What is the best route too go?

[TroyBennett]

Hey guys just gonna finish graduating from highschool hopefully soon, want too become a firefighter. What is the best route too go? The steps etc etc etc... Let me know, thanks! I have endless amount of questions, lol....

[dentedhead]

Hey guys just gonna finish graduating from highschool hopefully soon, want too become a firefighter. What is the best route too go? The steps etc etc etc... Let me know, thanks! I have endless amount of questions, lol....

Since you just got out of school you may want to consider an apprenticeship.Work for a while get your ticket earn some cash.Then consider applying to fire college.Your young enough you can pretty much do all of the above.

Dentedhead

[FFPez]

As DH said, I'd get some work experience first. Get a trade, plumber, electrician, etc.

Then look at a pre-service program, since that's the way the OFM is going.

good-luck

[Firefighter1680]

All good routes, I went straight to college , it can be done.. I had a couple years work experience before i got first job, but nto the same road works for everyone.. Fire college is the best route though..

[smoke286]

It would be good to know if you are suited for this career first. Where abouts do you live? You could join a Volunteer Dept, or you could aproach your local Career Dept about getting some ride alongs. Sort of give you an idea before you expend any money for courses and the like.

[ABFF37]

A trade ticket is definately a great way to go, as is the volunteer firefighting idea. It's important as Smoke has said to get out there and see what the job is all about. Contact your local department, see if they can put you in touch with someone in public information that could arrange for you to speak with a firefighter, ask questions, maybe even set up a ride along.

You're young, and you're starting to look at you options which is excellent. I was very young when I was hired, and I attribute it to the fact that I was continually building my portfolio over a period of time. Post secondary education, work experience, volunteer and community involvement, and relevant fire/safety courses were my life for several years. You can never have too much in your portfolio, or too broad of a background...really it's the more the merrier. I would also say read the info on this board as much as you can, there is a lot of excellent advice as well as people who will pass along whatever guidance they can.

Good luck with it all, it can be a long and stressful road, but it is all worth it in the end :)

AB

[TroyBennett]

Well see, I dropped out of highschool in about grade 10, back in school right now getting my grade 12..... so I was out in the work force for almost 3 years, first I was driving all around the gta delivering windows... then i got a job installing stairs, I know shit loads of contruction, etc etc... I know the city well... lol that is why I want too go back too school, and do a job that I know I will love doing.... I dont care about the $$, I just want a job that I can wake up too and not be in a shitty mood cause I got too go to work, I love helping people. I still have a year or 2 before college, so I just want too know before I go, how too do it the best way. I am going too contact the local fire dpt., I live in a small town in bradford Ontario, see if I can do a ride along or something, what do I get too go in the ride along? what is the average cost and time before u get in? I am very serious about becoming a fire fighter, I know its a hard road very competitive. I am a bigger guy, but I know that strength is not everything in this field, im going too work up my cardio etc etc.... I just want too prepare myself for college that way when I get in, I can be one step ahead then alot of the others. Thanks, o and btw, everyday I am now on this forums, reading every new topic, looking at every pic.... I am doing my studying.... but the best people too ask are the guys, that do it everyday! Let me know boys. Take care.

[TroyBennett]

I just contacted the local fire dpt, they do not do ride alongs, or volunteer work, all the do is the co-op placement from the pre-service program for georgian college... Any other Ideas?

[dentedhead]

I just contacted the local fire dpt, they do not do ride alongs, or volunteer work, all the do is the co-op placement from the pre-service program for georgian college... Any other Ideas?


I thought Bradford was vollie.When did they go FT?

Dentedhead

[TroyBennett]

Thats what I thought too? But they said that all their time is taking up by the co op students, from georgian... ill keep looking around, my aunt is a dispatcher and either the markham fire dpt, or stouffile. Im not too sure, I dont care where it is really as long as its close by.

[FFWannabe]

man, all I can say is that avatar is frightening...

Sue :eek:

[TroyBennett]

LOL! come on its not that bad...

[FFWannabe]

It's actually mesmorizing, I can't stop looking at it... hahaha... it's cracking me up!!

Sue :)