably need higher then a high school education.

I don't know about the > HS education, but everything else you said is absolutely true.

 

[Drakkon]

to be a firefighter here in AZ its a 2 week course...between life saving and basic rescue techniques it gets you possibly on a team to do remedial work (not saving lives necessarily, mostly mopping up scenes). There is no educational, weight, age limits set. So long as you can preform in the gear its all good.

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Here in Canada you need to first pass a written test. It's all theory and pretty much tests your awareness of the field, questions are not simple either. You have to pay 50 bucks and there's a hundred or so people writing it. Only like 1-2 get selected out of those. After that there surely are physical tests etc. Clean criminal record is a must also.

++ You have to volunteer for ever before you can get a job.

 

[Syrch]

my personal trainer is a fire fighter and she informs me its different per county....call and asked.

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: OffTopic

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Here in Canada you need to first pass a written test. It's all theory and pretty much tests your awareness of the field, questions are not simple either. You have to pay 50 bucks and there's a hundred or so people writing it. Only like 1-2 get selected out of those. After that there surely are physical tests etc. Clean criminal record is a must also.

++ You have to volunteer for ever before you can get a job.

Ya, you probally have to join a Volunteer firefighter squad/department first. Thats what my cousin had to do.