Where can I find help to get in shape?
We recommend your local Crossfit gym – this is the closest you will get to experiencing the demands of being on a fire ground – flexibility training, strength conditioning, followed by 15-30 minutes of grinding, physical labor. Other physical fitness considerations should be any yoga studio with hot yoga sessions (this closely mimics the feeling of being in uncomfortable gear and conditions as a Firefighter). The normal avenues should be given consideration as well: 24 Hour Fitness, LA Fitness, or a local Triathlon club. Please visit our Resources page for more information.
What would be a good, simple exercise I could do to build full body strength?
Pullups. Incorporates arms, shoulders, back, abs, and all the smaller balancing muscles as well. The other thing about pullups is that get easier as you lose weight – clear incentive for trimming down.
For more on this topic view our video blog here.
What is the difference between Fire Science and Fire Technology?
This is essentially the different title given to the academic training available at different community colleges – you will find the programs, and the classes – to be very similar.
What does the Firefighter I Academy consist of?
There are two ways of looking at what a Basic Fire Academy entails:
- The certifications you’ll earn: ICS 100 & 200, HazMat First Responder and WMD, Trench Rescue, Swiftwater Awareness, Auto Extrication, Confined Space Rescue and Wildland S-190
- and the general training you’ll receive: you will learn about PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), Ropes & Knots, Ladders, Forcible Entry and associated tools, Building Construction, Fire Hose & associated Nozzles and Fittings, Truck Operations, Fire Behavior & Extinguishment, Fire Prevention and Wildland Firefighting.
This is considered a “Basic Fire Academy” and it can be 12-16 weeks in length, depending on the organization that hosts the training (private, community college or fire department).
What are the prerequisites for the Firefighter I Academy?
Typically, a CPR and EMT certificate, valid California driver’s license are the minimum requirements. If you earn your FFI through a fire department training program, there may be additional requirements in order for you to gain employment within that fire agency before taking part in the FFI training. If you attend a community college FFI Academy, such as Palomar College, they may have additional college-level educational requirements as well. Please see Firefighter Info for more details on local fire academy prerequisites.
What is an interest card?
Many times a city or municipality will not have an opening for the job you seek, but the Human Resources department will have you fill-out an “interest card”. This will typically ask for basic information such as your name, address, phone number and/or email. Once a job opening is created, the city or municipality will mail you a notice of the job opening, based on your interest card.
What is a seasonal Firefighter?
This is typically a term that is associated with CAL FIRE – it’s also known as a “Firefighter I”. CAL FIRE hires seasonal Firefighters each winter, by opening up the application period from late November to late January. Each seasonal Firefighter that is hired will work from their respective hire date until October of the next year.
Why are some Fire engines different colors?
This question has deep cultural roots within each department, and is a question best answered by those departments individually.
Why do some people call them trucks vs. engines? What is the difference?
Not only do some people call an apparatus a Truck or an Engine – that is the correct terminology for two different types of apparatus. Other slang terms you may hear include “Ladder” when describing a Truck, and “Pump” when describing an Engine.
Simply put, the difference is this: Engines are designed to hold a large tank of water, and different types of hose and nozzles – they are used to extinguish fires. Trucks are outfitted with various-sized ladders & forcible entry equipment, and do not have any hose or water onboard. A trucks primary role at a fire is to provide for ventilation – a way for the smoke and super-heated gases to escape a structure safely.
What is the schedule like?
The schedule will change from department to department – most will use some form of the “Kelly” schedule – which means that they work 24 shifts and will have time-off in 24-hour blocks as well.
What are the opportunities like for promotions?
Once hired by a fire agency, the opportunities for promotion typically relate to people retiring in the higher ranks of the organization. As people retire, an organization will select employees from below to fill their spots – this is when promotions occur. If a fire department hired a number of people together years ago (3-5 people at a time), they may see them all retire at nearly the same time as well – which would mean more opportunity for promotions. These types of questions are usually answered by looking at a department’s size and their potential for growth.
Why are Fire hydrants different colors?
Although this is typically a practice of fire agencies to the east of San Diego County and elsewhere in the country, different colors on a fire hydrant mean that there are different water pressures at that location. Yellow hydrants will have one select water pressure, red hydrants another, blue hydrants yet another, and so on.
Will I be assigned to one specific job, for will I be moving around?
When hired as a Firefighter you will be hired to fill a job with a specific job description, and while this is typically very broad in nature, there are a number to things that you’ll be expected to do no matter where or when you are hired. During your probationary year of employment (your first year) – there is a high likelihood that you’ll be moving around from station to station, and from crew to crew. However, your job description will not change – you’ll still be expected to perform the basic tasks of a Firefighter.
What kind of gear will I need for a ride-along?
There is a combination of clothes and shoes you’ll probably want to wear – plain, dark blue pants, some type of polo or collared shirt & steel toe boots (if possible). For a more detailed look at what to wear (and how to act), check out our page “Ride Along Etiquette“. For other gear, pack a backpack with workout clothes and tennis shoes, a sack lunch, some energy bars, a book from which to study and some cash in case the crew steps out for coffee or a snack.
Check out a video blog on this topic here.
What kind of eating habits will help me become a FirefighterMedic?
This quote captures a good way of looking at things in general, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper”. If you can, in addition to eating healthy foods, take a hard look at your meal sizes as well. A big healthy breakfast, a moderate lunch and a small dinner allows you to burn calories in an efficient manner throughout the day.
For more info, check out a video blog on this topic here.
What is the difference between CPR cards? Does it matter which one I get?
There is and can be a BIG difference between CPR cards! There are generally 2 different types of CPR cards you’ll be asked to submit as a prerequisite to enroll in EMT class – either the “BLS for Healthcare Providers” card, issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), or the “Professional Rescuer”, issued by the American Red Cross. There are many different companies that you can find online that promise CPR training, but in the end will not help you meet the minimum requirement to enroll in EMT class. This is largely because you MUST attend a physical skills evaluation in order for you to earn the 2 cards mentioned above – in the absence of that, you may be paying for a card that ultimately does not help you meet your goals.
Check out our video blog on this topic here.
What does it mean when someone asks me to prepare the coffee, newspaper, and/or flags?
Most Fire/EMS Stations will have a daily routine that you may be asked to do or participate in when visiting. The most common tasks are making coffee, bringing in the newspaper, and raising or lowering the flags.
Check out our video blog on this topic here.
Why is it important to keep track of my career journey and ride-alongs?
If you can start a journal of sorts early, when you are in your first year of your career journey, it will help you immensely. Reasons for doing this: first, it’ll be pretty cool to look back on your first experiences when you’re old and grey! The more important reasons you’ll want to do this include writing down the questions (and subsequent answers) that you uncover through your journey. By documenting the calls you go on as a ride-along, you can reflect on those and potentially use those experiences as a reference point during future job interviews.
Check out our video blog on this topic here.
What is the appropriate blend of diet vs. strength training vs. cardio work for a FirefighterMedic?
The general recommendation to help you get into appropriate shape for the Fire or EMS service is to consider that diet may be up to 70% of the equation, strength training about 20%, strict cardio 10%. This is based on experience working with personal trainers and working on the job – and while obvious a very broad brushstroke view of things – gives you a platform to start from.
To learn more about this approach, watch our video blog here.
