What age do most firefighters start?

Some departments may set the minimum age at 21 years old, but that is less common. Being 18 years old is one of the minimum requirements (along with high school diploma or GED, EMT certification, and Valid driver’s license) to apply for most firefighter positions.

How long are you a rookie firefighter?

A probationary firefighter (PFF), also known as a rookie firefighter, a candidate firefighter, or probie, for short, is any firefighter in their first 6–18 months of service in a particular fire department.

Is the firefighter physical test hard?

The CPAT is a difficult, strenuous test, but not impossible.

Why is firefighting so competitive?

California is one of the more difficult states to become a firefighter. This is because it is a desirable area to live and has higher than the average pay for firefighters, in many areas. As discussed above, this added competition for jobs means that it may take longer than average to get hired.

What should a firefighter do on the first day?

Your First Morning at the Fire Station Arrive early, use the hide-key to gain access. Park out of the way so the firefighters have a place to park. You can move your car into the lot at a later time. Place your turnout gear on the engine or truck and make sure you are ready for an emergency response.

Why are new firefighters called probie?

A probationary firefighter has many different names. Some departments call them “probies” for short or use the term PFF. Others prefer to call them candidates because it seems like a more positive term. Probation makes it sounds like you have a threat of expulsion hanging over your head for doing something wrong.

Do firefighters have a lot of downtime?

THERE ISN’T MUCH DOWNTIME. Even on a “slow” day, firefighters don’t have much freedom to sit back and relax. Firefighters make time for non-emergency tasks when their schedule permits, which may include checking fire hydrants, conducting fire safety inspections, and completing training exercises.