| If you are considering making firefighting your | | | | of duty. They were the ones who always lent a |
| career, you should spend some time researching | | | | helping hand when someone was in trouble. Just |
| the details of the job first. Becoming a firefighter | | | | because it was the right thing to do. Perhaps that |
| is a very challenging process. It involves a lot of | | | | is why many firefighters are also veterans. |
| preparation and determination. You need to be | | | | If you would like to find out more about what it is |
| physically fit and mentally strong. You are going to | | | | really like to be a firefighter. Visit your local fire |
| endure and experience things that most people | | | | station. Talk to the firefighters. Not just the |
| only see on T.V. or in nightmares. I can guarantee | | | | newbie either. Find a grey haired salty looking dog |
| that the perception most folks have about what | | | | and ask him what he likes or dislikes about the |
| it is like to be a firefighter is very different than | | | | job. He may grumble about new EMS standards, |
| the actual job itself. It can be very hard inglorious | | | | or complain about the administrations last decision |
| work. You will often be too tired, too hot, too | | | | affecting retirement benefits, but I bet he still |
| cold, too soggy, and just too burned out of | | | | couldn't imagine doing anything else. |
| seeing people hurt and killed. But there will also be | | | | If you still think that firefighting is for you, then |
| times when you are some ones only hope of | | | | you have just joined the ranks of a rather large |
| seeing their loved one alive again. You will be | | | | and diverse group of people. Traditionally, there |
| some ones only hope of saving their home from | | | | has been a much greater number of applicants |
| the ravages of wildfire. You will feel excited, | | | | for entry level firefighting positions then there are |
| amazed, proud, and loved. It certainly can be a | | | | jobs. This can be a little disheartening and stops a |
| rollercoaster. But most firefighters will agree, that | | | | lot of folks from pursuing it any further. For |
| they just can't imagine doing anything else. | | | | example, the first time I tested for the position |
| Today, people want to become firefighters for | | | | of firefighter, there were 15,000 applicants for |
| many different reasons. The fact that you | | | | 100 available positions. Not very good odds. I was |
| receive decent pay, good benefits, and only have | | | | very disheartened. But it wasn't long before I |
| to work 10 days a month attracts many. The | | | | realized that most of the applicants were not |
| excitement of driving a big red truck with flashing | | | | very qualified. Most were under prepared in some |
| lights attracts others. In my opinion, those folks | | | | area. I realized that all I had to do was become |
| who simply get a mental lift by helping others in | | | | the most qualified applicant. Or at least the top 2 |
| need are the ones who will be happy for their | | | | percent. If you are prepared in advance, and you |
| whole career. The flashing lights lose their luster. | | | | know how the testing process works, you can |
| The pay and benefits alone will not be enough to | | | | significantly improve your chances of getting hired. |
| compensate you for the rigors of the job. You | | | | In my next article, I will map out the process I |
| have to be content being a public servant. Before | | | | used to become a perfect firefighter candidate. I |
| television popularized firefighting, the job was | | | | will show you how I got hired and secured a job |
| reserved for a select few who felt a deep sense | | | | on only my second firefighter test ever. |