Am I too old to get started?

I'm sure everyone here more than likely grew up wanting to be a firefighter. Like most of you, that was my dream as well. As the years came and went, I decided that I wanted to be an accountant. After 11 years of that, I want to jump out of this window beside me.

I am very interested to joining my local FD. I am 33, 6'5" and 258 lbs. I need to work on my stamina, but other than that, I'm in decent shape. Am I too old to get started?

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Chad Furr on February 18, 2009 at 7:53pm
Hell NO I am about to turn 38 and just joined. If you have the willingness to do what it takes then go for it. Yeah we may not be as quick or as limber as the younger ppl. But we can bring wisdom from life to the dept. Good Luck my freind.
Permalink Reply by Chris Harris on February 18, 2009 at 8:02pm
I'm 39 and been doing this for 22 years, the need for volunteers has always been a topic around any station or community, how to get people to join and how to retain them. The training hours are long but don't let that deter you, the sense of accomplishment in the end is very rewarding.....Oh and by the way don't jump!
Permalink Reply by Alex on February 18, 2009 at 8:05pm
Yeah Go For it!! and like most of the other guys said try getting started with a local volunteer FD so you can get training/knowledge for when you might want to goto fire school and go professional.The local Paid Department in wayne county doesnt have a age restriction so might want to look into what your areas department has to offer
Permalink Reply by Larry Greenberg on February 19, 2009 at 7:47am
No way you're too old.

I started when I was 38. During my first two years I went through Fire I and BVR/VRT and was named Firefighter of the Year by my company.

Go for it.
Permalink Reply by Kimberly A Bownas on February 19, 2009 at 8:05am
Lou, you are not to old as far as I am concerned. 33 is not old and being in decent shape helps. Good luck and stay safe....
Permalink Reply by FIRE BEAR on February 19, 2009 at 8:35am
go for it live your dream while you still can but like they said join a vol dept. depends on what state your in for the hireing age i found most of them are 35-36 years of age for career and if you want it bad enough youll do it
Permalink Reply by probie_lou_ky on February 19, 2009 at 10:11am
Thanks for the response Kali,

Trust me, I do realize we are in a recession. Every time I look at my retirement account, I realize my future probably involves being a Wal-Mart greeter. Not that there is anything wrong with that. :)

I am very blessed to have a well paying job in this economy. In a couple of years, my wife will be finished with her nurse practitioner degree. At that point, my hope is to quit this job and become a paramedic/fire fighter. I don't expect to make anywhere close to what I make now. I'm really not worried about accumulating wealth anymore. As long as we can provide for our family, that is what it is all about. I just have a passion to get out there and help people in their time of need.

I was only curious about the likelyhood of becoming staff after a few years of volunteering. Sorry I wasn't more clear in my previous posts. I would never try to take someone's job that had been cut in the past. My initial thought was if some guys and gals decided to retire, would I be considered for the opening or would they cut the position. Obviously, veterans should be considered before me.

Thanks for all the feedback guys and gals.
Permalink Reply by andrew shapiro on February 19, 2009 at 11:21am
To your advantage, some paid departments actually like older "beginners". They figure you have a shorter life expectancy after retirement so they pay less in benefits, etc.
Just make sure you get in shape!
Permalink Reply by probie_lou_ky on February 19, 2009 at 3:00pm
No self-confidence issues at all. I just know that there are lots of people the start the fire service right after high school graduation. I was wondering if the departments would consider me.
Permalink Reply by Bob on February 19, 2009 at 5:01pm
I was 38 when I joined my volunteer dept.
Permalink Reply by Denise Co 29 on February 20, 2009 at 12:29am
I got started at the age of 38. I will be 40 in May and I love it. I say GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!

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