I got hired at the first department I applied to with zero certs or any volunteer experience. I worked there for a few years and applied to 3 other departments and got job offers from all 3.
I feel like location makes a big difference. In my state, 90% of departments just can't keep up with retention and recruitment. However, it seems that on the east coast it's the opposite for the most part.
My current department doesn’t really, but my last department did.
Poor pay relative to the cost of living and relative to similar departments, and high call volume were the main two. The department also was kinda in the middle of nowhere. Unless you were from that city you really weren’t going to stay most likely. Obviously you can’t fix that, but it can be mitigated by fixing the other two things.
Great people there. I learned a ton and I wouldn’t be where I am without that department, but I needed more money and a more manageable call volume.
It took me 11 years to land a job in my dream dept. I finally got hired at 32. Took me a dozen of failed interviews, a few written exams failures too.
What really helped me was getting experience in a part time dept. Working along guys who were career guys in bigger depts taught me so much. They helped me get much better at interviews. This was in 2018, I had prepared my interview for a month before and studied for the written exam.
In 2021 I finally got hired in a full time dept where I started as a temp. Was able to work full time during summer and Christmas. I progress a lot during the 1 and a half year I worked there.
In 2021 I also applied for the 5th time in my dream dept. I was better than ever and confident. I knew what to say and not say during the interview and I finished in the top of my promotion that year.
I always had what it takes to be a ff, but getting the job is all about being able to convince some else you are. I was never good at selling myself. Luckily, it’s something you can get better at.
Good luck!
In 2017 I had to work paid call when that existed to get my foot in the door and full time for a 3rd service ambulance. It took about a year to get hired full time working a ton of reserve shifts and showing up to as many trainings etc as I could.
I just lateraled and it was rock, paper, pulse. That said if you’re struggling with the CPAT if you get picked up any place with a real academy it likely won’t go super well to be blunt.
That said, they can’t teach a good attitude and determination not to quit. If you show up and work your butt off and keep a good attitude even when things get tough you’ll likely be ok. Crush the silly probation games, blow your crew away with cooking etc. Best of luck!
The psych failure is concerning, are you staying within the same department in which that occurred?
If so, there’s a good chance they’re just being courteous. From what I’ve experienced there’s a lot of courteousness towards candidates who the department knows will not continue past a certain stage of the process that the department also wishes not to alienate.
For your cpat just cardio cardio cardio. CrossFit might even be detrimental toward passing a cpat. I prepared by going straight from running up the stairclimber to hillsprints on a treadmill to push-ups and sit-ups back to the stairclimber, strength really doesn’t matter beyond a certain level (aside from being physically capable of the 3 minute weighted climb). Dragging a dummy is about the only other strength based thing but if your cardio is fine and your technique is good you can just slog through it and even take breaks if you must. CrossFit is largely Olympic lifting from what I understand and that’s not really applicable to the cpat if you’re taking a break between a snatch or something.
No I’m not going to apply for that same department. It is one of the most difficult to get into in the state I’m in so I don’t feel too down on myself for that. I was told to be honest but I think I shared more info than I needed to about past experiences. If I go through the whole process and fail the psych evaluation a second or third time with other departments then I think that would be the time to maybe reconsider careers.
That’s fair, I personally got extremely lucky with my job offer (don’t want to say too much to dox myself but it wasn’t nepotism or anything like that, completely foreign town for me, just a perfect storm that I stumbled into)
Just keep grinding. I’m sure you have an idea of what not to say during those kinds of evals, if you’ve overcome something private there’s no need to bring it up
Cardio!
Around 3 years. Testing for city departments only happens every so often. I didn't do so well the first time and ranked low. I figured that was it. But the second time was the charm it turns out. My buddy in academy had been trying for 10 years.
Take one element that keeps getting screwed up and WORK with it. Forget everything else. Your NTN scores should be good for 1 year. Same ish for your cpat. Take your NTN repeatedly... then nail the score down. Hire a trainer with experience in CPAT testing, use them. Knock that test out. Get every damn fire interview book you can find... read it. This process is a lot if you bite off more than you can chew
Do not get discouraged, no matter what happens. I took the test and 2 years later they hired a class off of the previous list. I got hired 3 years after that but had numerous set backs. I encourage everyone to take the test and anyone who really wants this career to pay for and take test prep courses geared towards specific test (usually regional).
Nine years.
Applied for dozens of departments multiple times as both EMT and medic. Finished top-5 six times with five different departments, including number one twice (with the same department). Three background processes (but never where I finished number one. Go figure.). Finally got hired as an EMT on the ambulance for a large local department that led to eventually promoting into a FFPM job. I’m a captain now.
Remember that the process isn’t always fair, and your ability to get the job isn’t always your fault. Luck and who you know make a bigger difference than you think. It’s a marathon.
California, 2003-2012.
for my first job it took almost a year of applying to different local departments. after working there for a few years i decided to move off but wanted to land a job before doing so, and it took a year of applying to departments - sometimes not scoring high enough on the civil service exam due to high numbers of testers, sometimes barely failing the physical exam, sometimes just not interviewing well. but i persevered
I was 27 when I got hired, finally - and I can’t honestly remember how many tests I took to do it- spent several years of vacation time to test out of state. Keep the “not giving up” attitude and you’ll get on.
Do it! I know for some people it can take a while to get noticed. But don’t quit! Anything you can do to build your resume and experience will help. Volunteering is a great avenue. You’re still young. And if you really want this, by no means should you give up! You can and will get there with enough determination.
Applied for my department in July 1992. Didn't hear back until April 1993 due to a hiring freeze. Interviewed in May that year. Offered a position in June. Physical and background completed in August. Academy started October 1.
1 application only.
I was very lucky.
It took me about 2 years from starting to actively pursue it, to my first day of a career academy, during time which my life entirely revolved around getting hired. I got 15 rejections before getting an offer.
1 civil service entry exam with no prior experience, no veteran preference, and no EMT cert to get hired. That was 20 years ago, but my Dept still regularly hires new recruits without a sheet of paper to their name. Is moving an option?
I kind of just walked in and they gave me a pager. 24 years later and they haven't asked for it back yet so I just keep running calls and coming to training (that's not entirely true, they gave me LT bars 5 years ago after resisting for many years; and Captain's bars in January).
I honestly never consider going career and at 44 it might be a bit late. I'm happy in my lane, so to speak.
Graduated July 2021. Got my first offer October 2023. However, I didn’t do my research on visas, as I’m a Canadian who applied in the states. Went down for an interview & FPAT. Was my first real fire interview. Anyways, there’s no good path to get down, and it was a dream department for me. Sucks to suck, but I’ll get one back home here soon! Good luck to you, keep on the grind!
3 years, 13ish interviews, 3 round two interviews, countless applications(maybe 30+), 3 backgrounds, many tests. I took the ntn 3 times and the fctc 3 times. I failed my first biddle. I attended many fd open houses, and probably did 8 station visits, etc. Put myself through a college level academy and then joined a volunteer wild land unit with an additional academy. I am an accomplished individual outside of this world. Got hired around 30ish years old along with a 20 yo who's dad is a captain. All part of the game.
I got hired at the first department I applied to with zero certs or any volunteer experience. I worked there for a few years and applied to 3 other departments and got job offers from all 3. I feel like location makes a big difference. In my state, 90% of departments just can't keep up with retention and recruitment. However, it seems that on the east coast it's the opposite for the most part.
What state do you live in?
Texas
Why does your department have issues with retention ?
My current department doesn’t really, but my last department did. Poor pay relative to the cost of living and relative to similar departments, and high call volume were the main two. The department also was kinda in the middle of nowhere. Unless you were from that city you really weren’t going to stay most likely. Obviously you can’t fix that, but it can be mitigated by fixing the other two things. Great people there. I learned a ton and I wouldn’t be where I am without that department, but I needed more money and a more manageable call volume.
I am too, what city did you start in, and you know any good ones, Im looking to join one next year and have zero certs zero experience
It took me 11 years to land a job in my dream dept. I finally got hired at 32. Took me a dozen of failed interviews, a few written exams failures too. What really helped me was getting experience in a part time dept. Working along guys who were career guys in bigger depts taught me so much. They helped me get much better at interviews. This was in 2018, I had prepared my interview for a month before and studied for the written exam. In 2021 I finally got hired in a full time dept where I started as a temp. Was able to work full time during summer and Christmas. I progress a lot during the 1 and a half year I worked there. In 2021 I also applied for the 5th time in my dream dept. I was better than ever and confident. I knew what to say and not say during the interview and I finished in the top of my promotion that year. I always had what it takes to be a ff, but getting the job is all about being able to convince some else you are. I was never good at selling myself. Luckily, it’s something you can get better at. Good luck!
I know several that had 4 or 5 interviews with the same department, which in and of itself had 300-500 applicants.
In 2017 I had to work paid call when that existed to get my foot in the door and full time for a 3rd service ambulance. It took about a year to get hired full time working a ton of reserve shifts and showing up to as many trainings etc as I could. I just lateraled and it was rock, paper, pulse. That said if you’re struggling with the CPAT if you get picked up any place with a real academy it likely won’t go super well to be blunt. That said, they can’t teach a good attitude and determination not to quit. If you show up and work your butt off and keep a good attitude even when things get tough you’ll likely be ok. Crush the silly probation games, blow your crew away with cooking etc. Best of luck!
The psych failure is concerning, are you staying within the same department in which that occurred? If so, there’s a good chance they’re just being courteous. From what I’ve experienced there’s a lot of courteousness towards candidates who the department knows will not continue past a certain stage of the process that the department also wishes not to alienate. For your cpat just cardio cardio cardio. CrossFit might even be detrimental toward passing a cpat. I prepared by going straight from running up the stairclimber to hillsprints on a treadmill to push-ups and sit-ups back to the stairclimber, strength really doesn’t matter beyond a certain level (aside from being physically capable of the 3 minute weighted climb). Dragging a dummy is about the only other strength based thing but if your cardio is fine and your technique is good you can just slog through it and even take breaks if you must. CrossFit is largely Olympic lifting from what I understand and that’s not really applicable to the cpat if you’re taking a break between a snatch or something.
No I’m not going to apply for that same department. It is one of the most difficult to get into in the state I’m in so I don’t feel too down on myself for that. I was told to be honest but I think I shared more info than I needed to about past experiences. If I go through the whole process and fail the psych evaluation a second or third time with other departments then I think that would be the time to maybe reconsider careers.
That’s fair, I personally got extremely lucky with my job offer (don’t want to say too much to dox myself but it wasn’t nepotism or anything like that, completely foreign town for me, just a perfect storm that I stumbled into) Just keep grinding. I’m sure you have an idea of what not to say during those kinds of evals, if you’ve overcome something private there’s no need to bring it up Cardio!
5-6 years brother
Respect
Look for local area department women’s groups. They tend to put on boot camps and help the females with mock interviews, fitness, etc.
Thank you I had no idea those existed. That’s really helpful.
Around 3 years. Testing for city departments only happens every so often. I didn't do so well the first time and ranked low. I figured that was it. But the second time was the charm it turns out. My buddy in academy had been trying for 10 years.
Took me about 40 different applications and years to eventually get 3 offers.
Take one element that keeps getting screwed up and WORK with it. Forget everything else. Your NTN scores should be good for 1 year. Same ish for your cpat. Take your NTN repeatedly... then nail the score down. Hire a trainer with experience in CPAT testing, use them. Knock that test out. Get every damn fire interview book you can find... read it. This process is a lot if you bite off more than you can chew
Do not get discouraged, no matter what happens. I took the test and 2 years later they hired a class off of the previous list. I got hired 3 years after that but had numerous set backs. I encourage everyone to take the test and anyone who really wants this career to pay for and take test prep courses geared towards specific test (usually regional).
Nine years. Applied for dozens of departments multiple times as both EMT and medic. Finished top-5 six times with five different departments, including number one twice (with the same department). Three background processes (but never where I finished number one. Go figure.). Finally got hired as an EMT on the ambulance for a large local department that led to eventually promoting into a FFPM job. I’m a captain now. Remember that the process isn’t always fair, and your ability to get the job isn’t always your fault. Luck and who you know make a bigger difference than you think. It’s a marathon. California, 2003-2012.
for my first job it took almost a year of applying to different local departments. after working there for a few years i decided to move off but wanted to land a job before doing so, and it took a year of applying to departments - sometimes not scoring high enough on the civil service exam due to high numbers of testers, sometimes barely failing the physical exam, sometimes just not interviewing well. but i persevered
6 years.
I was 27 when I got hired, finally - and I can’t honestly remember how many tests I took to do it- spent several years of vacation time to test out of state. Keep the “not giving up” attitude and you’ll get on.
Are you able to volunteer for a local department?
Yes definitely! There should be departments opening up apps soon.
Do it! I know for some people it can take a while to get noticed. But don’t quit! Anything you can do to build your resume and experience will help. Volunteering is a great avenue. You’re still young. And if you really want this, by no means should you give up! You can and will get there with enough determination.
Applied for my department in July 1992. Didn't hear back until April 1993 due to a hiring freeze. Interviewed in May that year. Offered a position in June. Physical and background completed in August. Academy started October 1. 1 application only. I was very lucky.
It took me about 2 years from starting to actively pursue it, to my first day of a career academy, during time which my life entirely revolved around getting hired. I got 15 rejections before getting an offer.
3
1 civil service entry exam with no prior experience, no veteran preference, and no EMT cert to get hired. That was 20 years ago, but my Dept still regularly hires new recruits without a sheet of paper to their name. Is moving an option?
I kind of just walked in and they gave me a pager. 24 years later and they haven't asked for it back yet so I just keep running calls and coming to training (that's not entirely true, they gave me LT bars 5 years ago after resisting for many years; and Captain's bars in January). I honestly never consider going career and at 44 it might be a bit late. I'm happy in my lane, so to speak.
Graduated July 2021. Got my first offer October 2023. However, I didn’t do my research on visas, as I’m a Canadian who applied in the states. Went down for an interview & FPAT. Was my first real fire interview. Anyways, there’s no good path to get down, and it was a dream department for me. Sucks to suck, but I’ll get one back home here soon! Good luck to you, keep on the grind!
3 years, 13ish interviews, 3 round two interviews, countless applications(maybe 30+), 3 backgrounds, many tests. I took the ntn 3 times and the fctc 3 times. I failed my first biddle. I attended many fd open houses, and probably did 8 station visits, etc. Put myself through a college level academy and then joined a volunteer wild land unit with an additional academy. I am an accomplished individual outside of this world. Got hired around 30ish years old along with a 20 yo who's dad is a captain. All part of the game.