My Fiance has his heart set on being a Fireman and has passed all exams and Physicals with flying colors. There's only one issue that concerns him- he is 45 years old. My Fiance, R is a hard worker, healthy and works well as a team-member or alone when needed. He is strong and has always been physicaly active. This possible age limitation, may keep a highly qualified person with life experience, from doing what he loves. Although I'm biased, I know R would make an outstanding and reliable member of the Firefighting Team he would be assigned to. Are there any departments in California that he should apply to that will consider a qualified 45 year old applicant? R has applied to S.F. Thank you very much for your feedback. We will both be be thrilled when he is happily doing he he Loves!
He can apply, but I don't know how it is in California, but in Maryland it took my nephew 5 years of applying to various departments for him to get a job and he started applying at 18. Does California have volunteer departments? That is what my nephew did until he found a job. It allowed him to do what he loved, but work another job as well.
Great first question...
My brother works for Sunnyvale FD and my cousin works for Sonora FD. My cousin is trying to get a job in the Bay Area. It's very competitive, with a ton of applicants for a few open spots. Your fiance should apply to as many departments as possible and start getting a feel for the interview process and what they are looking for. Instead of looking at his age as a barrier, he should tout it as an asset. He has valuable life experience which can contribute to him being able to keep calm in emergency situations and maintain good judgment and decision making skills. I think it would also be important to make it known that he appreciates the younger perspective and wouldn't have a problem learning from/taking orders from younger co-workers/bosses (I'm sure there's a better way to say this though). As long as he meets the physical requirements, his age doesn't have to be an issue, as long as he isn't insecure about it and make it an issue.
I agree with the suggestion to try to get on as a volunteer. He should do this immediately while also applying for jobs. He will get a lot of hands-on experience and prove his dedication to his new career choice. My cousin started as a volunteer and was subsequently hired.
Good luck to him!
I do not see an issue with it ... could he be a volunteer one if not hired?
S.:
Welcome to mamapedia!!!
If he has taken the exams - they should know his age. If they had a problem with his age - they should have stated so BEFORE he took the tests.
I'm sure he's already looked over this:
http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/training.php
and if he had - he would have read this:
31005. The board of supervisors of any county, chartered or
otherwise, shall not by ordinance establish any minimum or maximum
age limits for any county employment, whether as officer, deputy, or
assistant, and age shall not be a minimum qualification for any
county employment.
UPDATE
Excellent answer cheryl! You are on top of things this morn! :)
S. - you said he "passed his physical and tests". Has he attended the fire academy yet?
ORIGINAL
He - not you - he should perhaps call some departments?
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In about a minute I googled and found several sources. Not looking too good -
Feds DOD - Max age for civil firefighter is 38 - http://www.govexec.com/defense/2010/04/firefighters-could...
Mandatory retirement at 57 (same article)
Confirmed - http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-the-maximum-age-li...
General national view - http://www.ehow.com/info_###-###-####_age-requirement-fir...
And here's one exactly on point on a firefighter discussion board, asking what the "real" age limit is
http://my.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/when-are-you...
oh - and the search I used in Google - maximum age limitations firefighters california
Took a few minutes.
not sure what the new hires now a days require, but there are firefighters, that are in there 60's. Some not so physically fit. In one of professions I had to help a fireman up the stairs. He had a hard time doing that in his gear. I think if he can prove his worth he will be fine. Firemen are sorely needed. Healthy ones. He might not get picked for a high call station, but would probably get assigned a smaller low key one. There are jobs in that field that dont require much physical stamina, but if he is as fit as you say, he should be just fine.
I cannot imagine any fire dept. in the US accepting a 45 year old as a probationary ff. Sorry.
