
What is the best age to be a firefighter?
However, typically, the younger a recruit is – the better from the department’s point of view. In my experience, most professional firefighters are hired between 25 and 35 years old, but there are definitely exceptions. Also read: What Is The Age Limit To Be A Paramedic/EMT?
Is there an age limit to work in the fire service?
The fire service doesn’t intend to discriminate based on age. The reasons they may have upper age limits are because younger people can be more likely to demonstrate the other attributes that the job demands. This doesn’t mean that a 40-year-old can’t be fitter than a 20-year-old, for example.
How to become a fireman?
1 Earn a High School Diploma. The first step that you are going to want to take on your quest to become a Firefighter is to earn a High ... 2 Take the Tests. You don’t need to earn a degree to become a Firefighter, although having a degree in fire science can be very helpful, you will have ... 3 Attend Fire Academy. ... 4 Continue Learning. ...
How long does it take to become a fire captain?
This could mean earning a degree in fire science, which can take around four years to complete, or gaining experience through working as a Firefighter. Depending on your fire captain and which path you take as a firefighter, there may be some certifications or specializations that interest you or are required.

What age is too late to become a firefighter?
We do not have an age limit for applicants. It is very possible that two people the same age, whether 20 or 40, will perform very differently. It is up to each recruit, in conjunction with their medical physician, to determine what they are physically capable of doing.
Is 40 too old to be a firefighter?
You can become a professional firefighter after 30, 40, or even 50 at some fire departments. There are departments that have upper age limits between 28 and 40, while others have no upper age requirements for firefighters. There are usually no upper age limits to be a volunteer firefighter.
Is 27 too old to become a firefighter?
Meet basic requirements to become a firefighter For those younger than 18, you can look into limited involvement as a junior firefighter. There also will likely be a maximum age, usually between 28 and 35 years old, depending on the department you're applying to.
What is the average age someone becomes a firefighter?
After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that: There are over 142,017 firemen currently employed in the United States. 11.8% of all firemen are women, while 88.2% are men. The average age of an employed fireman is 38 years old.
How much do firefighters get paid?
The average firefighter salary in the United States is $45,563. While it is highly doubtful that anyone gets into this business for the money, relatively low salaries make many in the industry feel unappreciated.
Do volunteer firefighters get paid?
Under the FLSA, volunteer firefighters can never receive hourly pay. This requirement falls well short of establishing a complete ban on payments, however. The city or town can pay the firefighters a nominal fee as well as expense reimbursements and some reasonable benefits, and payments are taxable income.
What are the requirements to be a fireman?
Postsecondary nondegree awardFirefighter / Entry level education
What it takes to be a firefighter?
Skills, education and training To qualify for a job as a firefighter, you will undergo rigorous and demanding physical training. You have to be 18 years or older but not older than 45. You must have passed matric, be physically and mentally fit – there are various evaluations you will have to pass.
What jobs are similar to firefighters?
Police officerEMTs and ParamedicsCorrectional Officers and BailiffsFire InspectorsSecurity Guards and Gaming S...Firefighter/Similar professions
Are there female firefighters?
“You have become role models and heroes for a generation of women and anyone who thought they could not have a place at the table.” With the 13 new graduates, the FDNY's total number of female firefighters was brought to 134 – accounting for a little more than 1% of the department's more than 10,000 firefighters.
Who is the youngest firefighter?
DARLINGTON, S.C. — At 16, you were probably studying world history, not making history. But for Darlington resident Brandon Odom, breaking records is a part of his life. Odom is the youngest certified firefighter in the history of the Darlington County Fire District.
Can you join the fire service at 40?
Are there age limitations on applying? The minimum age for application is 18, and although some FRS's do have an upper age limit (this will be listed in the job description in the post) the majority do not.
Is it hard to become a firefighter?
Being a firefighter is not easy and neither is the process of becoming a firefighter. Competition is fierce and the hiring process can be very grueling and challenging, something many people do not endure or succeed at. More than 70% give up the pursuit of becoming a firefighter and move on to other career choices.
What is the cut off age for firefighter in California?
AGE: You must be at least 18 years old to apply (no maximum age). EDUCATION: Graduation from high school OR passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination.
What age do firefighters have the advantage?
Not only does a younger firefighter have the physical advantage, but the mental one as well. A 2014 study that reviewed more than 3,300 people between the ages of 16 and 44 discovered that at 24 years old, your brain has the fastest response times.
How old do you have to be to volunteer firefighter?
If you want to become a volunteer firefighter, some fire departments in the country might allow you to start volunteering as young as 16 years old. Both volunteering and joining a junior firefighting program are invaluable experiences to add to your resume.
How old do you have to be to work as a firefighter in New York?
Other exceptions exist as well. For example, although you’re a legal adult in New York at age 18, you must be 21 years old before you can start work as a hired firefighter in the state.
What is the youngest age to be employed?
According to rules set forth by the FLSA, the youngest age that an individual in the country can be employed is 14.
What is it like to be a firefighter?
Being a firefighter, as we’re sure we don’t have to tell you, is physically and mentally grueling. You have an unpredictable lifestyle in which you can be called into work at any time. You have to handle heavy fire equipment, climb into burning buildings, use fire hoses, and rescue victims.
Why is instant reaction important in firefighting?
In firefighting, instant reactions are critical. You need to be able to think fast and act fast, as that can often be the difference between life and death, either your life or someone else’s. If you can’t act when needed as a firefighter, then maybe this isn’t the right career field for you at this age.
Does fitness decline faster after 40?
The real kicker though is this. “The study also showed that after age 40, men’s fitness levels declined at a faster rate than women, regardless of their level of physical activity.”
What Is The Minimum Age For A Firefighter?
We’ve already mentioned that some states and cities like New York won’t recruit below twenty-one, but a lot of fire departments will, and as long as you have a GED and are a high school graduate, they’ll gladly welcome you into their ranks as long as you’re physically and mentally able to do the job.
What age do you have to be to become a firefighter?
Eighteen is usually the minimum age that any department will recruit at, and if you’re interested in finding out what the requirements are for a career as a firefighter when you leave high school, then you should contact your local fire department and talk to them about it.
What is the life of a firefighter?
Mentally Alert - The life of a firefighter will plunge you into all manner of situations where you’ll be expected to constantly improvise, ad-lib, adapt and overcome any and all untoward scenarios that you might find yourself embroiled in.
How old do you have to be to be a firefighter in Phoenix?
On the other hand, a smaller city with less high-rise infrastructure such as Phoenix, will recruit firefighters from the age of eighteen and has no upper age limit, and are happy to recruit any potential firefighter as long as they can do the job, and do it well.
How old do you have to be to join the fire department?
They won’t accept any recruit before the age of twenty-one and have a cut-off point of twenty-nine, because, like a lot of big city fire departments, the majority of the fires that they’re called out to deal with occur in apartment buildings and skyscrapers and as such it is an incredibly physically demanding and arduous job, and they need to be sure that all of their recruits are capable of pushing themselves to the limits of their physical ability, day after day week after week and year after year.
Why do fire departments have an age limit?
One of the most common reasons why a fire department might impose an upper age limit is purely financial.
Do firefighters retire after their primary career?
In fact, most of the firefighters who join the volunteer service, do so after they’ve retired from their primary career and having discovered that retirement doesn’t quite live up to their expectations, are looking for something else to do with their time.
How old do you have to be to be a firefighter?
This is what you need to know. You can become a professional firefighter after 30, 40, or even 50 at some fire departments. There are departments that have upper age limits between 28 and 40, while others have no upper age requirements for firefighters. There are usually no upper age limits to be a volunteer firefighter.
What Is The Average Age To Become A Firefighter?
Most fire departments are looking to recruit someone quite young for their roles. If they can bring somebody on board when they are a fresh-faced 21 or 22-year-old – they’ve got a blank slate to work with.
Why Are There Age Requirements For Firefighters?
The reasons they may have upper age limits are because younger people can be more likely to demonstrate the other attributes that the job demands.
What is the difference between a volunteer and a career firefighter?
Volunteer vs career firefighter: what’s the difference? A volunteer firefighter is a valuable addition to any firefighting team, and they are trained and supported to contribute to saving lives and serving the public. However, there are real differences which stem from a lower level of time commitment and a career firefighter will be more experienced, in most cases, but not always, than a volunteer.
How old are firefighters in Santa Clara County?
For example, Santa Clara County Fire Department ( SCCFD) in California has an age range for new firefighter from 21 to 35 years old.
Why do fire departments have age limits?
The reasons they may have upper age limits are because younger people can be more likely to demonstrate the other attributes that the job demands. This doesn’t mean that a 40-year-old can’t be fitter than a 20-year-old, for example. Of course they can.
What is the number one killer of firefighters?
It might surprise you to learn that the number one killer of firefighters is not fires or even smoke. It’s coronary heart disease. The younger you are, the more healthy that you are likely to be. Then you also need to be able to haul 75 lbs. of equipment around with you, possibly for hours, when on a call.
What are the qualifications for FRS?
The desired qualifications differ slightly across the different FRS’s. You’ll be expected to have a reasonable level of literacy and mathematics skills , but many FRS’s will provide testing in these areas during the application process for candidates who do not have the ‘paper’ qualifications.
Is it illegal to discriminate against older people?
It is actually illegal to discriminate against an applicant on the basis of their age, but another reason for recruitment to consider older candidates is that many of these applicants possess attributes such as a range of life and work experiences, a mature outlook and a strong work ethic. Qualifications Vs.
Are there age limitations on applying?
The minimum age for application is 18, and although some FRS’s do have an upper age limit (this will be listed in the job description in the post) the majority do not.
How old do you have to be to be a firefighter?
Some departments have maximum age restrictions, but many only have a minimum age requirement, usually 18. Certain characteristics and qualifications are desired by fire departments and can overcome any reservations about age that the decision-makers have.
How old do you have to be to work in fire department?
Call firefighting departments you are interested in working for and ask whether they have maximum age restrictions for applicants. Some departments set age 39 or 40 as the maximum they will consider. You also can check their websites. Check the department's education and certification requirements.
How long does it take to get an EMT certification?
Obtain your emergency medical training certification, because many firefighting departments require EMT certification at the time of hiring or within six months. Even if not a requirement, this certification gives you an edge in the hiring process.
Why do you volunteer for a fire department?
Volunteer for a fire department to gain experience while you pursue your job search.
Do firefighters have to pass physical ability tests?
Make sure you are in excellent physical condition. This is imperative for firefighters, and you'll be expected to pass a physical ability test.
Do municipal fire departments require certification?
Some municipal fire departments require state certification as a firefighter before hiring. This involves classroom courses and practical training in building construction, fire prevention, fire control, fire extinguishing and hazardous materials. Other departments send new hires for the training and reimburse or pay tuition costs.
How old do you have to be to be a firefighter?
No person shall be eligible to take an examination for original appointment to the position of firefighter or police officer in a city or town if the applicant will not have reached 19 years of age on or before the final date for the filing of applications for the examination, as so stated; provided, however, that an applicant who reached 19 years of age while serving on active military duty, who was not 19 on or before the date of an original examination, shall be eligible for any subsequent make up examination that is offered.
How old do you have to be to be a police officer?
Note: You need to be 21 years old to be appointed as a police officer.
How old do you have to be to be a firefighter?
Meet basic requirements to become a firefighter. In order to become a firefighter, you will need a valid driver's license and meet the age requirement of 18 years old. For those younger than 18, you can look into limited involvement as a junior firefighter. There also will likely be a maximum age, usually between 28 and 35 years old, ...
What are the requirements to become a firefighter?
Jan 22, 2021. Becoming a firefighter is no easy task. It requires hard work, long hours of training, dedication and a sincere desire to help others.
What is the physical ability test for firefighter?
Becoming a firefighter requires passing a physical ability test. The CPAT events are stair climb, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise and extension, forcible entry, search, rescue, ceiling breach and pull. Prepare yourself for the physical nature of the job as well as the demands of the test.
How competitive is firefighting?
It requires hard work, long hours of training, dedication and a sincere desire to help others. The firefighting career field is very competitive, too. You'll be up against hundreds, possibly thousands of applicants depending on the department.
Do I need to go to a fire department academy?
Getting your state entry-level firefighter certifications, such as Firefighter I and II, is a great move. You’ll still need to attend a department’s academy once hired, but this gives you a leg up and helps you learn the book and practical skills of the job. Joining a volunteer fire department is one way to get into an academy.
How old do you have to be to be a firefighter?
In order to work as a Firefighter, you need to have at least a High School diploma and be 18 years old. As competition intensifies, some Firefighters are earning an Associates or Bachelor’s degree in fire science. This can take from 2-4 years, depending on which type of degree you decide to get.
How long does it take to become a firefighter?
Often times, going to Fire Academy is enough to become a Firefighter. This can take several weeks or up to a couple of months to complete. In Fire Academy, you will focus on classroom work as well as hands-on skills.
What is the physical ability test for firefighters?
This test will help show how physically capable you are of doing the rigorous activities that a Firefighter must face. Typically, fire stations require aspiring Firefighters to take the Candidate Physical Ability Test. This test is broken up into several parts. First, you will need to climb several flights of stairs.
How much do firefighters make?
Most Firefighters make around $54,000 a year . However, when you are just starting out in the career, you can expect to make less. New Firefighters make around $35,000 a year. It’s possible to make up to $100,000 as a Firefighter with experience and education.
What do firefighters do?
However, Firefighters do much more than just fight fires, they also find and rescue victims, help in emergency situations, treat sick people, help with chemical spills, and teach citizens about fire safety. Some Firefighters can be found teaching classes to youth, new Firefighters, and communities as well.
Why are firefighters important?
Firefighters are an important part of our society; they help keep us safe and are always there when there is an emergency.
What type of person would make a great firefighter?
If you are the type of person who always puts others first, then you may be just the type of person that would make a great Firefighter.
