Ask a Firefighter anything

490 Questions

Last Answer on June 29, 2022

I'm looking to be a firefighter but I am vary tall and my shoe size is 15. for your bunker gear do you get fitted (sort of like a tailor) and the factory makes it to your size? If not do you know if you can?

Asked by birdistheword123 about 12 years ago

Yes, Most firefighting gear is measured to your size.

1202 Votes

Should someone who has had a herniated disc in the lumbar region of the back be a volunteer firefighter? I try to take care of my back. I get a little pain back there once in awhile. But I lift a lot at work with no problem other than what i said. ?

Asked by Steven R. almost 12 years ago

To be honest you would be limited to auxillary duties

1196 Votes

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

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I want to be a volunteer firefighter. I've always had a very clean record, but a while back my car insurance coverage lapsed. I'm insured again now, problem solved. But I'm worried this may disqualify me from ever becoming a volunteer?

Asked by John almost 12 years ago

No this would no disqualify you.

1193 Votes

(Continued)

Also, would being a volunteer FF/EMT help someone's odds for college admissions? Could that be the alternative for an internship or other thing that shows you are a dedicated kid? (Of course I wouldn't join a VFD for that purpose)

Asked by 123 over 11 years ago

Some communities provide housing and income for college students that provide their ability to volunteer with their fire departments. There have been volunteers that have volunteered for years and haven't been hired cause they didn't make themselves more valuable to an employer with education. So don't think volunteering is the only way. Remember fire depts are running 90% medical calls to 10% fire calls

1190 Votes

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I accidentally spilled about 1/2 cup (maybe a bit more, but not a cup) of gasoline down the bathtub drain. Windows are open. Water running a couple hours. Is there anything else I should be doing? Everything I find online is about large spills.

Asked by Beth over 11 years ago

You are fine, just make sure to clean the tub and don't do that again. You can create health issues by exposing others to these fluids in the water system.

1189 Votes

a career national perspective, career state perspective and local

Asked by mel over 11 years ago

It can be rough getting on with bigger departments. But with the right qualifications such as EMT , FF 1, FF2 it gives you a step u. I am from South Carolina and deparments are hiring on a fairly steady rate but understand this is the South so startg pay will not aas be on the op of e scle. It should be noted that the majorty of firefighters do work a partime job. I teach safety classes off duty myself.

1181 Votes

How much protection do turnouts give you? If you put your arm into a small, isolated flame for a second will you be hurt? Is your gear like a powerful oven-mitt for your whole body? [I think oven mitts are really cool to use I pretend I'm a FF :)]

Asked by Robert over 11 years ago

Sometimes to much. Fire gear is fire resitive not fire proof but will ignite at high temps. The thing about it is that the gear allows us by its protection to work in hitemps. these temps will cause us to stay in unsafe temps at times.

1166 Votes

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Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm looking to be a firefighter but I am vary tall and my shoe size is 15. for your bunker gear do you get fitted (sort of like a tailor) and the factory makes it to your size? If not do you know if you can?

Should someone who has had a herniated disc in the lumbar region of the back be a volunteer firefighter? I try to take care of my back. I get a little pain back there once in awhile. But I lift a lot at work with no problem other than what i said. ?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

I want to be a volunteer firefighter. I've always had a very clean record, but a while back my car insurance coverage lapsed. I'm insured again now, problem solved. But I'm worried this may disqualify me from ever becoming a volunteer?

(Continued)

Also, would being a volunteer FF/EMT help someone's odds for college admissions? Could that be the alternative for an internship or other thing that shows you are a dedicated kid? (Of course I wouldn't join a VFD for that purpose)

Also on Jobstr...

I accidentally spilled about 1/2 cup (maybe a bit more, but not a cup) of gasoline down the bathtub drain. Windows are open. Water running a couple hours. Is there anything else I should be doing? Everything I find online is about large spills.

a career national perspective, career state perspective and local

How much protection do turnouts give you? If you put your arm into a small, isolated flame for a second will you be hurt? Is your gear like a powerful oven-mitt for your whole body? [I think oven mitts are really cool to use I pretend I'm a FF :)]

Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm looking to be a firefighter but I am vary tall and my shoe size is 15. for your bunker gear do you get fitted (sort of like a tailor) and the factory makes it to your size? If not do you know if you can?

Should someone who has had a herniated disc in the lumbar region of the back be a volunteer firefighter? I try to take care of my back. I get a little pain back there once in awhile. But I lift a lot at work with no problem other than what i said. ?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

I want to be a volunteer firefighter. I've always had a very clean record, but a while back my car insurance coverage lapsed. I'm insured again now, problem solved. But I'm worried this may disqualify me from ever becoming a volunteer?

(Continued)Also, would being a volunteer FF/EMT help someone's odds for college admissions? Could that be the alternative for an internship or other thing that shows you are a dedicated kid? (Of course I wouldn't join a VFD for that purpose)

Also on Jobstr...

I accidentally spilled about 1/2 cup (maybe a bit more, but not a cup) of gasoline down the bathtub drain. Windows are open. Water running a couple hours. Is there anything else I should be doing? Everything I find online is about large spills.

a career national perspective, career state perspective and local

How much protection do turnouts give you? If you put your arm into a small, isolated flame for a second will you be hurt? Is your gear like a powerful oven-mitt for your whole body? [I think oven mitts are really cool to use I pretend I'm a FF :)]

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(Continued)

Also, would being a volunteer FF/EMT help someone's odds for college admissions? Could that be the alternative for an internship or other thing that shows you are a dedicated kid? (Of course I wouldn't join a VFD for that purpose)