im a junior in highschool. I have the chance to take some college courses and earn dual credits for highschool and college and thinking about firefighting. is anyone a firefighter and could give me some stories or tips?

I've got several buddies that are firefighters. Try to get in good with any current fire fighters you can and become a volunteer fire fighter if you can. 

Contact our very own Memphis FF.

He is a firefighter extrodinare who I have the utmost repect for, not only as a firefighter but also as a friend.

I'm sure he would gladly answer any question you have.

Mike

DCPipeman on here is a Lieutenant in the DC fire department, I am sure he would be willing to talk about it if you PM him. 

I am a retired FF. 25 years. If you want PM me with your questions and I will see if I can be of some help. Great career!

I disagree with the statement to join the volunteer dept.

Many bad habits are learned along with an inflated ego.

For what it's worth both my brother and I were volunteers before he joined the paid department.

He has told me several times how much harder it made it for him.

If you join a paid department that is worth a d**n they break you down and build you back up like the military.

My brother is a training officer now.

My recommendation to you is this

Study hard. Exorcise a lot. It is a physically demanding job.

Don't do drugs. They drug test.

Figure out what you want to do as a second job. It is mostly a low paying job. Learn to swing a hammer or turn a wrench.

Prepare yourself to deal with all walks of society. You will deal with crazy people drunks liars wife beaters and aholes. That is before you leave the firehouse. You can only imagine what you will see in public.

Marry a rich girl.

Be prepared to battle demons when you can't sleep at night thinking about the child you could not save.

Be prepared to know that any day your best friend did not make it out of the fire.

Be prepared to have friendships and a brotherhood that only few can understand.

police officers and firemen have some of the best brother hood help , along with military there is . Once your in you have a new family , they helped my uncle after he was blown out of a building and took his old helmet after he passed and plated it in gold on a plaque with some pics for the family . Still have memories as a kid watching the guys in action leaving the firestation .