Anyone a firefighter?

[Ajlepisto]

Just curious if anyone here is a firefighter.

How you got started, what you had to do, etc. My buddy and I were going to do that for a few years after school, his dad's in a local batt. and knows the ropes I guess.

Anyway, for stories.

[SlvrGTi1.8T]

Not a firefighter yet...going to school to get my paramedic license but take a look in this post it has some really good information...i think that it covers most of the ?'s you might have, if not just through them up.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1558522
-jason



Modified by SlvrGTi1.8T at 3:56 PM 10-7-2004

[BeachBumJettaBoy]

Ive been a Firefigher for 5 years, and i love my career. You get involved and it becomes more than a job. Its alot of hard training but the pay check it all worth it. Just if you do start, become a professional. Dont act like most volunteers and act like it will get you laid because IT WONT. Its a great job, take pride in it. As far as starting out its just like any other job. Fill out a application and get hired

[Ajlepisto]

Quote, originally posted by BeachBumJettaBoy »

Ive been a Firefigher for 5 years, and i love my career. You get involved and it becomes more than a job. Its alot of hard training but the pay check it all worth it. Just if you do start, become a professional. Dont act like most volunteers and act like it will get you laid because IT WONT. Its a great job, take pride in it. As far as starting out its just like any other job. Fill out a application and get hired

Honestly I dindt even think of using it to get me laid.

Im just not real clear on how to start. Do I have to go to the schools first, or can I just go apply and start?

[stickshift]

A lot of municipalities have testing regimens that they use to evaluate potential fire fighters. A friend of mine got his start as a volunteer, did that for a couple of years while working a full-time high tech manufacturing job, and then started applying for full-time fire fighting jobs and eventually got a position with the Cambridge, Ontario fire department.
I think the most important thing that you need to worry about is your fitness. I believethat if you pass the physical testing, you'll be trained in everything else you'll need to know.

[BeachBumJettaBoy]

What he said is a good view on the matter. You will most likely have to take a physical test but it wont be anything u cant do. Just go and apply at the local city hall or county org. and they should get u started. And i was just kiddin about the getting laid part.

[BeachBumJettaBoy]

Also now that i think about it. Alot of your BIGGER departments who hold a Class 1 ISO will make you take a CPAC test. Its a physical test meant to push the human body to a pretty exhasted state. But dont worry man u can do it just put your mind to it. But again getting started is a easy task, just go by a station and introduce yourself and tell them what your wanting to do and they will help you 100% if not there not much of a firefighter

[stickshift]

Quote, originally posted by BeachBumJettaBoy »

Also now that i think about it. Alot of your BIGGER departments who hold a Class 1 ISO will make you take a CPAC test. Its a physical test meant to push the human body to a pretty exhasted state. But dont worry man u can do it just put your mind to it.

Do you mean CPAT - Candidate Physical Ability Test? I've written a couple of articles about that for the fire fighters union mag I edit and it does look like a b****.

[BeachBumJettaBoy]

Yes you are correct, CPAT is the name for it, i had a few drinks at the point i wrote that. The first 3 mins of the test is hard being you have to use a stepmaster for 3 mins with 70 ibls straped to you and you cant fall off. other than that it is pretty simple. AND YOU SHOULD ALL GO SEE LADDER 49. i give it 5 stars. much better and realistic than Backdraft

[KeatGLX]

Woah dude this threads mad old lol.
But on a side note, im a volunteer firefighter and extra ambulance crew member

[autobarn]

Definitely an old thread, but wondering how the original poster is doing. I recently got my emt basic and now looking at paramedic school and an academy. Jason you still testing in Chicago suburbs?