Full time, paid positions are difficult to get. Most of the full time positions are in large urban areas. Large, urban areas have the tax base and call volume to justify paid departments. In the past 10 years, the fire calls have dropped (better building codes) while the medical calls have increased. I know a few full time guys. They roll on a fire call about once a week. They roll on medical calls a few times each shift.

A few months ago, a county towards Atlanta had 9 new fire fighter positions. They had over 450 applications.

Rural areas have volunteer or combination (mixed volunteer and paid) departments. The two counties my department servers has a total of 7 paid fire fighters. The other 200 or so fire fighters are all volunteers.

Most departments have their own requirements, even beyond the state fire academy. A department will hire someone, then send them off to the state fire academy. This usually takes about 4 weeks. Once they return from the state school, the department will do more in-house training. Usually another 2 or 3 weeks. With the number of applicants for each position, the best way to get a foot in the door would be a volunteer. You can get some experience. Then apply for positions as they become available.

If you have the bug, find a regular job. As an MD you have plenty of options. For example, the closest hospital to our department is looking for a ER nurse. Highlands Cashiers Hospital Employment
Once you get hired and settled in, check out the volunteer departments nearby. Most departments require the volunteer to live or work in their district. So, you may choose to look at a place to live, after checking out the local departments.

Some departments have a "good ol boy" mentality. Others have a more professional approach. Stay away from the "good ol boy" departments. That attitude can/will get you killed. Fighting fire is dangerous business. Todays light weight truss construction in buildings and increased fire load with highly combustible plastics mean the way to fight fire is dramatically different than in the past.

Starting out as a volunteer means doing a lot of unpaid work. Each state requires training hours. Departments may require additional training. We train in all these areas: SCBA, rapid intervention, water site setup, water shuttle, pre-plans, driver, pump operator, drop tank, dry hydrants, wet hydrants, car fires, wildland, chimney fires, pressurized container, flammable liquids, fire extinguishers (type ABCD and now K), helicopter landing zone setup, vehicle extrication, foam use, .....

Every hose must be tested. Each truck must be tested. Every gas powered portable pump must be maintained. Every gas powered chain saw and generators must be maintained. Air tanks filled. SCBA's flow tested. Battery powered lights maintained. Battery powered radios maintained. Hoses must be cleaned, dried, rolled and put back in service after a call.

It's a lot work. But, if you have the bug, go for it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Lieutenant - Sky Valley / Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire & Rescue