I have always been curious about it. What all is involved with it? What can and can't you do? How does it work? How do you become one?Well when do you "go on shift"? Or does it work like that? Do you tell them when you are available? So basically it is becoming a fire fighter without the job title?

Here is why i want it. I thought about becoming a fire fighter but do not want that to be my career. I enjoy the thought of being able to help somebody. I would want it for instance if you saw a wreck happen or a wreck with no responders then you would be able to assist and be knowledgeable about what you are doing. And i will be 18 August 3rd.

-Curtis-

 

It all depends on what state you are in, along with your area department. When I was a volly, we carried tone pagers and basically responded to the station each time the department was paged to a call. This means you responded to everything if you were available. This included the use of warning equipment on your personal vehicle and responding to the scene via fire department apparatus. Volly or paid a firefighter is a firefighter, the job requirements are the same. The tactics and procedures do not change.

The department I am currently on is a Full paid department. I work part-time to cover shifts which means I only make runs when I am on shift unless there is a full page requiring all off-shift firefighters to respond.

The easiest thing to do is visit your local department and see how they are ran. They will be able to provide all the details for you. Good Luck, we always need volunteers. Without them many areas would be left with no coverage at all.

EL

 

I've been thinking about this too. I'm only 16, but I have a question:

What if your at work or something and the beeper goes off? Just drop your (spatula for me) and haul a$$?

 

Depends on your company. I have never left work to respond, but have came in late because of a call. Some states of laws protecting volunteer FF's from their company if they come in late because of a call.

EL

 

I know we carry pagers in my department. We "average" roughly 1 call a day. We've had multiple back to back... but as a good year long average one call a day. We have i think 50 members in our department and of course not all 50 are going/can show up. Most people work day shift so they can't leave work or work out of town. We run everything from structure/vehicle fires to car wrecks to if our local ambulance service needs help lifting a heavy patient they will tone us out for that. Its addicting.... like they said before your best bet is to go to your local station and talk to the fire chief or one of the assistant chief's and they will tell you all about it.

 

Same here in Wa.

You carry a tone pager and respond when you can to the station. You can sign up to work shifts like BLS fast response vehicle, it pays $99 a shift here.

You also get full use of the fire house and benefits. They have a program where you become a resident and live there rent free and are required work a certain amount of shifts.

 

lakemarykid, you are making a very important decision in your life, one that if you follow through with will most likely never regret.

The fire service as a whole (volly or paid) is one of the most rewarding things in the world. It is a fraternal organization that once you are accepted into will truly understand what the word "brotherhood" means.

I came from an area that was mostly volunteer departments, and thats how I got my start. I am now living my dream of being a career firefighter/paramedic for a busy department. I truly love my job and couldnt imagine doing anything else.

Ok, now that all the awesome things have been mentioned, there is a downside, not trying to deter you, just being real about this.

You are a young man, I am sure you have alot of friends, maybe a g/f and prolly like to have a good time, you should, youre 18! The FD is going to demand alot from you. There will be mandatory training, certifications, testing and after all of that, more training and then more training. This is a job that needs to be taken with the utmost respect, without it, you will get injured or killed. The FD is going to take alot of your time. Depending on the department it may be months before you can even ride on a fire truck, dont expect them to hand you a helmet and coat and say "lets go!" If you have issues with seeing blood, injured people, being in tight spaces, being in the dark, working as a team, being a team player, taking orders, being respectful, etc... the fire service may not be for you. If you are accepted to the department you will go through a "probationary" period. during this time you will be picked on, pushed around, ordered around, basically a slave...LOL...but in the end, if you do what youre told, do it well, you will earn the respect of your fellow FF's, and if accepted into the "brotherhood" you will truly think of these folks as your family, and, eventually, you will get to mess with probies, so its all good!

What I have written here is just a VERY small part of what it is and takes to be a FF. I recommend you go to your local department and talk to the Chief and the guys there. Some have "ride-a-long" programs where you can hang at the station for a day and ride the trucks, without doing anything of course. Dont be afraid of asking questions. How many calls do you run a day, what services do your provide, what is expected of me to be a member here. Post back here and we'll be happy to help you out.

I joined when I was 18 and never regretted it!

Best of luck with your decision.

 

PGH medic summed it up. its very rewarding but it can take alot from you

 

In my city(coconut creek) we have police explorers and fire explorers. Those are basically programs for kids up to 18 to actually train and be with the police and fire department. The kids do ride a longs with the police and respond to calls. Also, with the FD they do real emergency calls and stuff. They get certified and everything when you do the fire explorers. Its pretty cool. Maybe check if your city has one of those programs to get you started.

 

That sounds cool ^^ I'd rather be with police than EMS.