Getting Into the fire service

[plpride69]

hey guys im trying to get my associates in fire science and im going to be done soon and im still sort of confused about the hiring process, like when im done with school what happens next do i just go fill out an app and take the written test? or is there more i have to do before i do that

[rowdyroddy]

Im new to this whole process as well. A few things I have done and have learned is this.

1. I dont know where you are from but here in California its called the CPAT. Its an agility test. Take this test (here in California it is a requirement).

2. Get into an EMT class, I took a summer course through my local Junior College. It was inexpensive and run by local Firemen. I learned a lot from these guys and passed my National Exam with ease. I heard the costly grad schools arent all they're cracked up to be, at least around here. EMT is becoming a requirement here, and in some cases Paramedic as well.

3. Volunteer at your local Department.

4. Go down and talk to a few guys from your local Dept. I have found that they can be extremely helpful and are very willing to help guide you in the right direction.

Hope this helps.

[JayDudley]

That is one LOOOOOOOOOng sentence. I'm sure there are individuals who will come up to the plate and tell you what you need to do. I'll just say to take your time , keep your nose clean and do not get frustrated. The road to getting a job as a firefighter is not an easy one. If it were there would be firefighters all over the place. Get your foot in the door by getting on with your local Volunteer Fire Department if you have one. Talk to local firefighters and see what they recommend to do. Good luck with your efforts and remember......hang in there.

[plpride69]

thanks for the feedback

[plpride69]

thanks rowdy and im from chicago. did you take one ems course or did you take all the ems courses and got the certificate?

[BCLepore]

Where should you start?



Visit the local fire station and ask the firefighters what they recommend you should do.



Talk with a counselor at a community college that offers fire science courses. Enroll in classes



Complete an Emergency Medical Technician course (EMT) – this will make you much more marketable. 85% of our calls are medical calls. You need to be a strong EMT.



Enroll in a state certified fire academy at the local college



Find out if your community has either a fire department volunteer program or Fire Explorers.



Volunteer in your community- big brothers/sisters of America, clean the beach, Sierra club, little league coach.



Learn how to take FIRE department interview (These are much different than any interview you will ever take)



Start a log that includes everything you have done to prepare yourself.



Get in the best shape of your life – the physical agility exams are very difficult.



Look the part – get your hair cut, lose the goatee and the earring!



Dress professionally every time you visit a fire station or take an interview



Enroll in a service that lets you know which departments are testing.



Talk to your family- if you are married it’s important to get buy in from your spouse. Without it you will not make it. This needs to be a team effort.



Surround yourself with reputable people.



Learn a trade such as carpentry, electrical, or plumbing.



Improve your public speaking skills – get involved with teaching something (first aid and CPR is a good one www.emssafety.com .



Maintain a clean driving and criminal record.



Maintain a good credit history – pay your bills on time.



Update your resume.



If, after becoming a strong EMT, completing a basic fire academy, staying physically fit, working as a volunteer or reserve firefighter, and most importantly learning how to take a FIRE department interview, you are still having trouble getting hired you MAY consider putting yourself through paramedic school. In some areas of the country, it may be a requirement to take the entry-level exam. Do your research for the region in which you want to work. DO NOT become a paramedic just because you think it will be easier to land a job in the fire service. You will be unhappy. More importantly, you will not be a good paramedic.



If you are in the military on active deployment, use this time to take online fire science courses. Get involved in the fire brigade on your ship; enroll in first aid, CPR and hazardous materials classes. Be prepared to enter the basic fire academy when your military commitment is complete. You will have to complete prerequisite courses first. These can be done online.
Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
www.aspiringfirefighters.com

[rowdyroddy]

thanks rowdy and im from chicago. did you take one ems course or did you take all the ems courses and got the certificate?


Here in California you have to take a first responder ( appx 45 hr's of class ) as a prerequsite to the EMT-B class. Once you have your EMT-B you need to get experience in that area. Thats where Im stuck at right now, I have a limited amount of time to get 6 months experience or my EMT-B is non renewable. And to top it off unless you have an in somewhere you'll be hard pressed to land a decent job in that field w/o the experience. Volunteering my time is looking like more and more of an option these days, and even thats hard to land. Not to mention it doesnt pay the bills either. I believe you can go on to take an EMT-I class leading to Paramedic without the experience but from what every experienced Man and Woman I've talked to has said its not a good idea. You really need to get a solid understanding of BLS.. BLS before ALS is what my instructors preached, and I had some of the best in the country. So get your agility testing done for now, you have your EMT-B, if you see a crack in the road, drive around it! DONT get into any type of trouble whatsoever, not even a speeding ticket. I learned the hard way and had to put this career on hold for the last 9 years. Im just now able to go for it again. So be persistent, read the literature, get your employment records exact, and work on formulating a damn good resume. That will at least give you the tools needed to accomplish all of the other items BC Lepore listed. Good luck!