Firefighters: Is it a good idea to volunteer before being a paid firefighter?

Question

Will you get preference if you were a volunteer?

Answer 1

There is no advantage to being a volunteer first. It is a good way to be involved until you find a fulltime job....but never pass up a career job to volunteer, they are too hard to get

Answer 2

I would highly recommend it.  Get to know exactly what the firefighters do, get some experience, apply for jobs if this is the type of work you love.  At least you will have an educated experience before you get hired.

Answer 3

Will won't necessarily get preference in the hiring process. The advantage of being volunteer prior to being career is the experience and training that is received prior to being hired. Most of the departments including mine don't give much weight to being a volunteer. We look at certification training levels, and other qualifications.