i am having a dilemma i am currently in fire science classes to get my degree but i dont know the job outlook of the position of firefighter i also have welding credits i dont know what i should do i love firefighting with all my heart and i eat sleep and breathe the job i just dont want to put everything i have into it and never get a position. now i do know that several factors can eliminate me from becoming a firefighter what i am asking is what is the career outlook on fire departments hiring is it increasing, is it going nowhere or is it steady? any direction, personal opinions, will help please repost if you can answer my question. i know that nothing worth having is easy attaining but i just need some advice.

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Be open to moving to a new location. Look at the top FFN links - there is an entire page of people hiring FFs.

The more you are willing to work on a smaller department in the middle of nowhere the faster you will get on a paid department.

And the more you volunteer and the more you study and build your resume the more martketable you are. Also take classes like fire investigation, since some of those jobs may be entry points for you. Also look at additional administrative type support jobs with departments as well, like EMS Coordinator or any other jobs that may be affiliated with the fire service, that helps build your resume as well and gets your foot in the door.

There is also a theory about multiple streams (sources) of income - instead of putting all of your eggs in one basket or all of your focus on one department and one job - the more you broaden your horizon the more you will see opportunities that are close to your interest or exactly your interest just in another State or town.

Good Luck - if you want it bad enough and keep moving forward with a positive attitude, then you have every chance of achieving success.
thanks for the advice it means alot
thank you for the words of encouragement
I would say it is steady.

Like Lady said...you have to be willing to move if needed.

The single most effective way of increasing your chances of getting hired is putting in more applications. I remember when I got hired. I had a file cabinet drawer set aside solely for applications. I was living in Richmond, VA and was applying (or planning on applying) in VA, MD, NC, SC, TN, and GA. I ended up getting hired in a department I knew nothing about. It is an urban department 2.5 hours from where I lived. I packed up and moved. I love it now!

If I hadn't, I would have stayed working and started the process over.

I know of guys who wait 10 years to work at the department of their choice all the while working at other departments.
thank you for the advice. stay safe out there.
good luck my brother !

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