Perfect Age ?

[daveb]

Does anyone know what is the perfect age for hiring FF. Do departments generally have an age cut-off or limit?

[Red_Devil]

i cant say for sure that they have a cut off age, i know we have hired a few guys in their early 40's, i dont think they would hire anyone after 45 but hey you never know

[FireGeek]

Most Depts. dont discriminate based on age, but if your looking for what a perfect age would be, I think it would fall somewhere into the 25 - 35 age group, with manditory retirement at age 60 they want to be able to get some years of service out of you and you want to be able to take full advantage of you pension. But on the other hand don't let age stop you from trying.

[Jurassic]

You can be pretty much ANY age although it is rare for early 20's and late 40's to be hired. The AVERAGE age is late 20's (27-29).

[infernobuster]

As far as i know, the youngest ive seen been hired is 19 years old .. and the olders being 47....

just my 2 cents ..

[iamvff]

Do you mean to tell me that a Fire dept. would actually concider hiring someone that is 40 years old?

Be safe,
iamvff

[Jurassic]

Absolutely. FF's have been hired in their 40's and some (although few) in their early 50's!

don't let age be a factor. young FF's tend to bring with them no preconceived notions and have not yet been "molded". Further their enthusiasm and energy are a plus. Older FF's tend to have more experience and life experience in general.

i think they hire a mix of ages so everyone doesn't retire at the same time like now!

[tmehmel]

Wow you mean I should still have hope?? LOL , I am having too much fun doing the volly thing and at least I am away from the politics going on close to us in a major prairie city.

Have a Great Holiday Season!!

Tom

[Jurassic]

Tom, how old are you? I'm sure you have lots of valuable vollie experience to bring to the table.

[OntFire]

About all these different ages with regards to be hired. I think it doesn't matter what your age is only that you are properly qualified for the job. Whether you are 18 or even 50 as long as you are able to all the job requirements with ease. It is just so frustrating getting hired. I thought it would be easier but I guess not because there are alot of qualified for the job. Being a young woman it makes me excited to think that I can take as long as it takes to get THE BADGE. If it takes me 5 years whatever I will never give up. I just wish there were more departments hiring out here in Ontario instead of having to travel from one end of the country to the other.

Good luck to all on the adventure.

[fireemsmom]

With regards to the "perfect age"... I was cruising through some sites the other night and came across a posting indicating that the candidate had to have not yet reached their 36th birthday. I don't recall where I saw this or for what department... just while I was fartin around.

R

[DoubleHelix]

Thats not correct, maybe in some departments but I know for a fact that Mississauga has hired above 40 lots of times and Hamilton too.

[daveb]

thanks for everyones input. i'm 34 and i think i'm going to give it a shot. i think that just trying to reach that goal will be worth some stories for the grandkids some day.

merry christmas to all !

cheers to all firefighters this new year.

[dentedhead]

Firstly, by federal law if you are between 18-65 you cannot be refused employment...except with a NRA 60, obviously.I was 42 when I was hired. I passed the same physical test(York U) as the younguns,same written test etc.I also brought 20 yrs exp.in EMS and a trade with me.I too wanted it my whole life and finally did it... with a little help from laser surgery;)

My experience is that most depts prefer a slightly older 25+ recruit for more than the obvious reasons. I remember trying to relate to coworkers who were maybe only 10 years older when I started in EMS. Simple things,that I am now fully aware of wife,kids, bills etc.As anyone who works the job will attest the group dynamics of your shift/platoon make the day a whole lot safer and fun.

My buck half worth anyway,

dentedhead

[fireemsmom]

Hey all

Sorry if I caused a ruckus... I knew I saw it somewhere - but it is for a posting in the US. Here's the first part of the posting:

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDICS

Perry Township Fire Department (Marion County ) will be accepting applications for the positions of Firefighters Firefighter/ Paramedics.

We are currently seeking to fill the positions of Firefighter/ Paramedics. Currently certified paramedics are encouraged to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking both men and women who meet the following

Minimum Qualifications: Is a stable individual with excellent health and vision Is a high school graduate or passed G.E.D. Has a valid Indiana Drivers License Is a citizen of the United States Is at least 21 years of age Must not have reached your 36th birthday by the time of Appointment.


This was found on www.careerbuilder.com if anyone would like to check it out. According to the info posted, it closes on January 3, 2005. Again, sorry if I got some underwear in knots... it wasn't intended that way.

R

[Buckster]

Just for curiosity sake....what's the average age on your FD? I'd say ours is around 40ish (EEEK!!) and I'm wondering if its a growing trend across the country.....not many younger folks interested(?)

[Scuba]

35-40.....

And yeah.... I think it's a two headed problem, old guys that love it won't leave it, and new young blood is hard to come by....

[Forest]

new blood is hard to come by, but in the last two months we've got about 10 new people all 18-21...brought the average age to i think 24

[iamvff]

I don't find that new people are to hard to find, but I do find that one in every 5 or 6 seems to have some dedication. The rest seem to have just about every excuse in the book for not showing up! I have been on for about 15 years, and have probably missed one or two fires because my pager didn't work. We have guys that seem to miss every other fire because "their pager didn't work", yet when we take it and test it...it seems to work fine!!? I would say our average age is around 30ish

iamvff

I guess we forgot to tell them that the pager doesn't run out of the charger stand and find them!

[LTPVFD]

Our average age is probably early to mid 30's. We still have one junior member (under 18), one who turned 19 a few months ago, a couple in their early 20's, but most are 30 or over.

Where we are lacking is in experience. We have a core group with 10 plus years of service, a few around 5 years, but way too many under 2 years. As we start a new recruit class, again, next month, we will bring the average experience even lower. :eek:

We recently had two members retire, both had 30 years of service. That is hard to replace!!

Stay safe !!


LTPVFD

[mfdff10]

wow that is a good question.... ummmmmm i would say around 35-40sih....but there are younger too...

[Toxic]

Well math was never my strong suit but... In our hall most of the guys are younger than I am and only 3 are older. I would guess then average is about 30. In our other hall the average is probably more like 40.

[Snider]

I am not sure either, but most of the volunteer(auxiliary) members that I work with are in their 20's, a few of us 30+ and maybe 1 or 2 over 40. There are quite a few career guys that are quite young too. I would guess our average age is lower than a lot of halls, but that trend can be seen throughout our town population too, which is generally young.

[FFKelly23]

I'm 19, and the next youngest in our department is 38. There was a 26 year old but no one has seen him in awhile.

I'd say the average for us is easily in the 40's range, maybe higher? I do know that one of our members will be 72 in a couple weeks.

[Firefit1]

What is the oldest age for firefighters have you seen coming into your hall? Going to do some job hunting for firefighting full-time. Been doing the volunteer thing for four years and want to do it full-time.

[ABFF37]

Over the last few years the oldest rookies that I have seen come through the halls that I work in is probably late 30's to mid 40's. The oldest that I have worked with in the last year was 42 when he came on the floor, although there have been a few even in their 50's over the last 7-10 years that have gotten hired. It seems here that right now there are more younger guys coming on, like early to mid twenties on up into mid thirties. I guess it just comes down to if you have what recruitment and the department are looking for.

Many of these guys who come on later have previous city time behind them, so a pension is less of a concern for them, because they will have spent their whole career with the city, just in different business units.

Good luck with it all!

AB

[smoke286]

I was 37 when I started on the job, We have a guy now waiting to start full time who is 42

[Punctualdeer]

The oldest one was engaged at 42 and 45 whit the new amalgamation. They where VFF. in his old city since 15 and 20 years. And there was one engaged in same time at 55 i thing, but he just doing run errands ( Commission )

[dentedhead]

I just turned 40 when I was hired best B'day present ever.Wanted it my whole life,Mrs DH called it my mid life crisis.

You stand the same chance as a 20-25-35 y/o.Dont let the number deter you.

Dentedhead

[fire16]

FF: if as your handle suggests, any age should be good to go if your fitness is up to snuff !

[firebabs222]

We just hired a 44 year old female, and a 45 year old male. But, on the other side of the coin, we hire alot of young blood as well.

[hfdfirejr]

we have a mamber that is about70 years old has been around our dept. for 55 years 20+ as a cheif and is probally our best for his age hes way old school in his actions and i would go in to a fire with him anyday

[Firefighter1680]

hired a 40 yo in my class in vancovuer..

[Ebon]

Hah I just couldn't imagine being a probie in my 40's

[Toxic]

Well I'm 33 and I think that if I were to switch careers into fulltime firefighting I'd have to do it in the next year or two. I'm certainly not an "old" man but stuff does hurt a little more now than it did when I was 23. Not sure I'd want to still be one of the new guys once I was in my 40's.

Just my 2 cents. If I was fulltime I'm sure I'd be in hellava better shape...that would make everything a little easier.

[spigot]

The station I am at has 8 over the age of 60 still in it's ranks.
They are the first to complain about any drill or B.A work, there comes a time when you just have to let go and say "I'm too old for this sh*t".

[tmehmel]

Well i am over 40 and loving it. I am not afraid of any training nor do I complain. Did my Rural water supply course with a broken foot and loved it. It has alos given me a good reason to get off my butt and try to get into better shape. I would have loved to be a fulltimer, but my glasses put that out of reach in the past so I serve to the best of my ability. Passing level 1 with kids half my age was a triumph for me and it proved to me that I still have the drive needed. Even with my glasses, wpg lost a possible good fulltimer who would have loved what they have now.
tom

[SmokeEaterHFD]

In our surrounding departments, the age to become a full member is 18, whereas ours is 19. One of the departments is a smaller department and has fewer members then we do so i can some what see where they would make them full members to have more firefighters on hand.

What do you guys think about the age being dropped to 18 intead of 19. Am i being stupid or is it a reasonable thought, keep me informed, thanks alot .
I am really interested to see what you have to tell me Shannon, and i definately appreciate your input as a deputy chief

[Scuba]

hmmmmm interesting topic - not that we descriminate against younger folks - but unless they're 'settled' into the community, (unless we're hurting for warm bodies) we prefer to talk guys on that are even older than 19 - try 22 or 23. They're more likely to stay in the community, set roots, and aren't gonna disapear once we have $1500 worth of gear sittin on the floor for'em and have them fully trained and licensed......as well......there's the whole red mist adrenalin thing that old people seem to have a better handle on......

Now as a caviet there always are, and always will be exeptions to the rules. So it isn't the end all and be all - that's why we say 18 years at a minimum at the time of application......

I dunno - Seem fair?

[irsqyu]

hmmmmm interesting topic - not that we descriminate against younger folks - but unless they're 'settled' into the community, (unless we're hurting for warm bodies) we prefer to talk guys on that are even older than 19 - try 22 or 23. They're more likely to stay in the community, set roots, and aren't gonna disapear once we have $1500 worth of gear sittin on the floor for'em and have them fully trained and licensed......as well......there's the whole red mist adrenalin thing that old people seem to have a better handle on......

Now as a caviet there always are, and always will be exeptions to the rules. So it isn't the end all and be all - that's why we say 18 years at a minimum at the time of application......

I dunno - Seem fair?
Very well put Scuba, I agree totally with your views

[DCCHam]

In our surrounding departments, the age to become a full member is 18, whereas ours is 19. One of the departments is a smaller department and has fewer members then we do so i can some what see where they would make them full members to have more firefighters on hand.

What do you guys think about the age being dropped to 18 intead of 19. Am i being stupid or is it a reasonable thought, keep me informed, thanks alot .
I am really interested to see what you have to tell me Shannon, and i definately appreciate your input as a deputy chief

It's dictated by our insurance provider......you'll find that these "other" departments that have JR's under the age of 19 as well as them running calls are not covered under any insurance if they get hurt. There's only one insurance provider in this area (that will insure JR FF's), so it's not a case of them being insured through a different agency.....they're just not checking their own coverage on insurance. :eek:

The other reason is that our by-laws state 19 years of age (as they have for alot of years) as the minimum, because we have the bar in our station and expect our members to work bar functions. Provincial laws won't allow anyone under the age of 19 to work at any bar function. ;)

[PEMS17]

The other reason is that our by-laws state 19 years of age (as they have for alot of years) as the minimum, because we have the bar in our station and expect our members to work bar functions. Provincial laws won't allow anyone under the age of 19 to work at any bar function. ;)

Bar in the station eh? Make mine a double vodka seven with a half dozen sourpuss shooters. And none of that fruit and vegetable in or on the glass, I don't eat what food eats!

[Scuba]

Bar in the station eh? Make mine a double vodka seven with a half dozen sourpuss shooters. And none of that fruit and vegetable in or on the glass, I don't eat what food eats!

Toss a slab of beef in his drink.

[Workingfire]

In our surrounding departments, the age to become a full member is 18, whereas ours is 19. One of the departments is a smaller department and has fewer members then we do so i can some what see where they would make them full members to have more firefighters on hand.

What do you guys think about the age being dropped to 18 intead of 19. Am i being stupid or is it a reasonable thought, keep me informed, thanks alot .
I am really interested to see what you have to tell me Shannon, and i definately appreciate your input as a deputy chief

DCCHam...do all these young fellas (except one!) kiss your a@$ in every post?

DCCham, I'd really be interested in your input too...and if your free Saturday night maybe........

Don't worry SmokeEaterhfd...you'll be 19 soon enough.

[frfghtr]

Do you mean to tell me that a Fire dept. would actually concider hiring someone that is 40 years old?

Be safe,
iamvff
We've hired them in Winnipeg.

When I got on in 79 it was 21 -25 yrs, 5'10" - 6'2" and 150lbs - 220lbs. The Charter of Rights blew that away.

Now they come in all shapes, sizes and ages.

I think their main concern was that they wanted to march around 6 guys, the same size, carrying a 50' ladder. Made it easier for buying gear too cause it was all the same size.

I remember my first set of night pants. I couldn't jump on the tailboard cause the crotch was at my knees.

[irsqyu]

I remember my first set of night pants. I couldn't jump on the tailboard cause the crotch was at my knees.[/QUOTE]
Tailboard, you must be old, I suppose you wore those pull up boots too. lol I can't say much bintheredunthat, I started in 75. Lotsa great tailbord stories, like the one fellow that got hit in the head by a seagull.

[frfghtr]

I suppose you wore those pull up boots too.


Only the officers got the hip-waders.

The kiddies say the tailboards were cool and they want to ride them. They're right. 40 frickin below cool, no real bunker gear, no bellaclava, garbage mitts, a helmet, hosekey and belt, coat and rubber boots. Maybe you'd just wear your leather boots if you knew you were going in.

Now I don't even have to call, 'front seat window'.

It was fun.

[DCharv]

It's dictated by our insurance provider......you'll find that these "other" departments that have JR's under the age of 19 as well as them running calls are not covered under any insurance if they get hurt. There's only one insurance provider in this area (that will insure JR FF's), so it's not a case of them being insured through a different agency.....they're just not checking their own coverage on insurance. :eek:

Well I hope you're not refering to us.... :)

Junior insurance ------------- check

Yup, we got it.

[ndvfd_ff33]

Just a question..Where in Nova Scotia is it 18 to become a full member..I thought it was at provincial levels that it was 19? I could be way off here..But thats what I've heard...Our dept its 19...16 To start as junior but your on a lot of restrictions

[InterviewCoach]

Age will work for you the older you are- The history of the fire service has always been hiring people that are in a career and looking to change -as a result these people brought vital skills trades, maturity, and life experience to the table and were obviously older. Today we see the evolution of the fire service requesting certificates in designated programs, NFPA 1001 - pre-service fire programs, ect. Now colleges are offering fire training and we are seeing many high school graduates taking the 2 month or year long program then applying to a fire department at 19 or 20. Is this a good thing?? Many older people with families and full-time jobs are less likely to enroll in these types of programs for obvious reasons; therefore the majority of "qualified" candidates are younger. In summary I would suggest if you are in the older category 23-45 looking for a career as a firefighter enroll in part-time studies to meet the qualifications that your department requires, this will give you an advantage over the "younger candidate".

[BCFFFV]

Age will work for you the older you are- The history of the fire service has always been hiring people that are in a career and looking to change -as a result these people brought vital skills trades, maturity, and life experience to the table and were obviously older. Today we see the evolution of the fire service requesting certificates in designated programs, NFPA 1001 - pre-service fire programs, ect. Now colleges are offering fire training and we are seeing many high school graduates taking the 2 month or year long program then applying to a fire department at 19 or 20. Is this a good thing?? Many older people with families and full-time jobs are less likely to enroll in these types of programs for obvious reasons; therefore the majority of "qualified" candidates are younger. In summary I would suggest if you are in the older category 23-45 looking for a career as a firefighter enroll in part-time studies to meet the qualifications that your department requires, this will give you an advantage over the "younger candidate".


Strongly disagree with you.....Age and experience is good up to a point. But 45 is seriously pushing it. You'd have to be someone extra special to get looked at for a new career in the fire service at 45. People can still get hired.....we can all give an example here and there but it's not realistic.

[dentedhead]

Strongly disagree with you.....Age and experience is good up to a point. But 45 is seriously pushing it. You'd have to be someone extra special to get looked at for a new career in the fire service at 45. People can still get hired.....we can all give an example here and there but it's not realistic.

I disagree with you,so there.I was hired at 40,I am betting that if I went into another recruitment I would come out a the other end with a job.

I bring a strong and varied resume I am in good shape for the amount of abuse my body has taken through sports and an EMS career.I also interview very well.Why wouldnt a dept consider me over a younger lad/lady with college and a few PT jobs.I dont think Im extra special I just think I would be a good fit.Sorry if this comes across as being cocky or big headed its not my intent.

There are others on the site who would also fit this bill IMHO.

Dentedhead

[FF30]

Hey Dented, why did you leave EMS for fire? Or maybe what I mean to say is, why didn't you leave earlier? How has it been integrating into fire especially physically.

[dentedhead]

Hey Dented, why did you leave EMS for fire? Or maybe what I mean to say is, why didn't you leave earlier? How has it been integrating into fire especially physically.


CAUSE IT SUCKED LOL.

I wanted fire my whole life I still have letters from years ago with job offers pending medical.....failed the eye test. Along came laser surgery the rest is history.

If I could have afforded it or if it was more readily available years ago I would have never looked back.

The transition has been great.The constant wear and tear on the body isnt there and if you drop sumpin there is 5 guys there to help you pick it up,without having to be asked.

In short I wish I could have done it years ago but I guess everything happens for a reason.

Dentedhead

[BCFFFV]

I disagree with you,so there.I was hired at 40,I am betting that if I went into another recruitment I would come out a the other end with a job.

I bring a strong and varied resume I am in good shape for the amount of abuse my body has taken through sports and an EMS career.I also interview very well.Why wouldnt a dept consider me over a younger lad/lady with college and a few PT jobs.I dont think Im extra special I just think I would be a good fit.Sorry if this comes across as being cocky or big headed its not my intent.

There are others on the site who would also fit this bill IMHO.

Dentedhead


In my opinion you would fit what I call "special" because of your experiences etc. I am not refering to people like you. I bet you would come out with a job also. I'm just saying that people in their forties would be in a tougher spot if they barely met the minimum requirements. I'd hate to see a 40 year old spend a ton of cash to apply then to find out he needs 4-5 years gaining relevant experience to stand a chance. It's hard enough for a 25-30 year old but they have more time to fix their inadequate areas.

[DoubleHelix]

I totally agree experience is very valuable.

But just like some young guys think because of their education the department "owes" them interviews or jobs the same goes for older people. Just because you're older with a family doesn't make you any more better for the job than a 21 year old who is single and hasnt gotten tons of experiences.

Its all about the totaly package.

[dentedhead]

In my opinion you would fit what I call "special" because of your experiences etc. I am not refering to people like you. I bet you would come out with a job also. I'm just saying that people in their forties would be in a tougher spot if they barely met the minimum requirements. I'd hate to see a 40 year old spend a ton of cash to apply then to find out he needs 4-5 years gaining relevant experience to stand a chance. It's hard enough for a 25-30 year old but they have more time to fix their inadequate areas.

Very kind of you to say.I have only ever had the term special used in my case that one time I went to the olympics.

I do know what you are saying.Its certainly a consideration and not an absolute.A 40y/o shoe salesman vs a 24y/o with all the quals its a no brainer.But the stakes get upped when its that same 24y/o up against a 40y/o with some of the min quals, decent life skills and maybe a trade or other education.

It becomes a tougher choice.

Dentedhead

[InterviewCoach]

I understand your point. When you think about it - after the age of 35 people wanting to switch careers diminishes significantly, this is why you don’t see many 40 year olds applying for the position of firefighter. The ones who do (not all but most) bring a lot of value to a fire department, oral boards know this-because the interview questions are based on life experience- a 40 year old would be able to answer questions with more depth and maturity then most 19 year olds. For example "the ability to communicate in the fire service is vital. Could you describe a situation you've experienced where a lack of communications made the situation worse? What did you do to improve the situation?” How many experiences does the 19 year old have to draw from? I am sure some 19 year olds could nail this question but I believe the chances of a 40 year old who has been working in a decent job (trade or other) would have a much better answer. Normally at the interview stage all candidates are seen as equal, this is the chance to show you are the better candidate. I work in a department that has hired firefighters in their 40’s; the years they were hired in they were the only ones in the group being interviewed that were in their 40s. (they were all hired)!Strongly disagree with you.....Age and experience is good up to a point. But 45 is seriously pushing it. You'd have to be someone extra special to get looked at for a new career in the fire service at 45. People can still get hired.....we can all give an example here and there but it's not realistic.

[BCFFFV]

Very kind of you to say.I have only ever had the term special used in my case that one time I went to the olympics.

I do know what you are saying.Its certainly a consideration and not an absolute.A 40y/o shoe salesman vs a 24y/o with all the quals its a no brainer.But the stakes get upped when its that same 24y/o up against a 40y/o with some of the min quals, decent life skills and maybe a trade or other education.

It becomes a tougher choice.

Dentedhead

Lol.....good to hear you understand what I meant.

[dentedhead]

Lol.....good to hear you understand what I meant.


I knew what you were saying,just had to put the devils horns on.


Dentedhead

[BCFFFV]

I understand your point. When you think about it - after the age of 35 people wanting to switch careers diminishes significantly, this is why you don’t see many 40 year olds applying for the position of firefighter. The ones who do (not all but most) bring a lot of value to a fire department, oral boards know this-because the interview questions are based on life experience- a 40 year old would be able to answer questions with more depth and maturity then most 19 year olds. For example "the ability to communicate in the fire service is vital. Could you describe a situation you've experienced where a lack of communications made the situation worse? What did you do to improve the situation?” How many experiences does the 19 year old have to draw from? I am sure some 19 year olds could nail this question but I believe the chances of a 40 year old who has been working in a decent job (trade or other) would have a much better answer. Normally at the interview stage all candidates are seen as equal, this is the chance to show you are the better candidate. I work in a department that has hired firefighters in their 40’s; the years they were hired in they were the only ones in the group being interviewed that were in their 40s. (they were all hired)!

I also think 19 is way too young.....seems the average age in my parts is about 27. I was hired in my early thirties and was starting to get worried I would be discriminated against because of my age if I wasn't hired soon. It all depends on the dept. you apply to.

[InterviewCoach]

True interview boards all vary- My point is that all things being equal the older you are the better chances you have at being hired. Having said that we see very few people in thier 40s at the interview stage.
I also think 19 is way too young.....seems the average age in my parts is about 27. I was hired in my early thirties and was starting to get worried I would be discriminated against because of my age if I wasn't hired soon. It all depends on the dept. you apply to.

[ABFF37]

19 may be a little bit on the young side, but it does depend a lot on the individual candidate. I wasn't too much older than that when I got hired (although I was older LOL) and I have had no problems. I wasn't ranked last in my recruit class, far from it in fact. If being in my early 20's was too young then why did I outrank older classmates? Similarly, why were the four higher ranked recruits in my class older than me? Not to mention that I made it through the same applications, apptitude exams, interviews, physicals and so on...which also weeded out people that were older AND younger than me. This is why I don't really buy into the age bias, whether it is applied towards young candidates or older ones.

I think the bottom line is to look at the title of this thread; "Perfect Age". There is no perfect age, only a perfect candidate. It is the responsibility of the recruit process and the recruit officers to find this perfect candidate, weather he or she is a 19 year old kid with a bunch of experience and relevant skills, or a 40 year old that brings the same.

People live such different lives that age is a very unique variable. If a 17 year old kid decides that being a firefighter is his absolute dream, and spends 5 years studying, volunteering, working, and training to become a firefighter is he any less of a candidate at 22 than the guy that had the same epiphany at 35 and is now 40?

AB:)

[kriand]

Do you mean to tell me that a Fire dept. would actually concider hiring someone that is 40 years old?

Be safe,
iamvff

Do you mean to tell me that a Fire Dept would actually KEEP someone ON after they TURNED 40???
If they can still do the job at 40 then what's the difference between hiring a 40 Y/O

I was 36, and had a 43 Y/O in my class.Some of the other classes had Guys and girls in their 40's.

It's about alot more than just age.

[Shane54]

this thread has been a real eye opener for me.... I had a preconceived notion that only younger guys were going to get in. I am panicking and im 23. ? it seems like everyone and there mother wants to fight fires there days. But on the other hand I just want to do it cause the chicks dig it.......

[DCCHam]

Well I hope you're not refering to us.... :)

Junior insurance ------------- check

Yup, we got it.

I wasn't singling out any one department. We had our lawyers look into it, and they were the one's to tell us that JR's (in our dept) aren't covered for anything other than training and observing. We always allowed them to attend calls (except medical and MVC's) for years before this was looked into further.

[DCharv]

I wasn't singling out any one department. We had our lawyers look into it, and they were the one's to tell us that JR's (in our dept) aren't covered for anything other than training and observing. We always allowed them to attend calls (except medical and MVC's) for years before this was looked into further.

Do you know what company you guys have your Juniors insured with? I was pretty sure our policy states they are covered during any fire dept. duty or function. I'll have to get them to look into this if that's what your department found out.

[iamvff]

Do you mean to tell me that a Fire Dept would actually KEEP someone ON after they TURNED 40???
If they can still do the job at 40 then what's the difference between hiring a 40 Y/O

I was 36, and had a 43 Y/O in my class.Some of the other classes had Guys and girls in their 40's.

It's about alot more than just age.
You took that wrong kriand...That was a 40 year old asking in disbelief. At 27, when I joined the VFD, I new right away that this was the path I should have taken. Moving to a rural community in 89' I didn't even know that Volunteer FD's existed. I also did not look in to career at 27, because I truely thought it was to late in life to get in. When i posted that..I was in disbelief to find out that 27 was prime, and 40 is still acceptable. With that being said, I feel I would stand a great chance with the cridentials I have....BUT...family has to come first and my family is pretty content right where they are! Oh well....maybe next life!! :)


iamvff

[Scuba]

But on the other hand I just want to do it cause the chicks dig it.......

Gawd and I thought you wanted in just because ya get a flashing green light...

[InterviewCoach]

This is my point- age and maturity at the interview table means a lot!! (I hope that last comment was a joke)
this thread has been a real eye opener for me.... I had a preconceived notion that only younger guys were going to get in. I am panicking and im 23. ? it seems like everyone and there mother wants to fight fires there days. But on the other hand I just want to do it cause the chicks dig it.......

[Scuba]

So does being seasoned in perception.... ;)
Of course it was a joke....

This is my point- age and maturity at the interview table means a lot!! (I hope that last comment was a joke)

[DCharv]

Gawd and I thought you wanted in just because ya get a flashing green light...

shhhhhh.. you'll get yourself in trouble for mentioning that won't you? lol

[InterviewCoach]

May appear obvious to you that it was a joke, however I had someone in their answer to why do you want to be a firefighter say because the girls like it-(this was part of the answer)and he was being serious!
So does being seasoned in perception.... ;)
Of course it was a joke....

[iamvff]

I've been on some courses with some young fellers that I am positive that this is the only reason they were wanting to be a FF! :confused:

iamvff