r/Firefighting • u/iheartMGs FF/EMT/Hazmat Tech • Apr 21 '25

Ask A Firefighter Are you at your forever department?

EDIT: I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone! Pretty cool to hear all the different responses! Stay safe brothers/sisters and wish everyone the best of luck throughout your careers!

Title says it all. Curious how many members have found their forever depts and why you made it your home for the rest of your career. The culture at my department is simply amazing. The chiefs know every member by first name and your put into a leadership role pretty early on if you’ve earned the trust of the officers. They will send you to virtually any training, deploy you across the nation, etc. Let’s hear what you have.

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u/oldlaxer Apr 21 '25

I didn’t have a choice. After a few years, I tried to leave and move to another department. Every department around wanted me to repeat rookie school and start over. I was already a driver, HazMat Tech, and EMT-I. I was stuck so I gutted it out and retired after 30

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u/Ok_Buddy_9087 Edit to create your own flair Apr 22 '25

I know a kid who went through 3 different academies.

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u/oldlaxer Apr 22 '25

I worked with a guy like that. No way I was going to two, much less three

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u/Ok_Buddy_9087 Edit to create your own flair Apr 22 '25

Hard pass. He basically spent the first 3+ years of his career either repeating FF1/2 again, or on probation. Meanwhile the people he started with will be eligible to start taking promotional exams soon.