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randell713
12-09-2008, 08:14 PM
Does anyone know what percentage of departments in the country require an associates degree, or any college, as a requirement for hiring?
CaptBob
12-09-2008, 08:38 PM
Does anyone know what percentage of departments in the country require an associates degree, or any college, as a requirement for hiring?


Few. Some require so many college units. Some departments list a degree as desirable but not required.
Firemedic515
12-09-2008, 09:28 PM
Probably less than 5%.
randell713
12-10-2008, 12:20 AM
you really think it' less than 5%. I would think 40% to take the job and 70% have to require it to promote to officer...What do ya think about that?
SansMustache
12-10-2008, 02:54 AM
I've yet to come across one department that required any college experience to become a firefighter. That doesn't mean that there aren't any. It just means that it's probably a lot less than 40%.

College experience doesn't hurt though. I'm certain my degrees played a roll in my success.
Firemedic515
12-10-2008, 02:27 PM
you really think it' less than 5%. I would think 40% to take the job and 70% have to require it to promote to officer...What do ya think about that?

What do I think? I don't think that's very accurate.
resQengine
12-10-2008, 02:33 PM
I have seen a few departments having this as a requirement. I believe you didn't need a completed degree, just 60 college credits. Also, I have seen places that accept military experience towards your required college credits. You had to have these before you could sit for the test.
BCLepore
12-11-2008, 10:15 AM
As has already been pointed out, most departments DO NOT require a degree. Do not take this to mean that a degree is not important and will not help you. Fire departments are getting ore in tune with the importance of education.

Many of us have gone back to school to earn our degree. (I recently completed 19 classesin 2 1/2 years and earned my Bachelors degree from Cal. State Long Beach). Many of my peers in the fire service have done the same.

I serve as a rater for my department's entry-level Chiefs Interviews. I also serve as a rater for other departments promotional exams. I value education. You can bet that, even if a degree is NOT required, a candidate who has one (particularly a Bachelors degree) is above the crowd.

Will a degree get you a job? Aboslutely NOT!. What it does do is gets my attention. You still need to perform extremely well in the exam.

Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
www.aspiringfirefighters.com
GeorgeWendtCFI
12-11-2008, 12:11 PM
Fire "Captain Bob"

I'd love to.