Firefighters?

[hero2three]

Myself as well as two other firemen from my city are members on here. We have had a few other FF's add us as friends. Curious to see who, and where more FF"s are.

[zaorock]

I'm a firefighter in Ga. Going on about 5 years now.

[gojiracentral]

VA Beach, VA - just over a year now

[hero2three]

Ive been a FF, EMT here for 5 years, currently on the drivers list.
Haz-mat tech, rope tech., swift water tech. Trench rescue tech. Still lacking the confined space, but I figure the other guys can handle that. If you know of any other FF's on here have them post up.

[mike71884]

FF/EMT almost done with my probation year. Love my Job notghing else could ever compare.

[hero2three]

Keep up the good Bronner, 3 more months, and it all over with.

[skuZZitude]

I am currently an EMT-I working towards the goal of FF (taking NFPA 1001 1 & 2) in winter. I am currently trying to get in shape for it which is my main motivation but it's obviously got to be a lifetime thing (you've got to always be in shape to be a FF).

My question for you guys is, what BMI seems to be average for firefighters? I looked at stats of those who have posted in here so far and there is a wide range. I noticed two you are 5'11" and around 195lbs. Do you find that this weight provides you with a good overall balance? Or are you trying to lean down or bulk up?

I also noticed that mike you are 5'10" and 174lbs. Do you find it adequate or do you want to bulk up?

Lastly, gojira you are 5'6" and 146lbs do you find being that small means you need to work harder than other guys, or do you not have a problem keeping up?

Not meaning to offend anyone at all legit questions I am just trying to figure out what my weight loss goals should be once I start getting closer to the low 200's (still a ways to go)

[Fashong]

I am a firefighter

[mangomeat]

FF for 5 years in san antonio, texas. It's the best job in the world. 24 on 48 off. Every shift is like a friday!!

[hero2three]

Im glad this post is getting a little attention. We are a rare breed, and everyone loves a firefighter. Skuzz.......I would seem to think that 6'2'' and 300 lbs would be excessive weight. If you can carry around a healthy 250 then you would be in a better place. Alot of the time stamina is more important than size or strength, of course when your dragging a 2.5 inch hose line through a house strength does help out. Thats why I am bulking right now, my goal is 215 and keeping under my current 15% bf.

[mike71884]

Originally Posted by skuZZitude

I am currently an EMT-I working towards the goal of FF (taking NFPA 1001 1 & 2) in winter. I am currently trying to get in shape for it which is my main motivation but it's obviously got to be a lifetime thing (you've got to always be in shape to be a FF).

My question for you guys is, what BMI seems to be average for firefighters? I looked at stats of those who have posted in here so far and there is a wide range. I noticed two you are 5'11" and around 195lbs. Do you find that this weight provides you with a good overall balance? Or are you trying to lean down or bulk up?

I also noticed that mike you are 5'10" and 174lbs. Do you find it adequate or do you want to bulk up?

Lastly, gojira you are 5'6" and 146lbs do you find being that small means you need to work harder than other guys, or do you not have a problem keeping up?

Not meaning to offend anyone at all legit questions I am just trying to figure out what my weight loss goals should be once I start getting closer to the low 200's (still a ways to go)

Well from what ive seen around the department you will find a variety of bodytypes from Muscle heads to Ill be polite and say out of shape. I personally am trying to gain strength for my job and loose a little flab for me. You dont need to be shredded to do your job but being in shape, especially cardiovascular wise is a must. if you cant run a mile without stopping how will you drag someones ass out of a building while breathing respirated air? Like Hero said yeah strengh helps alot too. A good solid lifting/cardio regiment should set you right. Remember in our line of duty being fit and in shape will save our ass. So work hard and stay devoted.

[gojiracentral]

Originally Posted by skuZZitude

I am currently an EMT-I working towards the goal of FF (taking NFPA 1001 1 & 2) in winter. I am currently trying to get in shape for it which is my main motivation but it's obviously got to be a lifetime thing (you've got to always be in shape to be a FF).

My question for you guys is, what BMI seems to be average for firefighters? I looked at stats of those who have posted in here so far and there is a wide range. I noticed two you are 5'11" and around 195lbs. Do you find that this weight provides you with a good overall balance? Or are you trying to lean down or bulk up?

I also noticed that mike you are 5'10" and 174lbs. Do you find it adequate or do you want to bulk up?

Lastly, gojira you are 5'6" and 146lbs do you find being that small means you need to work harder than other guys, or do you not have a problem keeping up?

Not meaning to offend anyone at all legit questions I am just trying to figure out what my weight loss goals should be once I start getting closer to the low 200's (still a ways to go)

I would say that I am pretty small compared to most firefighters, but you have to remember that this job is all about the teamwork. You can't put a fire out by yourself. Sure, you have to be able to hump hose and do overhaul like everyone else, and in that case, no, I'm not the best at either of those. I find that I tire quickly when it comes to those things. On the other hand, I can search faster than others and confined spaces is a walk in the park for me. Everyone has their pluses and minuses. Use them to your advantage. Going through the academy, I dropped down to 135 lbs with all the running we were doing and also I wasn't lifting as much because I didn't want to injure myself accidentally. When I graduated, I gained the 10 lbs back quickly and now I feel stronger than ever.

It seems to me like the older generation of FFs aren't as healthy as the younger, new generation coming in. Like mike said, there's the muscle heads and then there's the guys who have been in for 30 years and seen it all and don't like being told that they should exercise more. Then of course there's the people in between. I don't know how it is in other departments, but here, we tend to go through two bottles then get a little bit of rehab. In that respect, I would rather be working with someone that I know can go balls to the wall for 30 minutes or so as opposed to a marathon runner who's going to be a little more conservative. To each his own though.

Question for you: I just started my EMT-I classes, how do you like that level?

[hero2three]

In arkansas we dont have the "I". They just have "b" and Paramedic. The only true difference is you can start I.V's, and tube a person. As for bottle, we have the 45min bottles, which in use is really 30 minutes, but 30 hard minutes pulling hose, fighting fire, and pulling ceiling is all I care for.

[gojiracentral]

Originally Posted by hero2three

In arkansas we dont have the "I". They just have "b" and Paramedic. The only true difference is you can start I.V's, and tube a person. As for bottle, we have the 45min bottles, which in use is really 30 minutes, but 30 hard minutes pulling hose, fighting fire, and pulling ceiling is all I care for.

We also have to "45 min" bottles. Never seems to work out like that though, huh?

Here in VA, we actually have 4 levels of EMT. We've got Basic, Enhanced, Intermediate, and Paramedic. B, I, and P are all nationally registered stuff, while E is only recognized by a few states, though don't ask me which ones because I don't know. As an E, we can start IVs, intubate, and push some drugs. It's a nice bridge between B and I.

[hero2three]

How About reps for being a fireman?.....lol

[Captain Gwen]

are girls allowed in here?

I live in an area where we are saturated with volunteer departments-very few paid companies around. However, I am not only a volunteer, but I have been Lieutenant for the past 4 years

[emma10]

I am a firefighter in New Zealand. For one year next month. So still very new!

[hero2three]

Welcome to the FF post........Of course girls are welcomed, Emma, even a FF that has less than a year is still called a FF.

[zaorock]

Originally Posted by skuZZitude

I am currently an EMT-I working towards the goal of FF (taking NFPA 1001 1 & 2) in winter. I am currently trying to get in shape for it which is my main motivation but it's obviously got to be a lifetime thing (you've got to always be in shape to be a FF).

My question for you guys is, what BMI seems to be average for firefighters? I looked at stats of those who have posted in here so far and there is a wide range. I noticed two you are 5'11" and around 195lbs. Do you find that this weight provides you with a good overall balance? Or are you trying to lean down or bulk up?

I also noticed that mike you are 5'10" and 174lbs. Do you find it adequate or do you want to bulk up?

Lastly, gojira you are 5'6" and 146lbs do you find being that small means you need to work harder than other guys, or do you not have a problem keeping up?

Not meaning to offend anyone at all legit questions I am just trying to figure out what my weight loss goals should be once I start getting closer to the low 200's (still a ways to go)

What I found a little strange when I first started as a firefighter, is that it seems the "out of shape" guys can really get the job done. I was shocked to see guys with big guts working their butt off and holding their own with us young rooks.

[zaorock]

Originally Posted by gojiracentral

We also have to "45 min" bottles. Never seems to work out like that though, huh?

Here in VA, we actually have 4 levels of EMT. We've got Basic, Enhanced, Intermediate, and Paramedic. B, I, and P are all nationally registered stuff, while E is only recognized by a few states, though don't ask me which ones because I don't know. As an E, we can start IVs, intubate, and push some drugs. It's a nice bridge between B and I.

I am also an EMT-I, ivs, combi tube and all that stuff. It seems that most major fire departments require emt now, first responder really doesn't cut it anymore. Also I wanted to tell everyone to be safe, and as we say in my department, "See you on the big one"

[elitemuscle79]

Originally Posted by hero2three

Myself as well as two other firemen from my city are members on here. We have had a few other FF's add us as friends. Curious to see who, and where more FF"s are.

I'm taking the written test to become a FF. Does anyone know where I can get some info that would help me to prepare for this test?

[hero2three]

Are you talking about a city's entrance exam, or the FF1, test? If its the entrance exam, then no sweat, its just common sense stuff. Good either way.

[98T/A]

WOW you guys are my heroes. I am about to get out of the military and i am going into the sherrifs dept in Pinellas County FL, from there i am going to try and go to school to become a FF. I honestly have no clue yet how to become one yet and what classes i need to take but i hope to be able to do it sometime soon.

[zaorock]

Originally Posted by 98T/A

WOW you guys are my heroes. I am about to get out of the military and i am going into the sherrifs dept in Pinellas County FL, from there i am going to try and go to school to become a FF. I honestly have no clue yet how to become one yet and what classes i need to take but i hope to be able to do it sometime soon.

One the of best things to do is get your EMT at a Tech school, you look alot better on an application if you have your EMT. In order to become a firefighter I believe you have to be in a department. They will train you once you are hired. With military and PD background, you will already look real good to the HR people. Good luck.

P.S. Our men and women who fight for our country are my heros. thank you

[Big Dude 54]

I'm trying to get on in two either the Portsmouth, VA or Chesapeake, VA departments.

I've already completed the CPAT and written tests in Chesapeake and I've gone through the written in Portsmouth.

This is a dream that I've been busting my tail for so I hope it pays off!

[GRAYHORSE]

Firefighter here for a couple years now. Couldnt get any better.

[hero2three]

Originally Posted by Big Dude 54

I'm trying to get on in two either the Portsmouth, VA or Chesapeake, VA departments.

I've already completed the CPAT and written tests in Chesapeake and I've gone through the written in Portsmouth.

This is a dream that I've been busting my tail for so I hope it pays off!

Kinda funny!!! Being a fireman will never PAY OFF!!! But its fun.

[gojiracentral]

Originally Posted by Big Dude 54

I'm trying to get on in two either the Portsmouth, VA or Chesapeake, VA departments.

I've already completed the CPAT and written tests in Chesapeake and I've gone through the written in Portsmouth.

This is a dream that I've been busting my tail for so I hope it pays off!

Cool man, I've got a friend going through the Chesapeake process right now as well, he's just waiting to hear back from them for an interview. Keep at it and good luck!

[Beast Genetics]

FF checking in boys 4 years at NASA facility in New Orleans.

[MMA-Firefighter]

Im in too, Firefighting in Ontario Canada.