Honest question, thanks for the insight..

Hey TW. This is a totally different topic, but I just want to hear some insight on those of you that potentially qualify for the question..

First off, I'm 25 years old and have been having a tough time deciding what to do with my future (totally different topic)

I have narrowed my two choices down to police or fire fighting. I want to hear from those of you with experience in the said topic..

What attracted you to the career you ultimately chose and what are the pros and cons of both..

I'm in Canada if that makes any difference.. Specifically Ontario.

I'm putting this in the 2nd Gen forum as I have a 2013 TRD and figured it would see the most hits

Cheers TW,

-B

 

I apologize in advance if this is not what you're looking for, but have you thought about the military? I love my career and would do it all over again.

 

Fire fighting is a million times more rewarding. Not saying what cops do is not, it's just the nature of their jobs kind of screw people's lives (criminals who deserve it). As a Fire fighter you are always helping someone. You are always looked at as the good guy, not the one trying to screw me by giving me a worthless ticket for tint or exhaust or something dumb.

On that note, ff is harder career field to get into. 80% of the country is volunteer departments. That does not leave many cities that have paid guys. There are usually hundreds to thousands that apply for only a few spots in a city that open per year. It is super competitive. Even after you get hired your pay and pension are constantly up for budget debate. Ladder trucks cost over a million dollars each. Your pension costs the tax payers money and they do not like paying more taxes so you can have a raise.

There are no all volunteer police departments. Cops are everywhere in every city. Lots and lots of options to become police.

Overall I suggest going to a local BUSY police department and doing a ride along. Then go to a local BUSY fire department and do a ride along. Hang with them for the day. Try to decide what you like better. They are both great career fields and we can not decide for you which one to go.

I went fire.

My overall recommendation - Join the military for a term.

 

A ton of fireman die of cancer. Something to think about. Then again bullets are pretty lethal as well.

Both are very rewarding.

Military service will help you get into both.

 

this is in the for sale section, might wanna pm a mod and get it switched to the right section

 

I would suggest you look into getting an education first. Find something that you have a passion for. Don't settle for less. Not saying that being a police officer or a firefighter is not a rewarding career, but weigh out all the options and find out whats best for you. You're only 25.

I just turned 21. I am majoring in Biomedical Enginnering (might go to medical school, lol).

I just left my Laboratory Technician job after two years to work for my city as a Police Cadet (to get the feel for Law Enforcement).

I am also in the Marine PLC (Platoon Leaders Class) Program to become an Officer and Lead (Completed PLC Juniors).

I recently decided to put off school for a year, to Enlist in the Marines as a Reservist to start my career in the military (Shipping out in Fall).

Not saying all this to make me look good or whatever. I am saying this because I am in the same position as you and don't really know where I want to go in Life as well. Giving you my life as an example to not just settle, try everything you can. Never know what is out there. Good Luck with your search friend. If i had to give you my decision, I AGREE with these guys, the Military will give you a better chance at finding something you will like.

 

Excellent advice by all so far. In regards to a police officer job, check out some larger metro departments. They are constantly recruiting new personnel. They also can help with pre-test training programs. Not to mention those larger departments have many specialty teams or departments for you to move into as your career progresses.

As for being a firefighter, many Departments may require you to put yourself through your state's fire academy and get a paramedic training and experience. Although some larger departments want to put their guys through their own training.

So in other words, you need to make yourself standout. Whether it be with a college degree, military service, or having all the required certifications and state cards.

Since you are already 25, you really need to figure out which path suits you best. Someone else suggested ride-alongs (mostly for the PD). Also, stay out of trouble, you will be competing against so many capable, well-qualified applicants.

All this from a kid who went into the military as a Military Police, when I got out I took an entry Corrections job, start college classes and started taking all the police tests I could. I was talked into taking a Fire test for "practice" and got over 100% on it (military credit, work experience credit and college credit).

I took that Fire job, put myself through EMT Basic school and then Paramedic school. 21 years later I am still happy with the way things work. I am still happy to serve and still happy to help someone out. Good luck.

 

I know this is going to sound kinda dumb but its my opinion and everybody has one. maybe if you can swing it money wise take some time off work and try working for a temp agency tell them you want to try working at different things. you might find something weird that you really love. I work at a chicken plant and its been my favorite job I've had so far. I'm like you though, turning 25 soon and still dont really know what I want to do. I do think there's a job for everybody, just try to pick one thats hard to outsource or automate.

 

If you're interested in getting into the maritime field- working on cargo ships around the world or alongside the navy, tugboat stuff, or offshore oil (which is where i'm at, although it's pretty rough out here with recent lay-offs), give me a shout. Not quite police or fire or military, but we do a lot of similar stuff and tend to attract a lot of the same kind of people. And we tend to get paid a lot more...

The schedule is what gets most people though. Anywhere from 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off to 6 months on / 6 off.

Also I'd say don't waste your time at college until you have some sort of plan. I made that mistake my first go-round and it cost me like 40 grand and 2 years for half a degree, and I was the lucky one that didn't waste twice that for a degree that doesn't mean anything.