Sponsorships?

[Firechick484]

Is anyone aware of any departments that will hire you then send you to fire classes? Or any free/discounted Fire classes? *it doesn't matter which state, i'm very willing to relocate!
Also, any advice to a youngin' entering the Firefighting/EMT world?
It'd be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

[Daveed06]

If you are looking for just experience, then going to a volunteer or paid-on-call department is the way to go. I've only been doing this a short time, but my paid-on-call department pays for all of my training (with the exception of any EMS classes, we don't run ambulance).

In terms of career departments, many larger cities will recruit people with no experience. I think Madison, Wisconsin is one city that does not require you have any experience. Check the webpages of larger cities. They will send you through an academy, and if you don't have EMT-B certification, it will take a little longer to complete the whole thing. Good luck...
Dave

[truckcapt156]

In the state of CT you can join any volunteer fire dept go to firefighter 1 and 2 classes and then hope to find someone hiring CT isnt much of a state to hire alot try down south like virginia or something

[Daveed06]

I got some information that you may like to take a look at. Try this link (http://www.gdvfd18.com/) to Glenn Dale Volunteer fire department in Prince George County, Maryland. Follow the links page to other FD's in the county. I think most of the departments in this area are volunteer. They are always accepting new members, and as far as I know they don't require any experience. Some of them even offer live-in memberships. They pay for training in FF and EMS stuff. The coolest part about these departments is they are close to being the busiest volunteer departments in the world, each going on several thousand runs as far as I can tell. I wish I was able to pull up the anchor and go out there, it would be a great experience. Good luck to you...

Dave

[Firechick484]

Thanks for all the great information!

[SCSmith]

If you are looking for just experience, then going to a volunteer or paid-on-call department is the way to go. I've only been doing this a short time, but my paid-on-call department pays for all of my training (with the exception of any EMS classes, we don't run ambulance).

In terms of career departments, many larger cities will recruit people with no experience. I think Madison, Wisconsin is one city that does not require you have any experience. Check the webpages of larger cities. They will send you through an academy, and if you don't have EMT-B certification, it will take a little longer to complete the whole thing. Good luck...
Dave

While it's true that some larger cities don't require any direct fire experience, that doesn't mean that they don't still at least want some sort of related experience. You can gain experience in other jobs, which can relevant and useful in the fire service. This is often the case when people with military and law enforcement are hired. Police officers work together with fire and EMS personnel quite a bit, so they're pretty aware of what they're getting into when they apply for a firefighting job. If you've worked as a nurse and you want to become a paramedic with a fire department, then you've probably already acquired a lot of related medical experience. So to say that bigger city fire departments hire people with "no experience" isn't exactly true. Some people just don't want to look at the big picture. There are applicants who can prove they have the aptitude to be a professional firefighter with other kinds of backgrounds is all.

[BoxAlarm187]

You could move to Virginia or Maryland and volunteer, and all of the training you could want is free. Hell, I even taught an EVOC class this weekend for free. :D I'm still baffled about states that require their volunteers pay for training.

We don't require previous experience at work to be hired and enter our 18-week recruit school after going through the hiring process.

[Breech31]

I looked at this route, as well. I have experience with the Wisconsin DNR as as a Limited Term Fire Fighter out of Langlade County. My termed ended this past June. I am currently relocating to southern WI, and am looking at taking some courses (FF1, EMT-Basic) at some of the local technical colleges...in particular, I am hoping to squeeze into the MATC Fire Academy, this fall. I emailed the chief at the local Volunteer Fire Dept. asking what it would take to become a member and get involved, and if they provided FF1? He told me I had to attain FF1 first, before coming on board.

[LightsAndSirens]

I looked at this route, as well. I have experience with the Wisconsin DNR as as a Limited Term Fire Fighter out of Langlade County. My termed ended this past June. I am currently relocating to southern WI, and am looking at taking some courses (FF1, EMT-Basic) at some of the local technical colleges...in particular, I am hoping to squeeze into the MATC Fire Academy, this fall. I emailed the chief at the local Volunteer Fire Dept. asking what it would take to become a member and get involved, and if they provided FF1? He told me I had to attain FF1 first, before coming on board.

Are you only interested in volunteering for just that one department? There are a bunch departments that will put you through fire 1 & 2. Some will pay for your EMT-Basic class as well. There are so many volunteer and combination departments in and bordering the Madison area such as Shorewood Hills, Blooming Grove, Cottage Grove, Monona, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, Maple Bluff, McFarland, Town of Madison, Middleton, Verona, Oregon, and more. To be a volunteer firefighter at these place, you're going to have to live close by, but since you haven't moved yet, that shouldn't be all that hard to work out. Don't get too discouraged just because things didn't work out right away with just one department.