Newbie intro + Seeking guidance

[fromtheashes]

Hi my name is Alex. I am 21 years old and I want to become a firefighter.
Im reading everything I can about the job and I love everything about it! The physical aspect, the pride, helping people, the respect for yourself and from others, the money, the schedule, the job descriptions and benefits, the brotherhood, really every thing about it.

A little more about me:

I feel that whatever if any physical challenge that Im not already capable of I am determined to train until I am more then capable of passing.
I have always been athletic playing sports and lifting/ all kinds of exercise. Im 6'2 215lbs. Bench press 315, run about a 6:20 mile, can do at least 12 pullups. I have been working the 9-5 life working in a bank. All, while going to school and the gym at night, and I can tell you an office job is not for me! I definately crave the physical aspect that being a fire fighter will bring along with all the other benifits.

I would appreciate any guidance on where to begin with getting started, the studying, the training, tips, and what type of degree to pursue. I will recieve an assosiates degree in may. But its totally unrelated to fire fighting...I wish I had decided on this career earlier but oh well, I am determined now. I am in Phoenix, so either ASU or any comm. college or online would be fine. I see that ASU offers a major in applied science (Fire Service Management) is that a good degree to get for becoming a FF. What are some of the degrees and the differences. I just wanna make sure I have all the ammo I can have to get this job. Any help would be great. Well I off to go read some more thank you.

Alex.

[ElectricHoser]

Virtually every question you have asked has already been answered on this forum before. Do some specific searches and you will find good information.

Different departments have different requirements and different preferences in training/background. The fire science degree is a very good place to start, and the people you meet and get to know there (staff and students alike) will be able to answer pretty much every question you might have about getting hired.

If you have a specific department you are interested in joining, you will have better luck discussing their requirements with them directly. People here are (usually) helpful, but the word on an Internet discussion forum is not to be taken as gospel. ;)

Good luck. It's worth it.

[polecat]

Welcome to the site dude. Get that ripped 215lb. physique of yours into one of the many approved fire acadamies for starters. You sound like an ideal candidate and at your youthful age, stand an excellent chance of finding a job, providing you stay out of trouble with the law. All the best.

[OlieCan]

Good luck man. Start testing as soon as possible, and see if there are any departments you can get one, part time, full time, or volley, and many times they pay for your schooling.

Get into an EMT class if you can, and then go for FF II

[BKDRAFT]

Look to become a Volunteer Firefighter to gain experience. Begin taking classes at your local community college for an Associates degree in Fire Science Technology. Get your Emergency Medical Technician certification and work on an ambulance for EMS experience. Test at every fire department that you meet the requirements for. Even the ones you wouldn't want to work for. This way you get comfortable with the testing process, it is like no other. Never give up and read everything fire related you can get your hands on. Stay on this site and read. Subscribe to fire engineering and read. READ, READ, READ. Don't get discouraged. There are thousands that want to do this job, many that sound just like you. The ones that get hired are those that don't give up.

[fromtheashes]

Thanks for the replys, this is helping me a lot. I live in the Phoenix/Scottsdale AZ area and Id love to work any where nearbye. I am told Phoenix fire is very prestigious and hard to get into, that would be great, but I think I may actually prefer Scottsdale, or Tempe.

Do any fire academies in my area stand out as particularly good ones. I will look into this further and take courses at either ASU or Scottsale community college. I wonder if it really makes a difference between which school I get the degree, and Im sure ASU is quite pricey.

As of now, I have a badly broken finger that I got playing australian football. Ive now given up playing because I cant afford to injure myself anymore. At least its not a knee or something, but it will be a while before I can curl my finger; so do you think it would be best to wait until it heals before volunteering or before trying to get in to an academy. Meanwhile its frustrating to not be able to do weights really.



http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g130/dimajna/xray1.jpg

[BKDRAFT]

Yes you need to wait untill your hand is fully healed. You don't want to come back to the job too early and have it injured again. Wait for it to be 100%. You'll need to be 100% if your going to be getting into an academy as well as any reputable volunteer/reserve firefighter program.

The college you receive your degree from won't matter much. As long as it is an accrediated institution obviousley.