Ask a Firefighter anything

490 Questions

Last Answer on June 29, 2022

Explain how motivating factors of modern fire research impact fire science.

Asked by Paula over 11 years ago

Volunteer with a Dept. but make yourself more valuable by getting your EMT Certification since that is where the majority of our work comes from. It takes longer to teach a person to perform EMS than firefighting. So that gives you a heads up against others. I don't know how your feel about the military but they do have firefighters that you can enlist for.

986 Votes

I'm 18, female & was planning to volunteer after hs. I was going to do it as a full time job, but i heard that the written tests are every 4 years & the recent one will be this year, but im not physically ready. i was just wondering how i can apply?

Asked by Rose about 10 years ago

Join a volunteer Dept and get yourself ready. Down South we don't have civil service exams. When the vacancy occurs we advertize the position for applicants.

985 Votes

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

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How has American dependence on synthetic materials changed the way those employed in fire protection fields do their jobs?

Asked by greeneyes over 11 years ago

Burns faster increases collapse time in structures is the simpliest way to answer that one.

985 Votes

What medical level do you think firefighters should have to be certified at (if any)? (Basic CPR, certified first responder, EMT, or paramedic). Is a well-trained EMT/FF better than a so-so p-medic/FF who is only certified in order to get the FF job

Asked by 123 over 10 years ago

As the saying goes Paramedics save lives, EMT save paramedics. I have seen lousy paramedics over the years that is for sure. But either level is part of an team. So that can go either way. My personal opinion is that a FF should be a minimum of EMT since the majority of calls these days are medical.

983 Votes

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Do become a firefighter do you have to past the aerial ladder test? What if they you don't? Could a person still be a firefighter even though there afraid of heights? Do you have any advice.

Asked by Alex about 10 years ago

Generally if a dept does not have an aerial they dont do that but you still need to climb extension ladders. So you have two options work on your fear since extension ladders come with the job or change choices, but you usually cant have it both ways. Sorry being honest.

983 Votes

I am buying a home that had an attic fire 20 years ago. What can I do to reduce the smoke smell in the attic? Also, what can I do to reduce possible carcinogens in that space (we have no need of going up there otherwise as it is not a storage area).

Asked by Mary Ann over 9 years ago

There are companies that specialise in smoke odor removal after a fire, you may need to have all the insulation removed if it hasn't before.

983 Votes

I recently found out that my local FD (volunteer) has alcoholic beverages for its members at the firehouse. I know that light drinking won't impair someone's ability to respond, but should I be worried about this? What should I do about it?

Asked by 123 over 10 years ago

Back in the day and even today volunteer fire departments were a social club environment, You would be respected in the community if you were a volunteer firefighter. Elections, weddings, marriages, community meeting and parties were held in the fire halls. With that said there were and still are the availability of alcohol in some of these organizations. My professional thinking is that alcohol has no place in a fire dept. We should be at the top of our game and not under the influence of alcohol.

982 Votes

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Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Explain how motivating factors of modern fire research impact fire science.

I'm 18, female & was planning to volunteer after hs. I was going to do it as a full time job, but i heard that the written tests are every 4 years & the recent one will be this year, but im not physically ready. i was just wondering how i can apply?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

How has American dependence on synthetic materials changed the way those employed in fire protection fields do their jobs?

What medical level do you think firefighters should have to be certified at (if any)? (Basic CPR, certified first responder, EMT, or paramedic). Is a well-trained EMT/FF better than a so-so p-medic/FF who is only certified in order to get the FF job

Also on Jobstr...

Do become a firefighter do you have to past the aerial ladder test? What if they you don't? Could a person still be a firefighter even though there afraid of heights? Do you have any advice.

I am buying a home that had an attic fire 20 years ago. What can I do to reduce the smoke smell in the attic? Also, what can I do to reduce possible carcinogens in that space (we have no need of going up there otherwise as it is not a storage area).

I recently found out that my local FD (volunteer) has alcoholic beverages for its members at the firehouse. I know that light drinking won't impair someone's ability to respond, but should I be worried about this? What should I do about it?

Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Explain how motivating factors of modern fire research impact fire science.

I'm 18, female & was planning to volunteer after hs. I was going to do it as a full time job, but i heard that the written tests are every 4 years & the recent one will be this year, but im not physically ready. i was just wondering how i can apply?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

How has American dependence on synthetic materials changed the way those employed in fire protection fields do their jobs?

What medical level do you think firefighters should have to be certified at (if any)? (Basic CPR, certified first responder, EMT, or paramedic). Is a well-trained EMT/FF better than a so-so p-medic/FF who is only certified in order to get the FF job

Also on Jobstr...

Do become a firefighter do you have to past the aerial ladder test? What if they you don't? Could a person still be a firefighter even though there afraid of heights? Do you have any advice.

I am buying a home that had an attic fire 20 years ago. What can I do to reduce the smoke smell in the attic? Also, what can I do to reduce possible carcinogens in that space (we have no need of going up there otherwise as it is not a storage area).

I recently found out that my local FD (volunteer) has alcoholic beverages for its members at the firehouse. I know that light drinking won't impair someone's ability to respond, but should I be worried about this? What should I do about it?

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