Thursday, April 25, 2024

How To Become A Firefighter In New York State

What Is A Certificate Of Good Conduct

New York state coping with volunteer firefighter decline

A Certificate of Good Conduct is a certificate that removes legal disabilities from persons convicted of offenses in New York. This is different from record sealing, which makes a criminal record unavailable for anyone except certain legal authorities to view. A CGC does not hide a persons record, but it does restore certain rights, including the right to hold public office. To apply for a CGC, a person must wait a certain amount of time since his/her last conviction or imprisonment and have good conduct in the community during the waiting period.

Its important to note that the state does not have to grant every application for a CGC. Even if the state does grant the application, it may only restore some, but not all, lost legal rights.

For that reason, its best to have an attorney help with the application. An attorney can make sure the paperwork is filed correctly and make the best arguments to restore all of a persons legal rights.

A Certificate of Good Conduct is not the same as a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities. A Certificate of Relief from Disabilities is a different certificate that people convicted of a crime in New York can apply for. It has different application requirements and can be easier to receive, but it does not restore the right to hold public office, so someone with a Certificate of Relief cannot become a firefighter.

Can You Be A Firefighter At 18

Yes, most professional fire departments will allow you to apply at 18 years old.

In the United States, all career firefighting positions require you to be at least 18 years old to enter the testing process. Some departments may set the minimum age at 21 years old, but that is less common.

Being 18 years old is one of the minimum requirements to apply for most firefighter positions.

How To Become An Albany Ny Firefighter

  • Pass both the computer-based test and physical ability test.
  • Be a U.S. citizen at the time of appointment.
  • Be at least 21 years of age by time of appointment.
  • Be able to prove your identity and the right to obtain employment in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
  • Pass medical and psychological tests, as well as a drug screening.
  • Demonstrate proof of good character and pass a background investigation.
  • Be able to understand and be understood in English.
  • Hold a valid New York State motor vehicle drivers license.

The state capital of Albany has significantly more team members at its disposal to look after the city and surrounding areas. They also have a lot of different divisions and apparatus to handle a wider range of calls.

Firefighters here can expect a varied career with different responses to rescues, fires, medical-related situations and more. They have a specialist paramedic engine company, heavy rescue company and an all-hazards response department. Find out more here.

Recommended Reading: Where Is The Wax Museum In New York

Working As A Firefighter In Upstate New York:

Forty percent of New York residents may live in NYC and the surrounding area but that leaves 60% of the state population in other communities. They all need the right help from highly-skilled fire departments too. The dream for many firefighter applicants in New York State may be to work in NYC.

However, there are 36 other municipalities in the state with either full-time or part-time firefighters. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities for firefighters across the state. Volunteering is a great way to gain some experience and improve your chances in the hiring process. The requirements are also less strict, and you can work through training during a probation period.

These smaller communities include some of the smaller towns in upstate New York, rural areas and those around the national parks. New York is home to the largest state park in the country Adirondack Park.

This beautiful area is vital for wildlife and tourism and needs the same amount of dedicated protection as any suburb in the big city. Wildland crews and other rural teams need to be ready to take calls for wildfires, medical incidents in remote places and outdoor rescues.

Skills here can include wildland management, water rescue, rope access and EMT and paramedic training is as important here as it is in the city.

Job Description: Duties & Responsibilities Of A Firefighter

New York needs volunteer firefighters: View

As a New York firefighter, you will receive orders and have to act on them as soon as possible. There cannot be any exceptions, whatsoever, because lives and property are at stake. Below, you will find the duties and responsibilities of a firefighter provided by Cincinnati Fire Department:

  • Respond to emergency fire calls that might come in when you are on duty or off duty.
  • In an emergency fire situation, you have to make sure that the fire doesnt spread. You might have to use water and fire extinguishers depending upon the nature of fire that you are facing.
  • You will have carry equipment weighing 80-100 lbs and climb up ladders, break doors, windows, cut locks, and other parts of a building in order to save the people stuck inside.
  • Evaluate the need of an emergency and get all the help required to save lives and damage.
  • Gather all the evidence and information needed to find out the source of the fire by talking to the witnesses.
  • You have to assess the condition of the structure that is on fire & make sure that no cracks, breaks, or charring have caused enough damage for a partial or complete collapse.
  • After the fire is completely put out, you will have to work as a team to clean up the entire area of fire-affected furniture, clothes, appliances, etc.
  • You will also have to work in place of EMTs if they arrive after you or work with them if required.
  • You might have to work with the cops to solve any cases around your fire scene and appear in the court hearings if ordered.
  • Don’t Miss: Thrush Poetry Submissions

    Firefighter Education Requirements In New York

    Let us look at the educational requirements to kickstart your firefighter career in New York as per FDNY.

  • A 4-year High School Diploma .
  • A total of 15 college semester credits at an accredited college or university or full-time military service with an honorable discharge.
  • Certified First Responder with Defibrillation Certificate by the end of probation period. This is provided by the New York Fire Department New York once you are hired. An amount of $30 will be deducted from every pay period until FDNY recovers the training cost. In case, a candidate fails the CFR-D certification, and is not able to get certified by the end of the probation period, he/she will be terminated.
  • If you have worked as a volunteer firefighter in NY, you will have more chances of getting hired.
  • Start Preparing For Your Background Investigation

    You may pass with flying colors in other phases of the selection process, but if you fail the background check, its all for nothing. The background check is quite comprehensive and intimate, with the necessary details required. These details include the name of every employer youve ever worked for and educational transcripts to personal details like information about your family, childhood friends, credit history, and debt. Some of these documents can take months to acquire, so get them all well and sorted before the background investigation begins.

    Read Also: How To Submit Poetry To New York Times Magazine

    Firefighter Salaries And Job Growth In New York

    According to the BLS, New York employed 11,880 firefighters as of May 2018, landing the state in the top category in the nation for the most numerous firefighters. For the fourth most populous state in the country, however, that number gives New York a low location quotient in comparison to the national average, with 1.27 firefighting jobs for every 1,000 occupations.

    New York’s metropolitan region employed the second-highest number of urban firefighters in the same time period, though the numbers are larger because the area combines with New Jersey’s Newark and Jersey City areas.

    The BLS reports that pay rates in New York’s metropolitan region also ranked among the highest in the country, with an annual mean wage of $78,840. Overall, New York firefighters earned an annual mean wage of $73,710 as of May 2018, making it the fourth-highest-paying state in the country for firefighters. Salaries can vary widely depending on the area, however, with Albany-Schenectady firefighters earning an annual mean wage of $57,410, and those in Utica-Rome bringing in $61,920.

    Earn A High School Diploma

    What It Means to Be a Junior Firefighter

    The first step that you are going to want to take on your quest to become a Firefighter is to earn a High School diploma.

    Many people think that this is not an important part of life, but it is.

    A diploma can be your stepping stone to a great future.

    Youll also need to have a valid drivers license in order to work as a Firefighter.

    Even though you will need to be 18 years old to work as a Firefighter, you can start training as young as 16 years old!

    Youll need to be physically fit before entering a recruitment program.

    You May Like: New Yorker Magazine Poetry Submissions

    Why Are There Age Requirements For Firefighters

    The fire service doesnt intend to discriminate based on age. The reasons they may have upper age limits are because younger people can be more likely to demonstrate the other attributes that the job demands.

    This doesnt mean that a 40-year-old cant be fitter than a 20-year-old, for example. Of course they can.

    But in general terms, a would-be 20-year-old firefighter is going to be fitter than your average 40-year-old. They also may have more years of the productive, physical work that is expected of firefighters.

    However, you are going to be expected to show the following characteristics:

    Be in a good state of health and be physically fit. It might surprise you to learn that the number one killer of firefighters is not fires or even smoke. Its coronary heart disease.

    The younger you are, the more healthy that you are likely to be. Then you also need to be able to haul 75 lbs. of equipment around with you, possibly for hours, when on a call. You need to be able to climb stairs and crawl on your knees in hot conditions, and even carry someone while you do it. There is a definite advantage to being young for these things.

    Be in a good state of mental health and be mentally fit. Reaction tests are a good way of gauging mental fitness and youll find that younger people do better than older ones in this respect.

    That means investing in training produces a much lower return on investment. In many cases, too low of a return to be worth it.

    Do Volunteer Firefighters Get Paid

    What is the volunteer firefighter pay in California, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York and other states of the US? This is the big question that comes to mind before joining the volunteer fire department near you. It is important to know that most of the fire stations/departments do not pay for the services of a volunteer firefighter. However, they may get reimbursed for attending training and meetings, responding to fires and emergencies, and time spent on shifts. The amount of reimbursement is generally at the discretion of the fire department. Some fire service departments provide insurance programs, tax deductions, and education assistance to volunteer firefighters.

    Don’t Miss: What Airlines Fly From New York To Myrtle Beach

    Should I Become A Firefighter In New York

    • Education
    • Annual Mean Salary National
    • Job Outlook
    • Annual Mean Salary New York
    • High School Diploma or General Educational Development Certificate
    • Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science, Fire Engineering, etc.
    • EMT Certification Required
    • Required
    • Operation Monitoring, Public Safety, and Security, Active Listening, Operation and Control, Arm-Hand Steadiness, Problem Sensitivity, Multi-Limb Coordination
    • $54,650
    • $75,160

    Firefighters usually perform their field duties under high pressure. Going into a burning building obviously poses significant health and safety risks. This is why physical fitness is very important for anyone aspiring to join the ranks of New Yorks bravest. Work shifts tend to rotate. However, most firefighters have to be on call 24 hours a day.

    What Is The Age Limit To Become A Firefighter Requirements

    HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER IN NEW YORK ...

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .

    The reputation of firefighters is perhaps one of the strongest motivating factors behind people choosing to become firefighters. Unfortunately, not everyone can take on this profession as it has some requirements, and age can be one of them. You may be wondering what those age limits are

    The age limit to become a firefighter is usually between 18 and 35.However, many departments have no upper age limit to apply.

    Read on to learn more about the age restrictions on becoming a firefighter. Just because you are over 35, that doesnt necessarily rule you out from becoming a firefighter. There are multiple firefighters where I work that were hired in their 40s, so these requirements dont apply everywhere.

    Your # 1 priority is keeping your family safe. As a firefighter, I recommend everyone have a home safety kit that can ensure everyone you love gets out quickly and unharmed, in the event of a fire or other emergency. Here is the Safety Kit that I recommend.

  • Related Articles
  • You May Like: Wax Museum In Manhattan

    What Is The Average Age To Become A Firefighter

    Most fire departments are looking to recruit someone quite young for their roles. If they can bring somebody on board when they are a fresh-faced 21 or 22-year-old theyve got a blank slate to work with.

    They get someone that has had no real chance to pick up any bad working habits and someone with 20-30 productive years in front of them.

    That means any investment in training, etc. will provide, at least in theory, the maximum yield.

    There is no official average age for recruits, though, this is probably because such data would be hard to aggregate over dozens of different fire departments in a state let alone the number nationwide. However, typically, the younger a recruit is the better from the departments point of view.

    In my experience, most professional firefighters are hired between 25 and 35 years old, but there are definitely exceptions.

    Also read: What Is The Age Limit To Be A Paramedic/EMT?

    Q What Is The Average Salary For A Firefighter

    As a Firefighter, you can expect to make a decent living in the United States.

    Most Firefighters make around $54,000 a year.

    However, when you are just starting out in the career, you can expect to make less.

    New Firefighters make around $35,000 a year.

    Its possible to make up to $100,000 as a Firefighter with experience and education.

    Also Check: Nyc To Cabo

    How Much Do Firefighters Make In Ny: A Research

    According to BLS, the NY firefighters salary, on an average, including overtime and holiday pay, is $49,080 per annum & $23.60 hourly. While this may seem low, it is just the starting salary. A firefighters salary in New York after five years of experience was recorded at $110,293. As a firefighter, you also have an opportunity to get promoted to the position of the Lieutenant, Captain, & then, the Battalion Chief. Salary of a Battalion Chief is $161,281, according to FDNYs official website.

    According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a firefighter was $87,646 if the experience is not considered. If you work hard and get to the higher ranks, this could become your dream career with a meaningful job and a decent salary.

    Application To Nyc Fire Department

    New York State Fire Takes Major Steps to Protect Firefighters

    Keep in mind that becoming a firefighter is tough job and hence NYFD has extremely tough criteria for it. You cant just apply to FDNY and get hired without any effort. In fact, they also have a strict eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to be considered for any further application process.

    Any candidate above the age of 17 ½ years and under 29 is eligible to apply. However, no candidate will be employed before reaching the age of 21. Theres only one exception to this rule and thats for those who have served in US military. They can apply before they reach the age of 36. Military servants are allowed to subtract up to six years of age from the amount of time they served in military.

    Besides age, there are many other factors that must be taken into account. For instance, as per the current policies of FDNY, only those applicants who are citizens of U.S are eligible to apply. As for the immigrants, they must also abide by all the rules and regulations of Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Moreover, for FDNY, only the residents of Orange, Nassau, Putnam, Suffolk, Westchester County, and Rockland will be considered.

    The candidates who meet all these requirements will be eligible to appear for both the computer-based exam and physical ability test, and they must pass both to succeed.

    Recommended Reading: Delete New York Times Account

    Life Experience Is Important

    Firefighters need to be capable, knowledgeable, and quick on their feet. This means that the department wouldnt want to waste time on you if you dont know basic plumbing, cooking, or mechanical know-how. Having these skills makes you a valuable member of the team and society at large, so ask yourself, what do I bring to the team?.

    How Long Is The Hiring Process

    Unfortunately, theres no set limit or time frame in which you can expect to get hired at FDNY. The tests are arranged once every four years and hence you should start preparing if youre planning to appear for it any time soon. Some candidates wait for many years before successfully becoming a part of FDNY.

    If youre also interested in joining FDNY, the reach out to us. At Civil Service Success, we prepare candidates for FDNY assessments and many other civil service exams relevant to their interests. All our courses and preparation strategies are designed to provide the candidates with all the essential knowledge and everything else they need for their application. You may get in touch with us to find out more.

    Read Also: Where Is The Wax Museum In New York

    Popular Articles
    Related news