r/firefighter • u/NefariousnessFuzzy56 • 6d ago
Question For SoCal firefighters
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!
1
u/House_Reno21 6d ago
Hey man, shoot me a DM if you’d like. In SoCal as well working as a FF and have a bunch of buddies working for OCFA. Happy to give pointers how I can
8
u/flashpointfd 6d ago
Here's what I think..
Life experience is just as important as fire experience. Someone that has experienced setbacks, been kicked in the teeth a few times, worked with difficult people, had to take on responsibilities and obligations - When I sat on the interview panels, these are the guys that had me leaning in more than the guy that was playing Nintendo on his mom's couch eating Cheetos after his shift on the ambulance moving the nice old folks from point A to point B. Being an academy grad and EMT does not mean you are owed a job, or does it guarantee that you will be successful in it.
Don't get me wrong here, there is value in being and EMT; IMO - there's more value in attending the University of Hard Knocks.
So here's the real deal.. Orange County runs their own academy so being an academy graduate isn't necessarily needed.
But here is how it works. They will take all of the candidates, and look at education, EMT, Paramedic, Academy Grad, and when the scores from the written, & interview are tallied, the tie breaker will go to the spreadsheet with the above mentioned items. The scores are VERY competitive, often just a point or 2 separating the go/no go guys.
So the real answer to your question is this: "can it be done in less than 5 years?" - Yes. Is it realistic - without being a medic; probably not.
So, here's the path -
1) EMT
2) Start taking fire classes - If your in OC look at Santa Ana College.
3) Start doing some community service things - Habitat for Humanity is a great one (Learn building construction and give back to the community; This is gold in the interview)
4) Start looking at what prereq classes you might need to get into Medic School - Saddleback College is the one in OC.
5) Look into Toastmasters - They usually meet weekly and it's a great way to get confidence with public speaking, especially the impromptu stuff (what you will see in the interviews).
Bottom line: 29 is not too late. The real question is whether you’re willing to grind through the next few years with purpose.
If you were to do these things, you could probably get through it in 3 years and be very competitive in the process. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the test anyway. You absolutely should, and maybe you can be the unicorn. I just want to be honest with you on what your expectations should be.
That's my 2 cents...
Feel free to message me, I do know a thing or 2 about the OC testing process.
Good Luck!