I’m a 17 y/o girl. I know that emergency medicine is for me, and I’m a pre-nursing student now, but I can’t stop thinking about firefighting.
I know that mentally, I’d be great for it. I do search and rescue and our team is based in a fire station. I get along great with the sense of humor and attitude of the firefighters. Besides SAR, we work closely with the fire dept. here: changing air tanks, rolling hose, doing scene security, and dealing with evacuees.
I’m working on my EMT right now and I’m confident that I’d make an excellent paramedic. The idea of doing emergency medicine one hour, dealing with HAZMAT the next, and putting out a fire the next is very appealing to me.
The only problem is that I’m a girl, and a relatively small one at that (5’5″ 135 lbs). I am very strong compared to other girls my age and I’m in good shape, but I don’t have a lot of endurance because I have bad knees and lungs.
Can I work my ass off and make it or am I just too small/female to cut it?
I won’t be devastated if you tell me it’s not worth pursuing… I’m about equally as interested in becoming a flight nurse. I would just enjoy the variety of work that firefighting offers.
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NEVER give up ! Go for it ! Your a WINNER !
Girl you can do it!
I’m going to be a firefighter [as more of a hobby job] in 18 months.
As soon as you turn 18 sign up for whichever courses your fire department requires for you to take in order to qualify.
Its really not too hard. I think you could do it.
I’m 5’4” and 125 pounds.
I’m not a firefighter, but I’ve always had an interest in the field, and I’m a volunteer in the emergency response field.
Your size and gender shouldn’t matter a bit.
I met a very small lady who is a captain in my local fire department, and it certainly didn’t hold her back!
The bad lungs and knees will be more of an issue.
If you can build up your endurance, start now.
I would advise making a contact or two in your local fire department, and getting their views. I am sure you can find someone who is willing to give you some tips!
If firefighting is your passion, do NOT give up no matter what!
You WILL find a way, eventually.
Cheers,
Krissa
In the town I work in, they just got their first female firefighter about 2 years ago. Where I live (across the river) there are still no females.. but it’s because no one ever tries to pass the test. I recommend you check your city’s physical test requirements out, and start working on it now. You can do it, but you are right, you’ll have to work hard. Good Luck!
i’ve been a volunteer firefighter for over 2 years now. If you are really interested in it do it. They will train you to do what they need, as for stamina between the adrenaline, and everything else people last longer.
The lung problem may have an impact on your acceptance. They give you a physical and at the physical requires a lung capacity test. This is for the SCBA that you will have to wear to be a firefighter.
As for being a female. I am one and i was the first one at my station. It took them awhile to warm up to me. They treated me like an equal though and that is what i wanted.
Since you are already in good with a fire dept. The next time they hire, ask if they will let you take their practical ability test, Or if they do that test as practice a few times a year, or once a year, see if they will let you join in and do it.. If you can do those skills, you meet the minimum standards for that department in the physical end.
As I dont know how bad your knees and lungs are, I cannot answer if they would disqualify you, however I know quite a few people that have small disabilites and still perform well.
As far as not being female, that is no hinderance unless the review board is biased.. But practically, I have seen females that beat the men in alot of the skills.
As far as being small, that can be a disadvantage, but ALSO you can work it into an advantage. Imagine a 6’5″ 300lb guy having to be lowered into a sewer manhole to do a rescue, or climbing thru a window at a car accident.. It is almost impossible in some cases. A smaller person might be the way to go.. Again, if you can do the minimum skills, lifting and using the hose, moving the rescue-dummy, lifting and using the tools such as the jaws of life, life and set and climb the ladders, you can usually do the job.
But if you are unsure if you want to commit to all the schooling to get the certificates and such for ajob, you might not be able to do, find an ambulance company, and work for them as an EMT,, you get to network and deal with the firefighters from alot of different departments ALSO see if there are any volunteer fire departments (or paid departments that also use volunteers), and see about joining up.. a year or so of training and experience would go a long way in getting a job (it shows you can also do it) Plus you might not want to be a full time firefighter and just do it on your terms on an as needed basis.