Am I Too Young to Get Hired as a Firefighter?

Am I too young to get hired as a Firefighter?

The majority of departments across the country require a candidate to be 21 years of age. 

Some larger municipalities only require that you be 18 years of age with a high school diploma.  However, most small and mid-level departments require individuals to have their EMT, Paramedic and/or Certified Firefighter certificate before being hired.  Those certifications require an approximate 2-year time commitment, depending on class availability.

There are high schools who allow students to also attend college while completing their high school degree requirements.  If that is allowed in your district, you could see if you could take your Emergency Medical Technician course to complete that requirement.  Then you could complete the other necessary certifications in a shorter timeframe.

Being younger does not take you out of the ballgame.  Many chiefs view an individual who starts working towards his certifications right out of high school very positively, knowing that they are serious about becoming a firefighter.

There are other certifications, such as HazMat, rope rescue, advanced paramedic, as well as classes that you can complete at your local community college while pursuing the application and testing process to be hired.  These will only enhance your application and increase your chances of being hired.

Make sure your resume is current with any new certifications you obtain – read our blog HERE for help with your resume.

You can also start working on your oral interview skills.  This is an area that can separate you from other candidates.  Showing a maturity level above your actual age will not be lost on the chiefs who are interviewing you.

If you are new to the firefighting hiring process, we have numerous information available on our How to Become a Firefighter blog – click here.

Bottom line – don’t give up your dream because you think you are too young to be hired – it happens and it happens a lot.