Ask a child what they want to be when they grow up and they might say a doctor, policeman, firefighters or rock star.

But these days, it seems fewer people today actually grow up and become firefighters.

Today, several departments are having personnel work full time because there aren’t enough qualified applicants to handle the demand.

In 30 weeks, recruits at the Newport News Fire Training Center hope they’ll master the fine points of firefighting.

Nick Cutkay, a former Navy corpsman, says the job is tougher than many people think.

“Some people found out they had fears of confined spaces or fears of heights,” he said.

Officials in a number of Hampton Roads cities tell 13News that 20 years ago, they might have gotten 2,000 applications to join.  That number is now more like a couple hundred.

Recruiters say part of their challenge is higher standards. The requirements go well beyond the long-standing written test and a grueling physical test. Now, recruits must pass thorough background checks; driving records are checked; drug tests have to be passed; a criminal background check is run and there’s even psychological testing.

“It’s not about filling the boots. It’s about finding people that will match our lifestyle,” says recruiter Capt. Jay Culpepper, a recruiter with the Newport News Fire Department.

Fire officials recall times when there have been more boots to fill than people to fill them.

Firefighters say the job isn’t just physical. It’s become more technical and more academic. Not  everyone’s cut out to handle the college-level courses required to be an EMT.

Recruit Scott Sinclair, a former Ford worker, believes he is. 

“I think the hardest part was just being out of school for so long. Jumping into this advanced-level class has been an adjustment for me,” he admits.

Firefighters say 9/11 hurt their numbers as well. The terror attacks showed the sacrifices firefighters make and the dangers they face. That turned a lot of people away, but not Brent Morgan.

“It fueled my fire. It really gave me a second wind and turned it from a job into a career,” he stated.

Hampton Roads is lucky.  Unlike other parts of the country, there’s no shortage of firefighters.  However, as more firefighters reach retirement age, and with younger men and women seemingly less committed to long-term careers, departments have been forced to recruit full time to fill the ranks.

“It’s something 25 or 30 years ago the fire service was not engaged in,” says Norfolk Battalion Chief Bruce Evans.

For the first time, the Newport News Fire Department is running radio ads to attract recruits.  It’s also considering TV spots.

In Chesapeake, for the first time, the Career Tech Center is teaching high school students the basics of firefighting.  The effort to reach kids early may pay off later as teens look at firefighting as a career.

Even a fire safety demonstration for Norfolk elementary school kids is seen as a recruiting tool.

Local recruiters say they do not feel salary is an issue and they point out a recent survey ranked being a firefighter as the second most satisfying job.

Preachers were ranked first.