6 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Became A Firefighter

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I'm the kind of person that likes knowing what I'm getting myself into before I get into it. That said, there was a lot I didn't know when I first became a firefighter. Here are just a few of the main things I had no idea about when I first started.
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22 май 2024

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Комментарии : 188

@bryantenjhay65 3 года назад

My sister was save by a fightfigher who arrived before the ambulance and I want to become one to thank that person

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

That's awesome, I glad your sister is doing well

@christianking8256 3 года назад

@@mike_pertz i applied for my fire department but Covid is holding me up is there anyway to get in there sooner I got my aed and cpr certification card but no ems or fire training tho

@christianking8256 2 года назад

@@andyriveratbe if u go in they hire u but they pay for it u don’t have to spend a dime

@collectivefilmgroup4241 2 года назад

@@andyriveratbe I'd recommend being a Junior Firefighter at your department. They won't allow you to be an interior firefighter but you'll learn the service and eventually be sponsored (paid for) to go through the academy. They may even have a residence program where you live in an adjoining house and pay your way by doing mandatory shifts. That's the best way to do it. Then when you are of age and credentialed, you can be considered for a full time job. At very least you will be read for a job somewhere in the fire service. Best of luck to you!

@tammywhitejackson2569 Год назад

@@collectivefilmgroup4241 I'm glad I listened to you talk about being a firefighter cuz I have been talking to a firefighter lately and I was kind of interested in him but after listening to you speak you just confirmed to me that I need to move on. I was married for 32 years and my husband was working in sheet metal and he got asbestos in his lungs and I ended up taking care of him for 15 years he also contracted hepatitis C my children and I had to do hospice for a month and he passed in our home. I have been a caregiver all my life my mother passed in my home on hospice with cancer my husband passed in are home with on hospice with lung disease my girlfriend came to live with me for a short time when she wanted to commit suicide and passed for the heart attack and then my ex-boyfriend came to stay with me and committed suicide a month later. I'm 62 years old and I'm not ready or willing to take on someone else that does not have time to spend with me and has to devote most of his time to the fire station family and has a great chance of me taking care of him when he gets sick because of the chemicals that they have to breathe. I was attracted to this fireman man because of his compassion and taking care of other people and the type of work he did but after listening to you I have to let it go. Thank you so much for opening my eyes. God bless you and keep you safe always and thank you for your civic duty for saving Our Lives

@RedT...TheOriginal.NotANumber 2 года назад

Most potential firefighters don't realize just how closely they'll be tied to EMS. With the rare exception of 3rd party EMS areas, Fire will be running more medical calls than trauma calls (falls, MVCs), and more trauma calls than fires. "This is not what I signed up for!" is a common statement among new firefighters. Some states require FFs to be at least EMT-Bs for that reason.

@ellenrice19 3 года назад

I've watched several of your videos, never worked for any fire service but started my career in Healthcare as an EMT for a private service. Went on to become an RN. So much of what you have to say applies to many jobs where you are helping people, I think anyone who wants to work in any facet of Healthcare would benefit from what you have to say. Thanks for your service

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Hi Ellen, thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you liked the videos and find them helpful!

@77gravity 2 года назад

Queensland, Australia. A few years ago the Parliament passed what is called (shorthand) Presumptive legislation, in which any firefighter who is diagnosed with one of 12 defined cancers is Presumed to have it as a result of their employment. It is no longer necessary for a cancer patient to PROVE it is work-related. This was a HUGE leap forward for Workplace Compensation.

@donniepoff5476 3 года назад

Really appreciate these videos. It’s the best FF prep out there. I really appreciate the honesty. It’s helpful.

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

I appreciate that!

@chrism6904 3 года назад

Inspiring Firefighters/EMTs/Paramedics .... 99% of 911 calls are going to be "bullshit". It's not like TV, where every call is going to be badass and fun. I can't even remember the last time I had a legitimate call... It's probably been over a month. My last call yesterday was "Non-traumatic ankle pain" x 3 weeks.

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Ya there are certainly a lot of non emergency calls...

@lebronjames8544 3 года назад

Heavily depends on where you work though also

@leeanndiamond8218 3 года назад

I would say 75% of our calls are not emergencies. Most people could and should just go to their doctors for what they call us for.

@williamraively3092 2 года назад

Nausea/vomiting another common call

@mikejames3060 Год назад

System needs to change.

@tolyg8937 2 года назад

Thanks for such a frank and honest sharing of your experience.

@andradebrown6636 3 года назад

This is really help full because ever since I was 7 I knew is what I wanted to I have a passion for first responders I like the fact that being a firefighter you have can help propels in a big way put a smile on their face

@kasestolte6003 3 года назад

Love the content! I just finished my Psych Eval and have just one more step before training!

@EliteFoxes44 8 месяцев назад

Thanks for all your advice! I just joined my volunteer department a few weeks ago

@precisionfilms3777 3 года назад

Fire/EMS should pay $100k a year all day. Once I stepped out of the fire service and started my Company I realized how crazy the hours were and the risks involved and hazards especially with Covid 19. My hats off to the men and women that sacrifice themselves for us.

@Ben-fp7qp 3 года назад

they can make over a 100k because of over time my dads a pittsburgh firefighter and he started alot of overtime n mad 145k

@precisionfilms3777 3 года назад

@@Ben-fp7qp most firefighters I know make about $45k. Who wants to live at the station? 145k is not a common firefighter salary.

@precisionfilms3777 3 года назад

@@Ben-fp7qp Pittsburgh Bureau of Fighters website states that a Master Firefighter salary is $63k.

@brandtscholar1519 3 года назад

@@Ben-fp7qp My uncle is a Pittsburgh firefighter lol

@givegodtheglory12 2 года назад

@@Ben-fp7qp the starting salary in my city is $42k.

@JamesPPW 2 года назад

I have just started my application process for Fire in Alberta, Canada. The honesty and insights to the reality of the profession have been incredibly helpful.

@I_lord_leo Год назад

Thanks man I plan on becoming a firefighter after I leave highschool so this heads up really helped thanks

@davidperry8820 5 месяцев назад

Had my first call out as a volunteer firefighter at 3:30 this morning I love watching your videos

@carolynbonis4128 2 года назад

Great videos .Learning volumes about fifes and fighting them.

@ralphreign8816 Год назад

Thank you so much for your service as a firefighter and also for your service to the firefighter community spreading information from experience. I’m in the process of becoming a firefighter here on Vashon island / Seattle area and one thing I’m not finding much about online is mental prep + toughness. Just from watching your videos I know that knowledge takes away a lot of the fears / doubts / worries / and questions and training will lead to confidence but what are some things you do to keep a level head?

@chubbylama5055 9 месяцев назад

I’m from ohio and becoming a firefighter soon. You are a real inspiration

@Deerhunterjs 2 года назад

I believe in the seniority based to a point, because it can build respect from the other guys them seeing and knowing they have the experience needed to make the right call on scene. But I 100% agree it should be competency based. It sounds similar to the way unions are based in Minnesota, and I've been a member of one of then for 10 years now.

@JoeyC0914 3 года назад

Appreciate the tips and wisdom! Here, in Virginia, it’s 25 years for the pension. People who transfer in from another state, military, ect can buy back their time from the state.

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Yup, same thing here. I think you're eligible to draw 30% or something like that at 15 years here and it slowly increases to full pension at 25 years.

@windsorcorbin1005 2 года назад

I knew what I was getting into and so glad because it helped

@kylepfleiderer9107 3 года назад

Hey from mid Ohio..... love your videos and alot great info ..... thank you for your service

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Glad you like them!

@mokey666 2 года назад

thank you for the information 🙏

@udaymuhammad2851 3 года назад

Thanks you for the vids keep it up🙏🏾

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Will do, thank you!

@brendansimmons3712 3 года назад

Thank you for your service and the helpful videos, today is day 4 for my push-up challenge.

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Great job!

@randyellison602 3 года назад

Your videos are great. I just got into college for fire science. I've been wanting to get into firefighting as a career for a long time so I made the decision to act and not waste anymore time lol.

@absolutemattlad2701 Год назад

Same boat here, just starting fire sciences classes in a week. Hows it coming so far brother?

@rhoonah5849 Год назад

You'd probably be better off getting your EMT as opposed to a degree in fire science but hopefully the curriculum will get you both. Good luck.

@boonelorenz5005 Год назад

I know a 7 year medic who just by chance happens to get nailed with codes all the time. As a result, she has more code experience than a lot of people do at retirement. A great paramedic once said experience can't be measured in years, experience is gained in seconds.

@rvasquez8057 Год назад

I knew about most of the positive and negative ramifications of the actual job of policing before getting into law enforcement back in 1980. What I was not prepared for was the back stabbing and politics that occur on the job. I am aware that these issues are pretty standard in most professions but in some of the departments I have worked in, it was so detrimental to your advancement and just your quality of life. In most cases it was a direct result of upper management and the chief or sheriff. In one county agency I worked for, the working situation was pretty good. When the old sheriff retired and the newly elected ex-fed paper pusher took over, it became a living hell for most employees. Just like on a fire scene or a domestic violence call, there are always the unseen dangers. Do your research and talk to people in the departments you are looking at joining to get a good understanding of what that department is really like, not just what the public perception is. That will save you a lot of heartache and sleepless nights. BTW: You Smoke-Eaters have the luxury of sleeping in a bed, try the front seat of a Dodge Diplomat. 😂

@bigholli8449 Год назад

I fully agree with the seniority based thing. It sucks the motivation out of you. Even a shit stain will stick to the side of the toilet bowl for awhile. I had no idea about the politics involved in the inner workings, and also wondering what the new mayor will do with the department, if we will keep funding up or go down. The sleep thing is rough for me. Only because of either subconsciously worried about not wanting to sleep through a page out. Which is almost impossible because it’s crazy loud in the room. And being ripped from my sleep by it. If something comes in after 0300 I just go nap in the chair. We have to be up by 0500. Relieved at 6.

@egarrett1117 9 месяцев назад

I’m on year two and everything Mike said is 100% accurate

@TriangleChoke69 Год назад

Not a firefighter, but former EMT. I'll echo the stress of dealing with patients who are in tragic situations. When I was working as an EMT doing transport before doing 911 my partner and I transported a fairly young patient, say 30s - it was a long time ago - who had some kind of degenerative neurological condition where she basically couldn't move and had a ton of pain. We moved her from the stretcher to the nursing home bed as she was screaming I think more out of realization that her fate was to life the remainder of her life in a nursing home bed rather than pain, but who am I to say? It was horrifying, but we were powerless to help other than to do the transport. I'm very fortunate to have moved to a different kind of work, but God bless all healthcare workers.

@kyaross6669 3 года назад

Do you know of any training programs for younger people, specifically for the 13-15 age range.Great vid man! Keep it up.

@33pbunny 3 года назад

The seniority comment was spot on. They all were, but that one in particular struck with me. I got promoted to a company officer very early on in my career and the amount of backlash I put up with even years later from those in the same hiring process is just a symptom of that culture. Keep doing what you do. Try to get some sleep. We're very small, no Kelly days or anything like that so 24-48 pretty much forever. The career is more exhausting than I could ever explain.

@tnzayatz6579 2 года назад

Did the backlash come as a result of your promotion? Nothing to do with seniority just straight up jealousy not a fire culture issue.

@SobaOfPulaski 2 года назад

Frankly if I had known aboout all the screwed up stuff I was gonna see, I don't know how willing I would have been to jump into it. In a way not knowing what to expect helped me find out that this is what I love to do instead of throwing it aside because of the horror stories I may have heard. As for Pensions for Volunteers, we have them, but you have to serve 20 years before you can have access to it. Other than that though we also have the Benevolent Brotherhood [this is for NC really as far as I am aware] which is a LODD benefit for your family.

@maxwelljackson2210 2 месяца назад

Genuinely considering fire fighting

@sergioalvarez4549 Год назад

I’m an animal control officer / Wildlife rescue tech. Essentially animal cop & EMT. I often consider if I could do this with people. I work closely with PD & Fire, but I always enjoy taking calls with fire fighters. Watching your videos currently and discerning on what to do exactly. All I can say is thank you for taking the time to make these videos and educating us all!

@extremeencounter7458 Год назад

You ever decide which way you wanted to go bro?

@sergioalvarez4549 Год назад

@@extremeencounter7458 got a little bit of a promotion at my job. I’m now a humane animal investigator so for the time being I’ve put the firefighter stuff on hold. But you never know what the future entails!

@extremeencounter7458 Год назад

@@sergioalvarez4549 Fair enough, I have my entry level test for the National Firefighter Selection Inventory tomorrow, kinda decided on a whim a week or so ago but it’s definitely something I’d love to be a part of. Glad to hear you’ve already upgraded, definitely sounds like a dream job!

@sergioalvarez4549 Год назад

@@extremeencounter7458 congrats, that’s great! I’m wishing you the best of luck. My new job is definitely more of something I can create a career around or climb the ladder with. Fortunately it’s still with the same location so it wasn’t a big move or anything. Anyways, wishing you the best!

@j887276 Год назад

Sounds like you just described literally every job I've ever had in my life 😅

@miker6546 Год назад

Pensions for volunteers (in New York at least) is called LOSAP ( Length Of Service Award Pension) it varies by department. As Long as we make our points each year (minimum amout of calls, drills etc) we become vested at 5 years and we can draw from it when we reach retirement age (65 years old) Mine is about $800 a year, so yeah, I'm definitely not in it for the money.

@noahsmit11 6 месяцев назад

What’s up man. I’m also from ohio and been debating on making the career switch. My whole family has said many times they think I’d be very good as a fireman. I haven’t dove too deep into your channel but I was curious as to what made you join? I always thought of being a doctor or something but as I went thru biology in college I quickly learned that wasn’t for me. So my thought was I’d also be able to help people and overall have a meaningful impact on community. It seems I’d be able to get both of those things.

@chrisray-rohan286 3 года назад

Seniority and competency..welcome to my world!

@alanaldpal950 3 года назад

At certain fire departments the most competent firefighters don’t want to promote above captain regardless of seniority. Years ago we had a Battalion Chiefs test and only one captain took the test. They had to talk a 2nd Captain into taking the test to make it look valid even though he knew they were going to select the first one. Unexpectedly a second B/C spot came up and since he was on the list he got the job. Worse is we had an assistant chief spot come open and the 3 (out of 4 B/C) Battalion Chiefs with years of time in grade did not want it so the spot went to the 4th newly promoted B/C. Guy went from Captain to B/C in 2 months. I think the 3 more qualified B/C’s did not want to be on a 40 hour week (desk duty).

@junkie_cosmonaut9622 3 года назад

I remember when I was little we had a fire. We have a finished basement we live in it's confusing but not the point. My little brother was on fire I only had minor burns. I remember pulling him up the stairs and running to get my dad who was outside grilling some chicken. I couldn't hardly say anything except "dave's on fire" and after that honestly it's kind of blurry for me but all I know is if it wasn't for the fire department I probably wouldn't have a brother now. I wasn't even 10 years old. It was me being a stupid kid playing with fire that caused it and it's only pretty recently I've stopped blaming myself but that's not the point. Now 10 years later I'm conflicted between becoming a Firefighter and joining the Marine Corps. I'm so lucky though I saw the very same men who were on call that day at work last week and I could finally tell them how grateful I am for their service to our community. God bless the Portage Fire Department and god bless every brave man and woman who serves their community.

@jordans1917 3 года назад

Mistakes happen, don’t beat yourself up brother

@colinsanders9397 3 года назад

The Corps has flightline firefighting billets. Talk to your recruiter about it.

@BrokenWrenches 9 месяцев назад

im almost 40 and just getting ready to start my firefighting career. what’s important to me wouldn’t even be on the radar to 20 year old me. one thing I’ve thought about is weighing the advantages and disadvantages between getting into a big/busy/high paying department or going to a small/slow/lower paying department?????? at 39 whats better for my health/body and bank account?????

@jaytee7568 Год назад

Respect is earned the old dogs have earned it You wanna get recognized let your skills do the talking.

@lotfiramoul7397 3 года назад

0 dislikes wow that's a thing u don't see everyday

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

haha thank you!

@RealJaninne Год назад

Same, no nepotism for me, starting my first shift Monday, please pray for me🤗

@derRoteKampfflieger 2 года назад

Good video. Good points but to be digestible by modern audiences it was understandably brief. Each topic could be expanded on. Viewers should know that your opinion on pensions is extremely uncommon. Most people consider a pension to be one of the best parts of any job. Especially 25 and out. Nice to see the 'sadness' addressed. Very few civilians in this world realize just how bad life is for a surprisingly number of people. Even in Canada with socialized health care and municipal housing, people are living in absolute squander. That is tough to come to terms with, especially in a city where an average home is worth over a million dollars. Seniority. One of the real challenges of a merit based system is that it is often subjective. And it can and usually ends up suffering some degree of human manipulation. Also, many of potential officer candidates have been out of the learning stream for decades, have busy lives, and unlike initial candidates, a career. Studying can be extremely challenging, study skills lacking, and let's face it many people don't test well. The best system is some system that tries to take both streams (seniority and merit) into consideration.

@poorboysfishing7482 Год назад

@firefighter now you got any recommendations on studying for hazmat operations? I'm a firefighter in Tennessee and looking to move up to special operations (hazmat)

@ALLpurpose85 Месяц назад

You forgot to mention the fire service is like 80% emt or paramedic based so a lot of the calls are generally some medical issue such as I stubbed my toe at 3am and I feel like it’s a good idea to call 911 for it

@lukerevealfirephotography9045 3 года назад

Didn't know you were in Ohio I'm up here in Tuscrawrus county in Dover. Where you at?

@KJClutchoxw 2 года назад

I’m from Toledo Ohio. Looking to get Into the fire department. If possible I’d want to talk to you and just learn some things about training and preparing.

@cmcer1995 Год назад

I have worked State, Federal, and Local Government agencies for 35+ years and retired recently. Areas were LEO and RN. I don't know if PERA is who handles your pension but their system is their system and thousands and thousands have worked and retired with good pensions which are very adequate to support you and your family in the retirement years. Yes, they take money out of your pay to invest it, and contribute a matching amount to hold and invest for at least 20 years if your want to receive their portion as well. Then the monthly amount is dependent on how many years you put in passed the 20 years on a percentage basis. Then Life and Health Insurances at good rates, and sometimes tax breaks at income tax time. But, my social security took a hit say 50% less. So all in all it is a win without going deeper.

@joeyb166 3 года назад

From the perspective of a seasoned firefighter. How hard is it to experience/ how important is it to be able to handle the very gruesome injuries or scenes. Is it something you were always able to handle or is it something you can adapt to?

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Good question, honestly, it depends on each person. I haven't had a lot of trouble with it but every person is different.

@lisaball1701 3 года назад

I wouldn’t consider myself seasoned, but I would second his opinion. It is very personal, and I think it can change throughout one’s career. Those that have newborn children can suddenly more impacted to a child tragedy. Someone that is struggling with bottled up stuff, something seemingly random can trigger your emotions. In the dark, your mind and imagination can fill in the gaps to make things more personal to you. Other times, some people can feel cold and detached to an incident that are making those crumble on scene. And there’s a dark humor of a firehouse that we keep with recounting stories that you just can’t make up.

@ijacobmf 3 года назад

Oof, I just got out of the military and have been considering this career path, but that military rank structure bullshit over competency is something to really consider now🤣

@kevinscanlonsr1593 3 года назад

Jacob - depending where you work, the FD is very much like the military.

@deckgun31 2 года назад

Jacob - I hope you didn’t get turned away because of this one aspect. Rank structures vary by department. Do your homework. Research where you would like to work. Ask questions. Get answers BEFORE you decide. This is a career choice. In the meantime, get/stay physically fit. Educate yourself. Be prepared to learn the rest of your career. If you truly want to be in the fire service, you’ll be fine.

@ParkerHarrington 2 года назад

I'm curious...."things I wish I knew" is different from "things I didn't know". In regard to a few of these, what would the difference have been? For example, your first point about seniority. You wish you knew before. Why? Would it have made a difference in becoming a firefighter? Would it have changed your decision?

@kellyj5389 3 года назад

Ohio is where I am. Great pension system. And the DROP is priceless. No brained to do that.

@kilo3o3 Год назад

You can try the gummies for sleep. They have helped me after my car accident.

@user-pb4pp9rm7e 4 месяца назад

What is lateralling from one department to the next? I am not a figherfighter but am interested and I hear it may mean that you can take a pension from one state to the next is that true? What is lateralling?

@nigilw6890 2 года назад

im currently in theNavy and was wondering if military experience would help become a firefighter a little easier

@justincatlette20 Год назад

Definitely

@farahjames8010 Год назад

I’m 17 I’m a female almost 18 and I’ve been thinking about starting fire fighting because I want to help other people. I want a rewarding and pride job. I want to work for God’s kingdom. I also want a pretty physical job as well. I’m an extremely hard worker. I have great work ethic. Once I learn the job. I can get very good at it. I am a female, so I am the first generation of my family to do it if I were, but I think that it would be a truly amazing job.

@fredocarter5143 2 года назад

In the middle of going to fire academy.. experience as a wildland firefighter bout to do my cpat

@johnhallis7995 2 года назад

I'M FROM POTTSVILLE PENNSYLVANIA . I'M A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER FOR 37 YEARS. I KNOW YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT RUNNING NONE STOP IN 24 HOURS. IN 1990 IN THE CITY OF POTTSVILLE WE HAD 8 FIRE CALLS . 3 WORKING HOUSE FIRES 2 BRUSH FIRES AND 3 M V ACCIDENTS

@braydenrhodes2614 11 месяцев назад

I want to become a firefighter I’ve watched just about all your vids but I am a big social person I will say I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed with having adhd but I am enthused about joining and I just want to know having no background I just need a starting point rather it’s certifications or what not

@baseballfarter 4 месяца назад

He talks about point # 4 and the job as a firefighter is very bad for your health. And it truly is! That’s why firefighters need time off to recover! Everybody jokes about firefighter’s off time, but they truly need it to recover.

@sur-finn8446 Месяц назад

Oh, where to start. As A PAST president of a now non-existent volunteers smallish department, to an employee of a larger suburban department... huge difference in stress. No kidding is there stress/politics in fire fighting (EMS/Wet Stuff on the red stuff/wild land, hazmat, search and rescue, car crashes, and admin functions). Did it all for about 10 years. Some paid, some as a volunteer. Your experience will be as varied as there are people, but it will always be appreciated. I would join up again as a volunteer. Using logic and my experience, a combo department is the best bang for a communities money. It also throttles the BS that goes along with a full paid department. As far as what to expect, you must be in excellent physical condition, think 20 somethings 20 years ago. Can you complete something like the fire fighters combat challenge in less than 5 minutes? Can you run 1.5 mile in under 12 minutes( ~7 miles an hr). Can you help lift a 300lb pound person out of a car into the back of an ambulance; If so you are physically ready for 99% of calls, physically. Emotionally, you will see stuff that you never want to see again. People will die in your presence despite your best efforts. You will likekly see things that give you pause in all your activities. Yes, volunteer or pro, you will have interrupted nights with little sleep. Hopefully your work will understand, mine certainly did after it caught fire from improper equipment installation. OMG, leadership, in volunteer departments you get to choose, but in combo or paid, you can get some "real winners". The IFCA had a class on how to deal with those types... The job as a firefight is constantly evolving. Your brains are as important as you strength in this field. Thank you for being a Fire Fighter! -Bryan

@marshanotmarcia7433 2 года назад

Almost exactly the same dynamic as Teaching. Length of service does not always mean % of current aptitude. I know several ‘seasoned’ FF that refused to attend recommended classes because of their ‘I’ve been doing this for 25+ years, what else could I possibly learn?” attitude. They subsequently left their firehouses, leaving their communities lacking the very thing those FF’s promised they would always supply….

@chrollosarm1261 3 года назад

I’m 17 and I want to get into being a fire fighter but how do I start ? I want it to possibly be my future job depending if I enjoy it or not

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Hi Chrollos, I would recommend if you're unsure, go visit the closest department and see if you can do ride time. Or, visit the closest volunteer department and look into joining them. I'll be making a video on how to become a firefighter step-by-step very soon so I'll have that up within the next few weeks. Be sure to check back.

@chrollosarm1261 3 года назад

@@mike_pertz thank you and I’ll take a look at your videos I already subscribed:)

@nickkunsman6753 2 года назад

Chrollos if you still pay attention to this, what state are you in? If Texas, I got some awesome advice.

@mikeschuchman8461 4 месяца назад

Over 25 years with Baltimore City FD, E-56Ret. this is the greatest job anyone could have, my question is, if this guy has all this to say, why the hell is he in the fire department. Get the hell out, make room for someone who would be pride to be a firefighter.

@cliffpaul3889 3 года назад

Good morning! Any advice on how to gain knowledge months before an academy? Things like building construction etc? Or is there anything you’d recommend somebody try to learn about as much as possible if they only have wildland experience? Thank you!

@natedeordio4010 3 года назад

Fire engineering's Firefighter 1 and 2 book is good, the 2019 edition is around $100.

@Swaggerlife13 3 года назад

Ropes and knots

@Garyvillines 3 года назад

You are viewing your best resource! RU-vid can teach you anything!

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

All three of those answers from Gary, Nate and JayGotDLinks are good answers. That's what I would recommend as well. Building construction is good, but I would also make sure your physically fit before starting the academy.

@burningspear90 3 года назад

@@natedeordio4010 thank you

@mashhic 2 года назад

What if you want to get into firefighting but, you're a high-school drop out (wasn't my choice) with a ged but is horrible at math? Would volunteering be the best way to go?

@emperor___palpatine 2 года назад

Do it through the air force and just go in as a cadet

@deckgun31 2 года назад

A very good friend of mine has a GED equivalent. He volunteers with the local FD. He’s been there 20+ years. He owns an Auto Repair Shop with 3 locations and 97 employees. He is also the Asst. Chief at a station with 25 FFs assigned to it. My point? You are the biggest obstruction in your path. You can do whatever you set your mind to do. Start at a VFD. You may like it and want to stay. Or, challenge the test and become a career FF if you want. Choose a different career path if you want. But you do you. Don’t measure yourself by the standards of others. You’ll never get what you want. Above all get/stay physically fit. And educate yourself. You’ll be glad you did … even if you never get that dream job. It’s all about the journey, not the end result. Good luck!

@panvavan 8 месяцев назад

Firefighter or Police Officer? Which should I go?

@joeuser633 Год назад

You sure don't understand pensions. Most of us out here would love to have a defined benefits pension as an option for retirement. You're lucky to have it and you'll probably understand when you start considering retirement and run some numbers.

@skipd9164 2 года назад

I'm surprised you didn't talk about relationships both good and bad. I believe just like military members firefighters spend a lot of time away from home. There are great spouses and dirtbag ones . My " friend " a firefighter has ruined a lot of marriages including mine. Work every day and your friend the firefighter will play

@JoDo777 Год назад

The dirt bag ones are narcissists/sociopaths. INCURABLE. The Planet needs to wake up. They're very common. Male and Female versions

@ronthemogul Год назад

It was already ruined before fireman laid the hose lol

@joelraber9556 Год назад

What part of ohio are you working in , im working in ohio as well

@justanotheraccount5543 2 года назад

Any way you could elaborate more on the correlation between FF and increased cancer risk? Thanks

@DynamicDuo373 2 года назад

You’re exposed to hazard like smoke and objects that burn release chemicals/hazards that are also carcinogens

@whybeme1212 11 месяцев назад

Pensions suck, in my state it forces us to retire at 57 years old, 3% at 57 who wants to work until theyre 57 years old, if we want to retire early we won’t be eligible for the monthly pension. A lot of guys have their own 401ks or retirement plans.

@jewel1953 2 года назад

As a former police officer in Colorado we had a retirement like that but a few years later we were still matching with the city but now we were allowed to invest in mutual funds when they were hot in the late 80s and 90s. You could break the funds up 3 different ways high risk, med. risk or just cds. Between my husband being a watch commander and me a patrol officer we took 20 some thousand dollars and turned it into over $300,000 in about ten years.

@Annnton17 3 года назад

Can you make a video about the psych test? The one I have coming up is 1200 questions and it’s stressing me out 😂

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Sure!

@Annnton17 3 года назад

@@mike_pertz thank you! All the rest of your videos have been a great help so far during this process

@ronthemogul 2 года назад

Holy sht 1200 for what

@patrick7799 3 года назад

Arms can be used to climb stairs

@outboardgull5285 Год назад

so true

@adambenavidez7042 Год назад

City politics fucked us up here in Houston Fire! Its definitely is tearing us apart here!

@janukasubedi2715 2 года назад

Please reply if I become firefighter can I able to get weekends off or at least Sunday off? Is it possible?

@mike_pertz 2 года назад

Probably not

@JuanRG360 2 года назад

Thank you for your honesty. I’m highly considering looking into a different career now. Pardon my use of words, but it just sounds awful what you said.

@volmania5329 3 года назад

How can I leverage being a volunteer to become a full time firefighter?

@Garyvillines 3 года назад

Your volunteer time can show dedication to the fire service. And the connections you make could help too. Everyone knows everyone. Your actions will be witnessed and judgements will be formed.

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Gary said it perfectly.

@bcrawford9072 3 года назад

Also to add to that don't get closed to one area. Look everywhere and get your foot in the door. It's easier to move when you have a foot in at another department.

@68W343 3 года назад

In my personal experience big cities dont give a shit about volunteer time they think we are incompetent. Also shoot for a small dept i scored 90 in the civil service exam and ranked 307 out of 1,310 people that passed.

@volmania5329 3 года назад

@@68W343 Thanks. I’m in a small town where everybody knows each other. Volunteering has led me to meeting a lot of full time guys and we have become a tight bunch

@gamecop2191 Год назад

Is it hard to get hired once your 30? I know the cut off is 35, but are they weary of hiring rookies in their 30’s?

@ronthemogul Год назад

Every dept is different

@travisali8451 3 года назад

Witch state are you a firefighter in

@ronthemogul 2 года назад

He said Ohio

@JokulXyrevived 6 месяцев назад

lol sounds like the Army to me

@kristianmillano158 3 года назад

I want to be firefighter but do you think that I can get hired without a fire science degree, I cannot afford college

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

Definitely! In fact, I usually recommend against fire science degrees. I'm working on a video of how to become a firefighter when you dont' know where to start to keep an eye out for that. Also, if you'd like I have another video on this channel about why I don't recommend fire science degrees. You can watch it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-E4ts0W9xyV8.html

@kristianmillano158 3 года назад

@@mike_pertz thank you sir, I’m a high school student and I want to be a firefighter but I don’t have a lot of many to pay all the stuff but your videos have been really helpful and they keep me motivated

@bcrawford9072 3 года назад

Kristian I'm am a full time firefighter. My advice is go vol at a local volunteer fire department. I know you said you are in HS they may have a junior program or something to get you started. That will help you know if you really want to do this and alot of time they will put you through a fire academy. I don't know if you're interested the military is another place to look. Hope this helps.

@kristianmillano158 3 года назад

@@bcrawford9072 thank you sir, I appreciated it a lot, any tips are appreciated. Yes I have to work on that and see how it goes but some departments in my area require experience. I was considered joining the army but unfortunately I can’t because I don’t have US citizenship

@kellyj5389 3 года назад

@@bcrawford9072 I dont know about that. Most of the professional depts I know don’t especially hire that many former volunteers at all. Just too many bad habits to fix. The best way is being former military by far. Military credit goes so far. And that person is used to rank respect. Etc. And SOPs. Probably 85% in Ohio are former military or medics. And college.

@Champe92 3 месяца назад

I just recently quit the fire academy due to all the mental abuse, harassment, bullying & hazing. I had no idea they had that kind of culture. I knew it was paramilitary but it doesn’t make sense why they need to treat you like you’re nothing like a POS. They even threw rocks at us. It felt like we were in a prison. It’s sad that firefighters were supposed to be role models but instead they were big bullies which isn’t okay. They shouldn’t justify abuse. I wanted brotherhood not abuse.

@skipd9164 2 года назад

Probably won't be read but. I receive a great disability and this is something that needs to be talked about but wont. Especially California. What you will get after meeting retirement requirements will be more than most people working 40yrs. Firefighters actually deserve more than what other municipality jobs get paid for pensions . Because the protection worn by firefighters has gotten better over the years. Life expectancy has gone way up ( good thing). Pension or disability pension given to civil service members far out pace civilian pensions. If your municipality had to meet the same requirements as private plans. They would become insolvent. The yrs requirement and medical coverage plus pension payments . They are a shell game by political leaders. My parents both reached and received retirement from municipalities. They lost a small amount in income when retiring. Politicians know it's a hot potato and career suicide if they argue. The truth is give it out and residents have to pay. Many municipalities allow the last year's of service determine their pensions. Many appointments to top civil servants include a pension agreement for just a couple of years work. This means commissioners , superintendents, assistants and some contract workers in all types of categories not just fire. I know promotions and ot are used to increase last years of income . In my municipality just before retirement workers take lots of str details. Newer and less payed workers could really use the OT to support families but cannot.

@luismauricio3264 3 года назад

I also live in ohio. I will be starting emt soon then I'm going for firefighter 1&2

@Bat_Dance Год назад

Sounds like a bad time! Should ‘firefighter’ be the actual title anymore since they’re all cross trained in other areas and do those other things more than actually fighting fires?

@heyeverybody340 Год назад

Dude how many Eddie Bauer sweatshirts you got Lmao

@lttruck2973 2 года назад

MAGIC WAND PROMOTIONS..WHO YOU KNOW NOT WHAT YOU KNOW....BALTIMORE CITY!

@kingmikez0559 2 года назад

I would rather live a short and meaningful life than a long and empty life

@DynamicDuo373 2 года назад

Why not a long AND meaningful life? might as well be a nurse, still save lives, less risk for cancer, more money, and better schedule 3 days a week 12 hour shifts instead of 24

@davidloudermilk7307 3 года назад

30 retired firefighter,run from the job,Cities and counties have destroyed public safety and they could care less about you.

@kellyj5389 3 года назад

Actually. Ohio fire / police pension is number one or two in the nation. California is one I think for what you get at retirement and until death

@jamespotter4878 3 года назад

Yep the politics suck, but I've said it for yrs, how ever bad you think your department is, it's just as bad the next town over. Same problems just different faces😶

@mike_pertz 3 года назад

haha so true, every department has the exact same characters, just different names!

@ronthemogul 2 года назад

I sat in emt class and heard a lot of the issues the current FF were having. It was a big turnoff but what job doesn’t have this type of crap

@culbyj3665 2 года назад

Politics drove me out. THe volly world Sucks in that manner atleast in my area. Theres a saying 7 chiefs in 7 kingdoms. However a very progressive dept which is spot on when it comes to get ting the job done but however sometimes old beefs need to stay outta the equation and family names are the best and worst ..In whats suppossed to be a sister and brotherhood . Change my Mind...

@desertbum8 2 года назад

Damn 3 after midnight? Lucky. We had 6 and 5 of them were structure fires lol.

@mikejames3060 Год назад

I’ve heard nothing but bad things about the American fire departments bullying and stuff.

@libertine5606 Год назад

Fire fighting is a great job. However, you are still a young guy. A "go getter' I assume but wait until your 50 and your knees are gone and your back looks like misaligned jinga blocks. You might think twice about what you think you are accomplishing with your "go getter" attitude. Yes there are people who should retire but there are a lot of firefighters that have seen and done a lot more than you. And that's if you haven't had a roof fall on you, blew your back out getting a person on the gurney drowning in their own fluids from COPD as they look at you with the fear in their eyes of drowning to death. Or you have a heart condition from all the after midnight calls and the missed meals replaced with fast food. You will probably be thankful to have a place with others that have the skills to do the job and do it more efficiently than young guys that think a fire ground is a playground. Which leads me to your second point ya maybe you are a good money manager but most firefighters are not. I don't know how many firefighters I know who lost all their money in one scheme or another. At least if their ex-wives haven't taken it all they have something when they leave the department. Which if they didn't have that pension they would never leave the service because they would be out on the street. One of the greatest benefits of this job is a guaranteed retirement. Maybe you are a great money manager and you could get a better return on your investments but if you are that good you probably would be able to do that AND have a pension. But most firefighters I know do not even think about their retirement, they think they will be young forever, and are lucky that someone else did look out for their retirement. I hope you are not one of them.

@aggee10 2 года назад

90% of the things you listed were told to me day one of the fire academy. Seems like the fire academy you went to didn't do you any justice. BTW your playing with fire talking about your grievances about being firefighter (ranking systems and pension) on a public platform.