Hey everyone,
I just got hired as a DoD firefighter at Naval Station Norfolk and I’m trying to get a better idea of what to expect going into it.
I’m prior service, so I’m used to structured environments, but this will be my first time on the fire side. I’ve tried to find info online, but it seems like it’s all over the place and hard to piece together what it’s actually like.
A few things I’m wondering about:
What is the academy like? (PT level, structure, daily schedule, overall difficulty)
Do DoD firefighters at Navy bases get EMT training or do any kind of medical work, or is it mostly fire suppression?
How’s the day-to-day life on shift at a base like Norfolk?
What’s the work culture like compared to civilian departments?
Anything you wish you knew before starting?
Just looking for honest feedback so I can go in prepared.
Appreciate any insight.