Hello and asking for advice

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

I'd like to say hi and apologise for bending the rules a little. I am not a firefighter, but I can find no other place to talk to firefighters and help me with my problem.

I'm 16 and really want to join the LFB when I'm old enough, so I have enrolled on a Public Services Course at College. However, I have been told that at 18 I'm not very likely to get in for ages, so i'd be wasting a few years applying and getting rejected perhaps a few times. However, I've recently been approached by the Army who have offered me £2,000 if I do my Public Services course and commit to serving as soon as I leave, ruling out the possibility of try for the Fire Brigade and if I got rejected signing up. However, if I dont accept the money and still get rejected then Ill have wasted a good oppurtunity.
What chance have I got at getting in whilst still young and does my Course help?
I'm open to any opinions and advice on what to do?

Cheers

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:22 pm

If it's any help mate I joined at 19, albeit in 1988. There's still recruitment from all age ranges, and we've had lads from 20 - 40 join our happy band over the last couple of years.

Try, it can't hurt. :wink:

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

i definetly would try, its just if I have no chance i'll have lost the 2000 and when your on 12000 that would help

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:11 am

If you have to do 2 years in the army then take the £2000, do the two years and when you come out the brigade normally takes service personnel easier than just Joe bloggs public.
You wouldn't be able to join the brigade till 18 anyway.
Good luck.

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

i wouldnt be in the army till 18 either though. the 2000 is for doing my public services course (which im going on just because its meant to be better for me getting in the brigade) from 16 to 18 and then commiting to serve till 22 at least. what im saying is if i have the chance id much rather join the brigade, even if it took more than one try, but if i dont have a good chance i might as well take this extra money when im going to end up in the army anyway.

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:01 pm

Trouble is Suggs, you might not get in for a few years anyway, we have anewbie and it's taken him 15 years in total since he first applied, a bit extreme to be fair, but I know it can take a while, if you stayed in the Army till you were excepted at least you'd have a job?
Not easy is it?

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

Yeah, thats why I've been asking to see what chance you lot think I've got. I need to ask my recruiting sgt to see whether I can sign up to the scheme for the money and then drop out and lose the money if I can get into the brigade, and then if i get rejected ive got my two grand and still have a job and hopefully have a better chance of getting into the brigade after leaving the forces like you say.
Any more advice from anyone would still be helpful if you have something to add.

Learner User Online: Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 49

Suggs,
I think with your last post that you have got it pretty much sussed.
See if you can join up to the PSC scheme and if it is possible for you to 'buy' yourself out of it if you are successful with your brigade application.

Newbie User Online: Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

cheers everyone, got an idea of what to do now.
Thanks

Learner User Online: Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 49

Let us know how you get on