How old where you when you started?

[rumlfire]

How old where you when you got your start in the fire service?

[ArmyTruckCompany]

I was 4 when I went to my first parade....Does that count? Officially, when I was 16 and became a junior member of my volunteer company in Montgomery County, Pa. (Still going strong 11 years later as an active volunteer in the same company and a career firefighter!!!)

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"Loyalty above all else, except honor."

[fieryred]

I was the ripe old age of 30 when I started with my department. I have only been on the job for 7 months now. I am one of those late bloomers I guess.

Cheers...

[Captain Gonzo]

I was 28 years old when I got appointed and have been on the job for 19 years now...damn, I've turned into a old timer!

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And on the eighth day...God created Firefighters!
Captain Gonzo

[Texasff62]

i joined the FD on the day of my 16th birthday, 12-07-97 and have been on the truck non stop, with the exception of college ever since. It is the best thing that I have ever done and wouldnt trade it for anything.

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Kevin Wiseman
Oklahoma State University School Of Fire Protection
Ponderosa FD, Houston Texas

[Adze]

Officially, I was 14. However, I was "born" into the fire department...My father was a member since before I was born.

[ffnbs]

I was also "born" into the fire service. I got my start when I was 19. I'd have to say this is a great job and couldn't see myself doing anything else.

[First-Due]

Let's see I was appointed Aux. at 16 in 1983 (No Longer Allow Anybody to get on unless they are 19) Call FF at 18, FAO at 19 and Career FF at 21. Oh how the time flys, itseems like only yesterday that I came on !!!!!!!!

[1627]

I was 15. Loving every minute since.



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Leon Bass
SWVFD Station 16

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Disclaimer:
These are my opinions and do not reflect the views of my department.

[Dalmatian90]

Joined at 16.

In fact, tomorrow is the 14th anniversary of me putting in the application.

Got suckered in early...first three calls I responded on where two structure fires and mutual aid Hurst tool call. Then I learned about all the other calls we go to

[spotthedalmation]

I was "born" into the service, I've been a member since just before my 16th Birthday, and the only thing keeping me from being more involved is college 800 miles away...

--Spot

[Neptune 33]

I too was born into the fire service, but I joined at 14 as a Junior member, my first call...a structure fire three days after I joined!

[FFCode3EMT]

I joined my combination department as a volunteer when I was 19. It's been 2 1/2 years now. I take advantage of every opportunity so that when (and IF) I do leave, I will have no regrets.

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**The preceding comments in no way represent the views of my department, its members, or associations that it may belong to.**

[LtStevieB82]

Outside of watching Emergency! as a kid and going to visit firehouses, I never thought I would get into the service when I was an adult, as opposed to most of my dept. colleagues who join in their late teens.

I guess I was 23 or 24 when I got into the NJ Forest Fire Service at the urging of a local section warden I knew. Moved out to the Phila. area a few years later, and began my volly career at 25/26. That was only 5+ years ago, but it seems like a lifetime.

[firebartman]

I was 4 when my dad started, but I didn't get on until I was 21. My dads been retired about 3 years now (he was about 24 when he started) and I've been on a little over 19 years (I'll probably stay another 10-give or take a few).