1) Research, research, research some more! - Understand exactly what’s involved, so you don’t have any surprises later. Like any new career choice you must be up-to-date with the process of how to effectively pursue it. It is vital that you research to the best of your ability everything you can such as what you’re up against as far as competition, odds, minimum qualifications, etc. as well as how fire departments operate, roles and responsibilities, involvements in the community and organizations, etc. I even went as far as visiting fire halls in my area and talked to current firefighters, I found this is a very effective way of determining what you have to do.
2) Determine the type of firefighter you want to be - It’s important to decide what type of firefighter you want to be before you have too much time invested. For example, structural, wildland, industrial, off-shore, etc.
3) Can I Achieve the Basic Minimum Qualifications? – If you can achieve the basic minimum qualifications, you’re off to the races. Early on in your research you will discover every fire department has a list in place stating the minimum qualification interested applicants must possess. Failure to meet these qualifications will stop you continuing in the recruitment process.
4) Can you commit 100% – Only the strong hearted make it in the end. Perseverance is sometimes all you need. Its one thing to say you want to be a firefighter and another to actually do it. Remember, fire departments only want the best and until you are the best you have lots of work to do. What I tell new recruits is to view the process of becoming a firefighter as a career in itself. That being said, understand there is a financial commitment involved as well, it’s up to you to figure out how much that commitment is. To put things in better perspective the financial commitment is no where near the emotional commitment required.
5) Time – If you’re serious about becoming a firefighter don’t be surprised if all of your spare time is consumed by the commitment. You will find it is like having a second full time job, where you have to work every weekend, nights, holidays, etc. I haven’t even mentioned the fact that you need to obtain post secondary fire education in some form or another, as well as certification in emergency medical or pre-hospital care example: paramedic certification or EMT certification. This is usually why it takes a couple of years or more pursuing this career to even get to the point where you can start considering applying to fire departments. Also, keep in mind fire departments like to draft from neighboring volunteer fire departments meaning you will have to be fortunate enough to serve there before considered for full time employment.
6) Testing - Fire departments use a series of tests to help ensure the quality of the recruits considered for employment. Since fire departments individually govern the stages of recruitment, understand testing can vary from fire department to fire department. Chances are you will have to complete a medical assessment, written aptitude test, and a physical aptitude test. These tend to be the staples in applicant testing, but be ready for anything because the fire service is constantly evolving and so is the applicant selection process.
7) Motivation – Motivation is key and the sooner you can muster up definitive answers for the question “Why you want to be a firefighter?” the better off you’ll be. The whole process of trying to become a firefighter can take a number of years in reality; sometimes candidates’ lose momentum and find themselves spinning their tires so to speak. It’s always the recruits that have a clear understanding of why they wanted to be a firefighter in the first place that make it.
8) Make friends – If you don’t know anyone in the fire service get out there and meet some firefighters. If you already know firefighters then make the effort to talk to them and find out as much information as you can about the fire service. Also, try to speak with the most recent hired firefighters and find out what qualifications they have?, what they did to get hired?, any advice they may have, and so on.
9) Locate related resources – There are books on the market such as The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter that prepare you for what you can expect. Once you learn the process to becoming a firefighter then you can construct a plan to achieve it. Get informed as soon as possible, the more books you have the better. If you buy a book and learn one thing in it, you are better off. So don’t limit yourself from reaching your full potential. The internet is also a great place to get informed. You must capitalize on these resources because chances are those you are competing against will.
10) Do you believe in yourself – This is the most important ingredient of all. Your success will ride on the fact you can see yourself making the finish line.