r/firefighter • u/DeepBackShots • 6d ago
Firefighting career with DUI
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?
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u/ReporterWonderful136 4d ago
What state are you in? I am a firefighter and when I’ve been on panels or assisted, we want guys like you. Guys who have made decisions, dealt with consequences and changed their lives. It shows discipline and character. Our job is tough, sweaty and usually long hours involved. We want the guy who know what’s it means to be motivated, stay disciplined and work hard. No offense to anyone on here but the choir boy fresh out of high school/fire standards isn’t necessarily my top choice. You have life experience along with work experience. Idk what your education experience is like too but factor all that stuff in. Don’t worry you will 100% get a job and become a FF. Keep up the positivity
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u/DeepBackShots 4d ago
I’m in Texas. I actually just got a job today working for the city. Do you think this is a good look? I’m trying to build as much relative experience right now, also applied to become a volunteer ff for my city.
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u/SoCalFyreMedic 2d ago
Sounds like you’re doing things right. Departments don’t want perfect robots. They want guys and gals who have life experiences, made some mistakes and grown from them. Plus, getting in with ANY city department helps when ya wanna go fire.
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u/DeepBackShots 4d ago
Majority of my experience is working as a lineman, went to school back in 2019 and have sacrificed so much. It’s a very difficult job, it’s just a culture that doesn’t fit my current lifestyle now, hence why I’m pursuing a different career now. So hard work ain’t a stranger to me lol, thanks for the motivation brother. I appreciate everything you said
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u/Fantastic-Major-9075 5d ago
In NC you could definitely still get a job furrsure You would just have to spin how you've grown from it in the interview
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u/Rumpeltrillzkin 6d ago
Rule of thumb is usually 10 years…
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u/Time_Effort 6d ago
Does this apply if the criminal aspect is “dismissed”, IE it’s still technically on my driving record (and I would be charged with a 2nd DUI if I got another one) but it isn’t in NCIC
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u/Rumpeltrillzkin 6d ago
I honestly don’t know. The 10- year thing is more of a show of character, rather than a technical legality. Like there’s no hard rule “you must be clean from dui ten years to get hired”. It’s just for them to judge your character, after-all you’re going to be going in people’s homes and given the responsibility of people’s lives in your hands, especially your crew. They gotta know they’re safe around you.
As for what’s actually on your record or what will pop up on a live scan, you’d have to talk to your local law enforcement.
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u/Time_Effort 6d ago
That’s fair. I know mine doesn’t show as a misdemeanor as I got my CCW recently (which any misdemeanor within the last 4 years would disqualify me from) so as for the technical side I’m good :) Appreciate the response!
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u/adventureseeker1991 6d ago
in my state it’s 3-5 years and know a bunch of guys who got on with DUIs. you’ll have lots of explaining to do
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u/DeepBackShots 5d ago
Thanks for some optimism, are those guys at smaller departments? I’m just trying to get an idea where I’ll have a better chance of becoming employed
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u/SoCalFyreMedic 2d ago
It also depends on what state. Larger agencies are gonna be a bit more lenient
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u/Rumpeltrillzkin 6d ago
If you were 18 at the time, have you tried getting it lessened to a wet and reckless?
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u/DeepBackShots 6d ago
this is interesting, because I’ve never considered it. Being 18 and underaged, I was pretty much told that it’s “no tolerance age” but it’s definitely something I could look into. appreciate it
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u/Rumpeltrillzkin 6d ago
Yeah, I understand dude. We were all young and dumb at some point, honestly, just luck of the draw if you got caught or not. Don’t let it ruin your ambition though. I’d def look into getting it reduced to wet and reckless and possibly off your record. (If it’s not on paper, it didn’t happen) if that doesn’t work, you could even spin it into your interview somehow about how you learned from it and changed your lifestyle , etc and relate it to the fire service somehow.
I’m gonna keep it a buck though bro, deuces are usually a no-go for most departments, especially under the 10-year mark. Even after 10, it’s iffy for sure. Yeah dudes have them while on the job, but they keep their jobs cause they’ve been on and passed probation etc. New hires is a whole different ball-game.
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u/danger_close7 5d ago
A “wet reckless” refers getting it pled down to Neg Driving 1st / reckless driving prior to sentencing so it doesn’t appear on your record as a DUI. That’s not a thing in every state and you can’t do that post-conviction, which would be your case. You could possibly look into options to have the record sealed? But you’d still want to be honest if asked because that still shows up on certain checks.
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u/DeepBackShots 5d ago
this is mostly what I understand about it as well, far as I know really my option would be to have my record expunged. I know that I definitely qualify for that because there was no accident, I had a low BAC, and I’ve never had any prior records nor post record after the DUI. But either way it comes up and I still have to be prepared to talk about the incident, as I have in my past jobs. Thanks for the comment, anything and everything people have added to this thread has been tremendous help
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u/TheShovler44 5d ago
Talk to a lawyer about expungement. My buddy just got a a felony weapons charge dropped from when he was 18.
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u/Sufficient-Hall-8942 6d ago
No matter what anyone says you have a chance. There are departments that take a hardline stance. My experience is most are willing to look at how you have grown after your mistake and give you that chance. 2 firefighters I work with have received DUIs and still have jobs. Depending on area and state look to see what departments are requiring for their apps and talk to a full time dept near you. Those guys will be more than willing to talk through the process. Right now it’s Emt-b then Emt-p and basic operations firefighter. Some departments will send you for one or more certs.
Some advice don’t chase certs find what you need for testing and get it done there are age limits to full time.
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u/DeepBackShots 6d ago
If you don’t mind me asking, what state are you located? I’m just wondering if some states have a little more leniency than others?
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u/Sufficient-Hall-8942 6d ago
Illinois, every state is similar. I would say it’s more of a department choice about who they let in with what background.
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u/tvsjr 6d ago
The answer will vary based on the department. Highly competitive departments (Plano, The Colony, Denton, etc) will likely be more stringent than departments that don't attract hundreds and hundreds for every test. You may find that volunteer departments who are starting to go part paid or ESD departments might be more flexible.
Texas still has a strong volunteer culture depending on where you are. You could consider starting there to build experience as well as get training.
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u/SobbinHood 6d ago
Dude these other people are all hating and dumb. I have a public intox and an assault charge on my record in 2020 and 2021 respectively. In 2024 I got hired as a career firefighter and in January 2025 I got licensed as an emt both nationally and in my state. Be honest. You are allowed to not be perfect. What you have done since to show you have changed is what will be the biggest determining factor.
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u/DeepBackShots 5d ago
thanks man. everything I’ve seen and read seems to have mixed opinions on this topic. Do you think I would have a better chance at finding employment at a smaller department for a few years, then maybe trying to find a better one with some years of experience under my belt?
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u/SobbinHood 5d ago
In all honesty, your background isn’t perfect, but it’s not terrible either. I would apply like crazy everywhere and take whatever offer you get first and get some experience to apply towards a different department. But who knows, maybe the smaller department you get hired at first exceeds expectations and you stay for a whole career.
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u/Standish_man89 5d ago
I doubt it will hold you back much. There are plenty of FFs with DUIs. A dumb mistake at 18 is a lot different than a habitual problem as a 35 year old. If you interview well, get some experience, and keep after it, you’ll land at a career dept sooner than you think
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u/Vprbite 5d ago
You wont be the first and won't be the last. Is it helpful? Of course not. But, again, not the first or last.
Smaller departments can be more lenient. And it could be an option to do that for a couple of years and then lateral to a bigger department or one that you really wanted.
I will say also helps to have something to show for your time besides "Im older now." Like maybe that you continue to give time to Anti drunk driving education or groups like SADD or whatever. Just to show that you really did learn from it and grow from it.And that is sure as shit not gonna happen again
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u/AlanTFields 5d ago
DUI alum here. If its more than 7 years old it shouldn't affect employment eligibility in the Feds. Might come up on a background check just be honest and willing to answer questions about it.
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u/tfritz153 5d ago
IMHO, I think you have a chance. Yes DUIs are not great on your record but that was also 8 years ago when you were 18. Any reasonable person would look at what you have done since then.
With that, where you might get hemmed up is your local governments policy. Say they have a stipulation you can’t have a DUI in 10 years, that’s a hard one to fight.
You should consider expungement. I thought it was going to be a massive headache but really all I did was go to the local court house and apply for the application and waited, I want to say it was about 90 days. Mine was for alcohol intox in public and was a citation versus a criminal offense. However, if you’re super committed it should be something easy a lawyer can do.
Best of luck and keep up the strong work
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u/OpinionElectrical 5d ago
Not the same situation as you! But there is a guy from my local fire department (volunteer) who ran over someone riding a bike on the side of the road while off duty. He still has his position. It boggles my mind.
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u/chisleym 5d ago
You certainly have a chance. I know several FFs who made this same “mistake” when they were young and were hired by large municipal departments, > 5 yrs later. What you’ve done since to turn your life around demonstrates the person that you are today and that will be highly considered. Don’t bother with “expungement” as others have suggested. It will cost you money that you don’t need to spend. Background investigations require you disclose not only convictions, but also arrests. Failure to do so will eliminate you from consideration 100% and is easily discoverable.
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u/Significant_Link2302 6d ago
Your first challenge will be getting your EMS credential with your state. In California for example, you may not be issued your card or if you are you will be put on probation.
Talk to your local fire departments recruiting divisions to see if your background will pose an issue.
If you can get your EMT and the departments are okay with hiring you then you have a chance.
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u/OpiateAlligator 5d ago
You might have a harder then average time getting hired but your situation isn't a deal breaker. Rule of thumb is to get the DUI AFTER you get hired.