Question (Becoming a volenteer)

[Jon1]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if applying to become a volenteer firefighter at the age of 18 maybe to young. I have one more semester left of highschool, then it is off to Seneca for thier three or two year program and pre service. If i apply at 18 and put on the resume that im currently taking a course at Seneca, will my chances be any good? Thanks.

[DoubleHelix]

It depends on how many applicants they get and how many positions they have. I know a guy who got on with Nobleton at 19 but he had every DART course, DZ, Lifegaurd, Pre-Service, First aid/CPR instructor, bronze cross, bronze medalion and tons of other stuff.

Then another guy from my class applied with just pre service and didnt even get an interview.

It's not really easy to say but my bet would be no. How far away from the station do you live?

[Jon1]

Thanks for the response, doublehelix!! As to your question the fire station closest to me is about a minute drive away. It's down the street. I can see why 18 maybe to young. It will probebly be an asset or even requirerment to have a DZ, CPR/Basic Rescuer, ect. Thanks for the help. The fire station has a non-emergency number, i may call. Are you by any chance a firefighter?

[DoubleHelix]

Nope. I graduated from Pre-Service in December and am just really interested in getting on.

I started my pursuit in March when my Pre-Service class started and since then my resume has blown up. I'm only 20 years old so im still too young for lots of departments to take me seriously but im just plugging along taking courses with every spare money I have. I live in Aurora so there's alot of surrounding volunteer stations but im not in the response time of any of them so unless I want to move its not going to happen for me right now.

Good luck. Where is the East Gwillumbury station by the way?

[Jon1]

Theres acually three EG stations. The closest for me is Holland Landing. It's located on 19314 Yonge St. Where did you take the pre-service course? How did you like it?

[wilderness]

Depends if you are a mature 18 or like myself full of piss and vinger and not a worrie in the world..... And was more interested in haveing fun when i should have been practising my ass off for the department....... so after a few years i left and then reaplied here around 1998....and haven't looked back since....so if you feel you can devote your time between friends, school and the department.... go for it...... often a young man intention is good only then he finds its not what he wants........ make sure your not taking someone else place that might want the postion more then yourself....if this is a wimm don't do it..... if this is a passion have at it...... and welcome to the "BROTHER HOOD"......

[DoubleHelix]

I took it at Humber. They probaly have the best name around departments and they have lots of partnerships so theres lots of places you can do your placement at. They are very military like and taught us alot of respect and stuff. It didn't sink in with everybody but I think alot of the stuff they do there is very respectful and a nice touch. Like standing when someone comes in the classroom the first time of the day like our captains.

I can honeslty say my placement with toronto was probaly the best month of my life. The course gave me a taste of what its like and our live burns showed what it takes forsure and if you're cut out to be one.

If you're not prepared to wake up at 3am alot of nights and go out in the cold to a car accident then I wouldn't apply for a volunteer but definetly check it out and see what its like.

[TomC]

one piece of advise...and please dont take this the wrong way as Im certainly not perfect, make sure you spell check your cover letter and application carefully. If you hand in an application with a ton of spelling mistakes the chief will use it to start the fire at his next training exercise. Make sure you at least spell volunteer right. just a helpfull pointer and good luck !

[Jon1]

Tom C, no problem. Thanks for the tip. I guess im in such a rush to type stuff, those things slip my mind. Hey, no hard feelings, im glad you accually told me. Im open to selective criticism. When i did a co-op program at my high school (grade 12) that's the first thing my teacher told me. He said never hand anything in with spelling or gramatical mistakes. Thanks for the pointer!!!

[Fireknight]

Originally posted by TomC
one piece of advise...and please dont take this the wrong way as Im certainly not perfect, make sure you spell check your cover letter and application carefully. If you hand in an application with a ton of spelling mistakes the chief will use it to start the fire at his next training exercise. Make sure you at least spell volunteer right. just a helpfull pointer and good luck !

Very tactfully put TomC...Good for you...:D

[FMB7207]

Originally posted by TomC
one piece of advise...and please dont take this the wrong way as Im certainly not perfect, make sure you spell check your cover letter and application carefully. If you hand in an application with a ton of spelling mistakes the chief will use it to start the fire at his next training exercise. Make sure you at least spell volunteer right. just a helpfull pointer and good luck !

ADVICE... don't....I'm...Just...helpful...

[Scuba]

heh

Are you RD's Alter ego?

[FireEMTGuy]

It's a RD Mini Me! Ahh!

[Toxic]

Originally posted by Jon1
then it is off to Seneca for thier three or two year program and pre service

Does this mean that in a few months you won't be around the hall for 2 or 3 years? This could work against you. Some departments shy away from hiring guys if they know that they won't be around for long. We had a young guy at my old department who joined, hardly made any drill nights, got his level 1 and EMR within a few months and then moved away to take a job out of the area. My chief was not too happy about that one...

[Jon1]

No, no. I'm in my last year of high school (thank god!!) I would be doing those courses this fall.