I grew up with fire and law enforcement and moved recently. I want to drop something off as a random act of kindness (and partly because it makes me feel more at home, in an odd way), but I’m on a budget….

Other than donuts, is there anything that would make you smile if someone brought it to your station?

Hey I’m applying to a big city department. I scored pretty well (top 30% in everything else, with video section the really high) on all part of my NTN except mechanical (better than 30%) . Will being a former Army Ranger , bilingual in Spanish, currently a nurse (LPN) & about to have my EMT certification (dept doesn’t require for applying). I am older but in extremely good shape at 38 years old. Any advice will help?

Also, would becoming a paramedic help show you into a FD ?

Hi, I am a prospective firefighter who plans to take an EMT program and firefighter academy.

While I see a lot of folks saying having an EMT license is crucial to get hired as an entry FF, some people say taking FF academy is not as crucial or even negative as some FDs prefer "blank", "trainable" applicants over already trained ones from FF academy.

Is this a myth or legitimate advice? If it is true, then what is the purpose of the existence of FF academies out there that costs a few thousands bucks?

Thanks in advance

Does anyone have experience with these applications (publicsafetyanswers.com)? Do you have a chance to rehearse your video recorded responses? Why kinds of questions do they ask?

Alright I’m a 15 year old female and when the time comes I would love to be a firefighter. I don’t want to waste the time I have now just envisioning it I want to work out, study, learn the ropes. It’s always been my dream to help people (no joke from 3-13 I wanted to be a doctor and from 14-15 I have been undecided wether or not to keep that or become a firefighter until about three months ago)

Here’s some things about me. I’m 5’2 I can pick up a grown man weighing 200 pounds (I don’t workout but I do have the discipline to because I know it’s not enough) I’m an empathetic person but it doesn’t get in the way during serious situations.

I do have hearing loss but it’s not severe. I wear a hearing aid (not often cause it broke) but it isn’t necessary and I can hear people just fine.

I’ve always had a way with children animals special needs kids and any people that are “different” but I can be firm and strict.

I follow orders relatively easy but I don’t take disrespect. Which I know I will receive so I need to understand how to just get over it. Last man (about 40 years old) that was disrespectful to me almost lost his job and he picked fights with me regularly. I didn’t take the disrespect and argued back on many occasions. No it wasn’t an over reaction the police even hated this man for me. I don’t know how to just roll over and take people being disrespectful towards me my beliefs and my family. I’m fine with banter.

What are things to avoid mentioning?? Do they turn people away with mental health issues? I have struggled for approximately 7 years with my mental health but I’m much better and haven’t been a danger to myself or anyone else in over a year.

What are not safe conversation topics?? Politics are already off the table because I’m well informed and people don’t like that where I’m from. But like other than that??

What are good workout routines??

Should I get a degree?? I’m for sure smart enough for it I just don’t want to mess it up and choose the wrong one.

What’s the minimum I need to be able to lift??

Which problems with physical and mental are worth disqualification ?

I need to train and get ahead but I will also have a back up trust. I know I could search everything up (and I have) but honestly I’d rather get hands on explanations that arent promoting things to me that I don’t need. I don’t plan on having kids any time soon nor will I honestly have life outside of working for the first few years cause I already have a partner and if thing don’t work out I’m not finding a new person until after I’m stable at work.

Sorry if this is unintelligible I tried to make it sound intelligent without sounding uptight but quite frankly my grammar is shit.

What are some good Go To Questions for a candidate to ask at the end of an interview?

Man, this has been very discouraging, applying for one department after another only to later find that testing dates are days I cannot get out of work. Anyone else running into this? I am applying everywhere I can, but it makes me think I'll never land an offer

Hey guys, question for anyone who has an answer. Long story short I have a little one and no longer anyone to watch him over night while on my 48. My ex works nights and wont commit to my rotating schedule so that means some times when I have him I will be away on shift and need someone to stay with him for 48hrs. Is there anyone in a similar position? And what do you do? Are there babysitting services that do something like this? No family in my state to watch him so that options out unfortunately. Open to ideas.

Posting my results here for additional data points for folks interested.

I am not sure if these results are good enough for most departments or not but I took the test to get a feel for it should I need to improve in the next six months.

I was quite disappointed by my math result as I thought I did quite well but am unsure if my math was flawed or what really happened there. Likewise for mechanical I thought I did better but I knew of two or so questions I was on the fence about. I found the HR portion easy if you have worked in customer service before or are a volunteer firefighter.

I took the two extended practices tests offered by NTN and felt they did help quite a lot in preparing for the test.

If you were a recruiter would you pass over me due to the math score?

Hello all, Can I please ask regarding Personal History Statements and drinking and driving. Will it be frowned upon to share that I consumed 1 beer over the course of an evening and drove after attending a concert recently?

Thank you

I took the fireteam test recently and did not perform as well as I had expected I would.

The practice tests mentioned that there would be a second section in the humans relations portion of the test that would ask you about the characters you see in the video scenarios, and apparently I should have taken that more seriously, but I didn’t see anything about in my research.

Does anyone have any advice for that second section?

Hey all,

I’m 29 and finally making a career change. My background is a mix of bartending, wholesale operations, logistics with USPS — a little bit of everything. I’m stoked to be pursuing the fire service path now.

I’m currently finishing up EMT (should be wrapped up by October) and need to knock out the CPAT and FireTEAM soon so I’m ready to apply by mid-November for Portland Fire & Rescue, though I’m also open to other departments in the area. I know it’s competitive and can take time, so I’m also looking at doing a few wildland seasons. I’ve already completed S-130, S-190, L-180, and FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700, 800. I’d also love to add more workshops/certs like MHFA or trauma-informed care as I go.

For those who’ve been through it: * Any advice on how to best prep for the CPAT? * What should I know about the FireTEAM test? * Any general advice for someone working toward PF&R or just getting started in the fire service?

Appreciate any insight — trying to set myself up right. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’ve seen a few related posts on this topic, but I wanted to talk about my own situation. I’m currently 26, and back in 2017 when I was 18 years old, I made a terrible mistake and got a DUI. I was fresh out of high school, just a basic dumb teenager. But since then, I would like to say I’ve made nothing but good decisions. I’ve learned from that mistake, and have never gotten in any trouble since, not even a parking ticket.

Since this occurred almost 9 years ago, and my record otherwise is completely clean. I have always had a great job with reputable large electrical utility companies, how would this affect my chances of employment? I have had a class A CDL since 2019, I’m going to be getting my EMT-B & FF1, FF2, as well as other qualifications like my wildland S130/190. Currently possess over a dozen other certifications (probably not very relevant) but a few are from OSHA. All the others are from being in electrical line work.

I know my record may hold me at a disadvantage, but I’m willing to give myself as much qualifications for this line of work as possible to maybe help me in the interviewing/selection process. I don’t know maybe I’m just full of shit, but what would y’all think my chances are or what are some things I can do?

Copies of my resume? Notebook and pen? Anything?

Hello everyone,

In my early 20s, I completed my EMT-B and FF1 certifications in Colorado, and I was on the path to becoming a firefighter. However, in a moment of impulsiveness, I decided to leave that behind and move to Southern California for a job opportunity. Since then, I have found a fantastic position in the marine industry with a great company. Despite this, firefighting has always lingered in the back of my mind.

Recently, I’ve been contemplating a return to firefighting. I understand that Southern California is highly competitive, and I'm weighing whether the time, money, and investment required are worth it for a career I admire. Now at 29, I’m open to going back to school and dedicating myself to the process, but life is different than it was in my early 20s; I have bills to pay and need to maintain my current job while pursuing training.

I noticed that Orange County has openings next February, and I'd like to pass the written test and complete EMT school beforehand. I've heard that some people take nearly five years to secure a paid position, and I would appreciate an honest perspective on the challenges ahead. Should I continue to embrace my current job and leave firefighting behind, or is it worth pursuing my passion once more? Should have completed this in the begging when bills and cost of living wasn’t as crazy.

Thank you for your insights!

You know that classic story… someone goes to a conference, comes back all fired up about "the next big system" and suddenly the crews are the ones wrestling with it.

Sometimes it actually helps... Other times it’s just more clicks and more headaches.

Who in your department usually makes those calls? Chiefs? Admin? City hall? and when it lands on your desk like what’s the part that makes you roll your eyes the most?

Thoughts on these? It was my 2nd go, I've got experience as a 911 EMT, Wildland FF with the Forest Service, and Ski Patrol as well.

Have you seen this? Raw chicken goes on the grill with a pair of tongs… then the same tongs get used to pull it off and serve it.

That’s textbook cross-contamination. In a restaurant, it’d be a health code violation. In the firehouse? Totally normal, I've done it myself.

Same thing with leftovers. Big pot of chili straight into the fridge, no cooling, still warm. That’s a bacteria factory, but I’ve never seen anyone question it.

We’d never accept this kind of shortcut on the fireground. Why do we shrug it off in the kitchen?

Do you think there should be some basic food safety training, or is that overkill? Have you ever seen (or been part of) a meal that made people sick?

I have an interview for a firefighter recruitment where they put you through and pay for fire academy. The email says business casual but the quotations are throwing me off and ChatGPT says it could be a trick and to wear a full suit but I already bought a button up shirt, dress shoes and some slacks. What would be some advice you guys have as to what to wear based on what the email says?

I work at a small full time department covering approximately 60 square miles and was just tasked with placing an order for new fire hose. I’m not sure where to begin and what to research. We use Fire Chief low pressure nozzles and plan on sticking with that. All attack lines are 200’ triple loads.

We use 1 3/4” and 2” for attack lines (200’ each) and 3” (500’) and 5” (1000’) for supply.

Our hose racks are starting to get bare, so I’ll order enough to outfit two fire engines (enough for each station to outfit one engine) minus ordering the 2000’ of 5” and 1000’ of 3”.

I think in the past we have used Key and Mercedes. And have a combination of the 2.

We’re looking for durability, maneuverability, and something that loads/lays nicely in the hose bed

Just looking for opinions and any help pointing me in the right direction. Thanks!