My brother spent about ten years trying to become a firefighter. He went to firefighting school, got his B.Sc., and worked as a private firefighter on a military base - didn't help. I don't think a single person from his graduating class in firefighting school actually became a firefighter.
Physical standards aren't that hard - look up CPAT, finish in under 10:40 and you have a shot. The biggest hindrance is that most larger (high-paying) departments are historically white and male and departments are looking to diversify. If you're a white guy, opportunities are proportionally harder and you may need to get your paramedic license to have a chance.
Great work if you can get it, though, most places work 8-10 days per month and you get to sleep on the job (unless a call comes in). IT people will definitely have a hard time with this work, though, the field does not attract a lot of intellectuals.
Way, way too much competition. Besides being the one gov't occupation the public has unalloyed respect for, firefighters get great pay and benefits and a lot of free time. Plus there aren't that many positions available, and many of the ones that do open up often go to 'legacies' and others with insider connections. Even before the recession, advertised positions routinely got hundreds of qualified applicants.
All of the above reasons against firefighting are absolutely correct. There is rampant cronyism, and corruption, as would be expected from a union comprised of supposed civil servants. Minimum standards are moving towards becoming an EMT-Paramedic prior to even being hired. Nonetheless, great work if you can get it.
And don't get me started on people double dipping...
My brother spent about ten years trying to become a firefighter. He went to firefighting school, got his B.Sc., and worked as a private firefighter on a military base - didn't help. I don't think a single person from his graduating class in firefighting school actually became a firefighter.