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How To Become A Firefighter In Light Of The US Economic Situation. (For Bryan)
Bryan commented on a recent blog post:
“Thanks for the article Paul. It was a great read and I definitely agree that “the quickest road to success is one that leads straight to the ultimate goal.” I think step one, once you meet all of the requirements, is to practice written tests. I can’t tell you how many guys I know that have been trying to become firefighters for years and cannot even get past the written test process. I think it is when you get passed the written test is when those additional things, such as a degree, will help you out. I have heard a lot of firefighters say that everyone they interview looks the same(minus EMT-P’s), they’re an EMT, they have their FF1 and are a reserve FF. Would you say that the minimum requirements of Fire departments are not enough to get you hired nowadays? Even if that individual is an excellent test taker?”
I think it speaks very well to an important consideration for candidates today.
We know this:
We’re in the midst of an economic crisis that is nearly unprecedented in our country. Municipalities are cutting services, people are getting laid off, and jobs are scarce. Some fire departments are being gutted while some (not as many as i’d like, but the number is significant) are looking to add personnel.
We also know this:
With the pool of job seekers growing exponentially and including laid off emergency professionals…Competition is going to get tougher. No two ways about it…
But…
We also know that in times of strife, there is a greater need for emergency professionals. Growth will be tempered, but over the long haul (perhaps the next 10 years), there will likely be a lot of growth in our field.
And its likely that…
The next few years will include the SMALLEST PORTION of that growth until our country gets back above the water line.
But don’t forget…
People will be hired. Some of those people will only meet the minimum requirements of the testing process. These people will get hired because of two things:
- They had some sort of unfair advantage. They’ll be hired because they knew all the right people, someone was a powerful family member, they had a religious or social connection with a decision-maker, etc. I’m going to go on the notion that this isn’t you. I’m also going to state emphatically that “YES, IT HAPPENS.” And “NO, its not an excuse to quit.” It’s life…It’s not fair…And the universe could care less. Sorry, but true.
- They were such masters at the testing process that they we’re given the badge in spite of the fact that people had more “qualifications”. They excelled on every portion of the test, and when it came time to perform at their oral boards, they hit a home run under pressure.
So…
You MIGHT get the badge WITHOUT things like volunteer time, EMT-P, vast experience , or a college degree, but you absolutely WILL NOT get it unless you’ve got an “unfair advantage” or are an incredibly good test taker.
The important take away is that you will absolutely need all of the education and experience you can get over time to be a professional firefighter, but you’ll be best served by immediately getting the minimum requirements out of the way, mastering the testing process through diligent practice, and then taking every test you can possibly take while holding down a job that supports you and your family and continuing your education.
If you do this, you’ll either get pleasantly surprised and get picked up before you’ve put yourself through college, academies or spent years as a volunteer while working in the EMS field to pay the bills and gain valuable experience…or…You’ll be the most prepared candidate in the field with excellent qualifications when our country turns the corner and starts adding firefighting professionals in earnest. Either way…You’ve put yourself in the best position for success at every turn.
I can’t wait to hear about you getting picked up…In my humble opinion, the world needs more firefighters.
Go for it.
Paul
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