[jcleary]

Hello,
I am interested in finding out information on how the hierarchy in the firehouse goes. I was in the military for 6 years and they have the blue shirts (enlisted) and the officers (guys with degrees who get 2 to 3 times more money). I am curious as to how this works in the firehouse and how you advance. Does getting a B.S. in Fire Science really help? I am currently getting mine through Columbia Southern University and am looking to try out for the department in the next year or two. I am 23 years old, married with two young children, 6 years military experience, with 2 of those years having shipboard firefighting experience. However I am a little on the hefty side, being 5' 7" and 185 pounds.

This is why I am waiting a few years and getting my degree first. I want to loose a few pounds and gain some muscle. I am working with a personal trainer at Golds Gym three times a week to get my body back into pre pregnancy shape.

My second question is do the departments that you work for have weight limits, I know that all are different and my book on the Firefighting Exam says that the max for my height would be 167lbs. When I was 17, straight out of bootcamp I weighed 173lbs. The smallest I have ever been.

God didn't give me an hour glass figure, he gave me a 24 hour glass figure.

I am for the most part physically fit, except for some extra weight from pregnancy, but apart from that, I used to work with ammo so lifting heavy things is not a problem. I also did firefighting with OBA's instead of SCBA's so that really isn't a problem either. SCBA's will be a welcoming change! I hope that this isn't to much information. Everytime someone asks me what I want to do with my life, I usually get laughed at, I figured this would be the last place that would do that.
Thank you so much for your advice and answers in advance.
Jenn

[Marley]

Jenn,

There was a time when fire departments required recruits to fit within a height range, a weight range, with 20/20 vision and with all teeth. Those days are gone.

Don't worry about the number on the scale. Worry about passing the physical ability test. You know that you need muscle, and muscle is heavy.

I'm sure that my mother looks at me and wonders where I came from. She's so tiny and feminine. I have arms like her thighs. But I could pick her up and carry her out of her house, with one of the (large) dogs in my free arm.

Once you've been on the job for a while you'll have the opportunity to test for promotion. I haven't done this, but people who have tell me it involves a lot of memorization of "suggested" reading and not a lot of real-world knowledge. The rumor mill also says that it helps to know the chief's secretary really well. Your mileage may vary.

From what I've seen, ex-military from the same branch seem to stick together pretty tightly, and there's some good-natured joking between guys from different branches. I suspect your experience will be an advantage.

One thing to consider before deciding to put a career off: many departments have age restrictions. If you wait for two years and start trying at 25, if you don't get on the job right away you might start bumping up against those age restrictions. I may be wrong, but I think FDNY says no older than 28. Check with your local departments to be sure. It also may be a long time before the department you want hires again.
_________________
Marley
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Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it up. --Henry Ford

[firething]

Jenn,

The hiring process is often so long that you will have plenty of time to continue getting in shape. I'd keep working on the degree, but also start testing for departments you are interested in. I think potential employers will be more impressed by your military background and dedication to fitness than by a college degree. I haven't heard of any places with weight requirements, though there are some that still have eyesight requirements. I didn't realize this was legal until a friend of mind got turned down for it and I did some research.

[jcleary]

I thought that I had posted a reply two days ago, but I guess that I did something wrong. Anyway, my reply basically said thank you for all your advice and knowledge. I have decided to wait only a year, instead of two to apply. This way I will still be younger and still be able to have a majority of my classes done, I will have an Associates by then, and I should have lost some weight, gained muscle and improved my cardiovascular abilities. Talked with my husband about it, he wants me to wait three years, he retires from the military in three years, so that he can be Mr. Mom and I can go to work. After discussing with him the number situation, I would be over 27 finishing my probationary period if not older, and I both of the kids would be in school anyway. So he reluctantly agreed that 1 year was feasable. I just want to say thank you guys again, for your help, it is truly an inspiration to see other females in this line of work, and to the older ladies, thank you for helping to pave the way for us just starting out. Keep up the good work and I will try my damnest to do the same!

Jenn

[fyrtygrr1]

Hey don't worry too much about age issues, especially if you are doing civil service testing. They can set mandates, but in reality most civil service tested jobs give you until you are 35. Worry more about your physical abilities and learning your fireground tactics. I understand wanting your degree, I am working on my associates still (two classes to go..). Our department pays for our fire sevice classes and books, and this could be an option available.
I went through my fire acadamy at age 35, tested and got hired one month and one week before I turned 36. Granted, I busted my rear end to graduate top of my class and score well on the hiring test. I had to keep that up my rookie year. Even now I face a lot of "she's too old to do this job well..." even though there are dozens of line hosemen older than me. I mostly face the she's too small (5'6" and 165 lbs), or she's too weak (based on the fact I am female).
As far as promotions based on education, most of the departments use time on the department and tests over recommended material. They issue seniority points here, so every year on the job earns you points. We have a "graduated promotion" meaning you have to have x amount of years in your current position to qualify you to take the test for the next higher level. Degree or no degree, all are treated equally for the tests. Check into the departments you are interested in going to work for. Find out age range for hire, whether or not they send you to an acadamy, educational points, civil service testing, military points(this could help in getting the job!), and physical requirements- for hiring and fitness for continued duty.
In all things, chase the dream as if tomorrow doesn't exist, because after all is said and done, now is really all we have.
_________________
Tygrr out