Any firefighters or volunteers here?

tplyons · #1 06-14-2009, 10:42 PM

I've wanted to be a firefighter since I was a little kid, and now that I'm out of college, and moved back home, I guess now would be a good time to do so. I've always loved helping people, and typically go out of my way to do so. Can anyone go much farther out of their way than a firefighter? That, and the big, shiny toys don't hurt so much.

My town's fire department is about 40% career firefighters and 60% volunteer.

As I'm considering volunteering, I'm wondering how the schedule of volunteering affects people/family life. What is involved in the training? And is it generally at cost to you, or does the department typically fund the training?

Being that volunteers are required to respond to 60% of calls after work hours, I feel that this is certainly doable. Or am I completely off in this?

bongomania · #2 06-14-2009, 11:10 PM

I did time in juvie for arson, does that count?

tplyons · #3 06-14-2009, 11:20 PM

No, no, no, I mean the guys who put the fires OUT

Milky · #4 06-15-2009, 09:00 AM

I've been a volunteer for about 5 or 6 years now. I started while I was still getting my undergrad degree and being in college certainly made scheduling classes and such easier. I don't know how it is where you are, but down here most training is paid for by the department.

We are required to complete A certified Firefighter level 1 class (again, I only speak for my experience here in MS) which involves a trip to the state fire academy for the final exam which involves live fire training. We are also required to take a Fire apparatus driving class and a medical response class. Where I live it is strictly volunteer but we have a few guys on our department that also are firefighters for the city and those have to be EMTs. The volunteers just have to take the Emergency Medical Response class, which is less intensive than EMT. Personally I have also taken a lot of other classes that were offered by the fire department.

Volunteering does take up a lot of time. Most of our calls are not fire-related or even car accidents any more. Most calls are medical of some sort - usually unresponsive people or difficulty breathing it seems. Volunteering means being ready to jump out of bed at 2:30 in the morning any morning, no matter what is going on. It takes some work to get used to, but after the first few calls I could be up immediately and fall right back asleep as soon as I got home. It's tough after you work a long day and just want to crack a beer and eat dinner and you get called to a grass fire (I hate these) and you go stomping off through the woods to put it out.

If you are really interested, definitely call your local department and get involved. Down here we never have enough volunteers. If you are willing to work and put in the time, I guarantee some of the veterans will be willing to help you out with whatever you need.

If you have anymore questions or if I didn't answer something, just let me know.

taquitos43 · #5 06-15-2009, 09:57 AM

I'm a career firefighter. I never did volunteer. Around here, it seems the costs to volunteers depends on where you go. Some departments pay for a large part of it, some require you to have all certifications to be able to apply. Personally, I think that's a lot of money and time to invest to be able to apply for a volunteer job. However, some people really enjoy it. Also, if you plan on trying to be a career firefighter, volunteering is a great way to get experience. It's becoming such a competitive market that any little step up from the competition helps. If you have any questions feel free to shoot me a PM also.

JNowiski · #6 06-15-2009, 03:20 PM

i was a volunteer for a few years before i joined the military. got my level 1 and 2 certs paid for by the department. if i got back on i could go through emt training for free...but i could do that now through the army too and i'd get to miss work. idk, its a good backup i think, i'd have to study up again on alot of the stuff, but i figure if things get terrible when i get out of the military i can go overseas as a contract firefighter, they make bank.

jrthebassguy · #7 06-15-2009, 10:23 PM

My brother is a career firefighter and loves it.

Check out what your city offers in terms of graduate incentives - in some cities, having a degree makes you eligible for a pretty decent salary as a career firefighter. For example, my brother (in the Houston Fire Department) eventually plans on getting a degree for a higher base salary.

MadMan118 · #8 06-16-2009, 02:23 PM

I volunteered for CDF (California department of fire) For most of my College career.

taquitos43 · #9 06-16-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrthebassguy

My brother is a career firefighter and loves it.

Check out what your city offers in terms of graduate incentives - in some cities, having a degree makes you eligible for a pretty decent salary as a career firefighter. For example, my brother (in the Houston Fire Department) eventually plans on getting a degree for a higher base salary.

Our department doesn't give an incentive for a degree but does require an Associate's Degree to become an officer. But, they do have tuition assistance for those who choose to pursue their degree.

popinfresh · #10 06-17-2009, 10:14 PM

My plan is to become a career firefighter. My dad is, and my sister works in the office for the brigade. I don't know about here, but in Aus it's great pay, shift work, heaps of holidays, great super, lots of perks and a pretty solid job. It's not like firefighters get cut when the economy drops.