Hi there... I need some input..... (long)

[Maritimer]

Again...

I have only posted once or twice on here, but I am still up in the air as to what my future in the emergency services holds for me.

I am registered to do my police testing for the province of Ontario this weekend. I amnot sure I want to do this test. I feel that I should be a police officer because I have wanted it since I was a child. My father and two uncles were officers, I have four cousins who are officers and a couple more just waiting to finsosh school so they can become officers. It just seemed to be the thing to do. I have always been so proud of my father and his accomplishments as an officer.
So lately I have been approached at my gym and told by a few people that I would make a good firefighter and that I would thoroughly enjoy the job! The main reason I wanted to be a police officer because I wanted to be involved in the community, help the general public and give back tot he community. My main goal is to help and educate... no matter how Miss America that may sound... lol! But lately as I talk to people it seems I will be able to find the within the fire serives more so than with the police department. I also have always wanted a physically demanding job and I know fire fighting will offer me this. I am a strong individual, mentally and physically, and I know I could do this job.

Now, my major dilemna... do I still go ahead with the police testing this weekend? What if I do well and wonder if I am making the right decision about abandoning my police officer "dream"? Should I just leave it alone all together and put all my my time adn effort into training for the fire services testing?

My goal if I become a fire fighter (or when), is to work full time and take courses and train on my off days. I wouldn't mind becoming an EMT so I could do this part time on the side. The training... well, I would like to compete in the fire fighting competitions.

I am in Canada, (I guess that is obvious, since I mentioned the Ontario Police testing), so I am wondering if there are any women out there who can give me a little insight into the job/jobs I am considering. I think I know my path, but a little nudge is always hlpful. My bf says it's a no-brainer, and of course, he is right.... so maybe some info on training and competing in Canada... and how to become an EMT.

Sorry this was so long, lots to think about!

Have a great evening all,

Maritimer!

[MedicMama]

I guess my advice is that if you are uncertain wether to pursue the police test, maybe you really didn't have yout entire heart into it. Have you been thinking about not pursuing the police force, even before you heard about the firefighting opportunity? It's hard to know what to do. I think you should follow your heart. If you are more curiouse about firefighting, and think it better suits your personality, I would go for it. Maybe take the police test anyway..just to see how you do. And than you will always have that to fall back on no matter what you decide.

Good luck.

[Cyra6182]

You, and only you, can decide what your career will be, Maritimer. But, take a chance and try them both out. You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain from the experiences in both careers. Both are woderfully fufilling in their own way for you as well as your community. Good luck in your endeavours!

[LadyCapn]

Maritimer, I am in Ontario as well so maybe I can give you a little better insight.

If you are still unsure of what you want to do, go ahead and do your police testing. Many of the Firefighters in this Province started out as Medics or Police Officers first. It may take you a couple of years to get on a Fire Dept. so don't burn any bridges until that time.

Now, as for how to become a firefighter, that's a little more difficult. Sad to say, but Ontario is VERY far behind the rest of the world in recognizing that women can be good firefighters, so I will warn you in advance of attitudes and prejudices within the Ontario Fire Service. You may have your best luck with Departments around the Toronto area, Brampton, Vaughan, Mississauga....I know they have been very proactive when it comes to hiring women. Vaughan also has a very successful womens Combat Challenge team.

If you wish to stay within the Ottawa area, you might want to look into volunteering in a small community. You will have to live there in order to join. With many of the amalgamations happening in the Province, some Departments are hiring from newly acquired volunteer stations before looking outside. Volunteering also allows you access to the Ontario Fire College training programs.


Now, for the discouraging part. Education. Firstly, you mentioned obtaining your EMT on a part time basis. Ontario does not have an EMT designation. In order to work as a BLS attendant, with some enhanced skills you must complete a
two year full time diploma at a recognized community college. ALS is another year on top of that. Some colleges have begun offering a part time course, however this is a 3 year committment.
In the last few years some community colleges have also begun offering a "prepatory fire services" program. These are offered on both a full and part time basis and run approximately two years. Many students from these programs have been successful finding full time jobs. For a list of college courses recognized by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, check out their webpage http://www.gov.on.ca/OFM/index2.html , check under the FIRE SERVICE heading, you will find a wealth of information there.

Hope this helps some. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email or PM me. :)

[Steamer]

I had a similar situation when I was trying to decide if I should take the promotion exam for Asst. Chief. If I were to take the promotion, my career would totally change since I would no longer direct operations from an interior position. My job would be overall command for the rest of my career, and I didn't know if I was really ready to give up that part of my job.

I felt that I had to make the decision by the test day. Others, including my wife suggested that I go ahead and take the test, think about it some more, and make the decision when and if the position was offered. It was the best advice I was ever given. By the time the promotion came around, my body had pretty much told me that it was time for me to move on. All of the scars and broken bones I had received over the years agreed. It has since been a very gratifying part of my career. Different from my line officer gratification, but gratifying nonetheless.

I suggest you go ahead and take the test. In the mean time think about it, talk about it with friends and family, and pray about it.
I really think you'll learn what's right for you...and that, above all else, is what's important. William Shakespeare once wrote, "First to thine ownself, be true." All in all, pretty sage advice then, and now.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[Maritimer]

Well, I have decided to write both of the tests. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I couldn't imagine what would be wrong with writing both of the tests. I injured my back at the gym last week (pushing it as always), so I am taking the extra time to do a little studying, must be prepared.

The advice from all of you was great, and MedicMama, I think you might be right about my heart not being in it. I had the chance to write the RCMP tests a few years ago and I didn't do it. My father is RCMP and he tells me, "Just write the tests, the rest will take care of itself..." I knoe he's right, and I think that's why I won't do it! Odd, how I just assumed I would be an officer, yet would not get off my butt to write.. now the fire services testing is comin gup and I am going to be first in line to write, the first chance I get... hmmm, that's gotta say something!

Thanks again everyone, good food for thought!

Take care... Jones ;) aka Maritimer!

[fieryred943]

Hey Maritimer,

How did you do on your test? I know that you had a bunch of emails about what you should do about the tests. I thought that I would throw in my two cents just because I know where you are coming from. My father was also an RCMP(retired now) and me being the daughter wanted to follow in his footsteps. For years I would visit him and read all the books and go out on patrol with him just to see the job. I grew up around police officers for most of my life. So when I told him that was what I wanted to do...he was thrilled. I wrote the RCMP exam and didn't do so well. Discouraged...i thought city police. It was still being a police officer just no travelling. So I wrote the city exam, did all sorts of training on my own was set to go to college for my Criminology Degree...and then one day I woke up and realized it wasn't for me. It wasn't what I wanted to do...I was doing it for someone else.

So where am I going with this... well after 8 1/2 months of training and one application to one dept. I have been a Fire Fighter for two years and don't regret a moment of it. I feel at home here and my father still loves me the same and is proud of what I do. You have to ask yourself, who are you doing it for? And then ask yourself why you want to do it? You have to be able to answer it for yourself and the panel that asks you in the interview.

As for schooling for fire fighting well there are several colleges around the country that offer different programs. The one that I went to in Manitoba, it is the Manitoba Emergency Services College. They offer a fire/ems program which is what I have. Check it out if you like. There is another school in Vermillion, Alta and in Vancouver,BC (Justice Institute).

Hope you did & do well in your exams. If you have any questions feel free to email me... sl_tanner@yahoo.com.

Cheers Shauna