What's the oldest age to become a firefighter?

Upper Age Limit: 31 years old or younger as of the original examination date. However, if you are a qualified veteran either still in or released from the military, you may add up to a maximum of four years of service time to your age but must have not yet reached your 36th birthday as of the date of the exam.
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Is 40 too old to be a firefighter?

You can become a professional firefighter after 30, 40, or even 50 at some fire departments. There are departments that have upper age limits between 28 and 40, while others have no upper age requirements for firefighters. There are usually no upper age limits to be a volunteer firefighter.
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What is the oldest age to be a firefighter?

The age limit to become a firefighter is usually between 18 and 35. However, many departments have no upper age limit to apply. Read on to learn more about the age restrictions on becoming a firefighter. Just because you are over 35, that doesn't necessarily rule you out from becoming a firefighter.
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What is the age cutoff for FDNY?

You can start thinking about becoming an FDNY Firefighter as early as 17 1/2 years of age. You should not reach your 29th birthday by the beginning of the application process.
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How much do firemen make?

How much do firefighters get paid? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average firefighter makes about $50,850 annually or $24.45 per hour.
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Firefighting - How Old Is Too Old?



How much do firefighters make in NY per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2022, the average annual pay for a Firefighter in New York City is $52,097 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $25.05 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,002/week or $4,341/month.
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How hard is it to get into the fire service?

Being a firefighter is not easy and neither is the process of becoming a firefighter. Competition is fierce and the hiring process can be very grueling and challenging, something many people do not endure or succeed at. More than 70% give up the pursuit of becoming a firefighter and move on to other career choices.
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Do firefighters live shorter lives?

Firefighters have shorter life expectancies than the average population and are three times more likely to die on the job, partly due to inherent risks, physical and mental stresses, and exposures to toxic and carcinogenic compounds released in smoke (source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, University of Cincinnati).
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Is being a firefighter worth it?

Firefighting is an incredibly rewarding job that's truly worth it if you're willing to put in the time and effort. Though you will have to give up some much-valued time with your friends and family and put yourself at risk in dangerous situations, being a firefighter has plenty of benefits.
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How long does it take to become a firefighter?

Typically four to six months (fire academy or other similar training). A few weeks to one year, depending on the specific certificate program. Two years full-time. Part-time programs are often available.
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How long is firefighter training?

Typically, recruits train for about 16 weeks in firefighting and rescue techniques drills, breathing apparatus, hazardous chemicals and pumping operations.
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What do firefighters do when they get older?

Many states require older adults to renew their driver's licenses more frequently. And this may be a good model for firefighting activities, be they apparatus driving or interior attack.
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What is the hardest part of being a firefighter?

Every firefighter holds a few secrets that they typically keep to themselves.
  • The weight of responsibility that we bear is crushing. ...
  • We are not born with the knowledge necessary to be good firefighters. ...
  • Fear of failure is the greatest unspoken fear that every firefighter carries with them.
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How do you know if firefighting is right for you?

The best firefighters are those who have the ability to maintain their composure while, multi-tasking and thinking on their feet in the face of life and death emergencies. They must be able to organize a great deal of information in a short period of time under extreme mental, physical and psychological conditions.
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Does being a firefighter require math?

Firefighters need to use mental math when choosing how to attack a fire safely and avoid damaging the integrity of a building. Our degree program also trains firefighters to use a method called the Fire Flow Formula to determine how much water they will require to suppress a fire.
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Why do firefighters retire so early?

health insurance

The fire service requires a high level of physical exertion and takes a serious toll on a worker's physical abilities. As a result, many employers require fire fighters to retire as early as age 50, leaving workers burdened with securing expensive health insurance.
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What is the number one killer of firefighters?

(WSAW) - Seventy-Five percent of firefighters added to the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial died from cancer associated with the job from 2015 to 2020. According to the CDC, cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters.
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How much extra weight does a firefighter carry?

The average set of turnout gear weighs as much as 45 pounds. This includes; helmets, gloves, hoods, boots, coats, and pants. Tack on other equipment like radios, lights, irons, and that weight can easily be doubled.
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What grades do you need for a firefighter?

Qualifications. You don't need any particular qualifications to become a firefighter, however you'll be expected to pass English and Maths tests at a GCSE Grade C level (or equivalent).
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What do firefighters do all day?

Firefighters sweep, mop, throw out the trash, dust, wash linens and windows, and clean the fire trucks. We also take care of small maintenance issues such as painting. Public Outreach – Firefighters often provide station tours for the public or speak at special events.
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How often does the fire service recruit?

Most fire services take on new recruits once every 12 months, so you'll need to find out when they are recruiting next.
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What is the highest paid firefighter?

#1.

The average salary for firefighters in New Jersey is $89,350: In comparison to other states in the US, firefighters in New Jersey are the highest paid. Fire inspectors and investigators have a higher percentage of high-paying positions among firefighters in New Jersey.
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How many hours do Firefighters work?

Full-time Firefighters work an average 42 hours per week and depending on their role and station posting they will work one of the following shift patterns: Shift Duty System – 2 days (9am - 6pm), 2 nights (6pm – 9am) followed by 4 periods of 24 hours off.
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What is it like to date a firefighter?

Dating a firefighter is mostly the same as dating anyone else. However, the work schedule, high stress, and potential for injuries and exposures can add some different types of challenges to a relationship. So, to be happy dating a firefighter means understanding those constraints and accepting them.
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