Iraq Firefighting

[ffmsh25]

Hey i am currently going through the process of applying for an Iraq firefighter job. I was just wandering if anyone knew what the hours were like over there. My hometown department works 24 on and 48 off. If anyone knows anything just let me know and i appreciate it!!!

[HVFDDC18]

Look in Americans Overseas and read some of the post or ask the question there. they will know

[FyredUp]

I apologize for what is going to sound like completely rude questions but here goes anyways.

Let me understand this:

1) You have a career firefighting job in the United States.
2) You are exploring leaving that to go be a firefighter in Iraq.

Now my questions. WHY? Why would you leave the relative safety and security of a US firefighting job to go to Iraq. Where essentially you have no Union protection and are basically an at will employee. Where that guy smiling at you today outside the fire station tomorrow may plant an IED in your response path or put a bullet in your forehead. Where eventually that job may simply no longer exist as the Iraqi's take more control of their country.

Please expalin to me your motivation for wanting to go. Is it money? Adventure? What?

[ffmsh25]

Fyred Up:
The problem is the fire dept i am at is going down hill. I make $8.98/hr and have been here for 3 years. Bad huh! Anyway it really is about the money right now I just need it. I am trying to get my wife through school and right now I work three jobs believe it or not...just to pay the bills. So to answer your question.....yes it is the money that appeals to me at this moment!

[CaptOldTimer]

You can wander to here.

http://forums.firehouse.com/forumdisplay.php?f=430

[KevinFFVFD]

Your not from Greenville Mississippi are you?

[FWDbuff]

Fyred Up:
The problem is the fire dept i am at is going down hill. I make $8.98/hr and have been here for 3 years. Bad huh! Anyway it really is about the money right now I just need it. I am trying to get my wife through school and right now I work three jobs believe it or not...just to pay the bills. So to answer your question.....yes it is the money that appeals to me at this moment!

You make $8.98 an hour after 3 years as a career firefighter? Sorry I am tossing the bull$hit flag down on that one. I wouldn't pick up dog $hit for $8.98 an hour!

[HVFDDC18]

What does it matter why he wants to go, if he is not happy with where he is at and wants to do something to better himself, or his family, then good luck.

So he says he makes $8.98 after three years, you would not pick up Dog S**T for that, BS, if you needed the job to pay for food and housing and the job was picking up Dog S**T then you would do it or you would be like the rest that would expect the Tax paying people to help you out.

Why Throw a BS at him when you do not know him, do not know where or what he is going though.
If you can answer his question then answer it, if not then move on

[FyredUp]

What does it matter why he wants to go, if he is not happy with where he is at and wants to do something to better himself, or his family, then good luck.

So he says he makes $8.98 after three years, you would not pick up Dog S**T for that, BS, if you needed the job to pay for food and housing and the job was picking up Dog S**T then you would do it or you would be like the rest that would expect the Tax paying people to help you out.

Why Throw a BS at him when you do not know him, do not know where or what he is going though.
If you can answer his question then answer it, if not then move on

Frankly, it isn't any of my business. If I were his wife I would make sure I had tons of life insurance on him that would pay off if he was killed while in Iraq. The risk just doesn't seem to equal the benefit to me. But then again, my life is damn good. Great paying FD job, great girlfirend, great kids and I live where I want. So even if they were offering a incredible wage the risk still outweighs the benefit for me.

[LaFireEducator]

Up until a few years ago there was an all career FD in northeast LA where the starting salary was just over 15K.

They are now up to 18K.

[ffmsh25]

You make $8.98 an hour after 3 years as a career firefighter? Sorry I am tossing the bull$hit flag down on that one. I wouldn't pick up dog $hit for $8.98 an hour!

Toss what you want......and i agree with you it is bulsh** that is why i am leaving here. We have Lt. and Sgt. here with paramedic that has been here for 8 or 9 years making $11.00/hr. All bullsh** aside. Terrible huh?

[ffmsh25]

Up until a few years ago there was an all career FD in northeast LA where the starting salary was just over 15K.

They are now up to 18K.

i started out at $6.97 /hr.....not far from you!

[ChiefKN]

My brother just got back a month or so ago.

He made 100k+ Virtually tax free.

If I was single and young, i'd do it. Make a lot of money, have very little expenses.. network.. adventure.

It was very safe, he never left the base except to travel back to the US.

He also gained probably 20 lbs and smokes more then he ever did! Cigarettes were like 5 bucks a carton or some stupidly cheap rate.

Like, I said.. an adventure.

[ffmsh25]

My brother just got back a month or so ago.

He made 100k+ Virtually tax free.

If I was single and young, i'd do it. Make a lot of money, have very little expenses.. network.. adventure.

It was very safe, he never left the base except to travel back to the US.

He also gained probably 20 lbs and smokes more then he ever did! Cigarettes were like 5 bucks a carton or some stupidly cheap rate.

Like, I said.. an adventure.

thanx for the info. I appreciate it alot!!!

[ffmsh25]

What does it matter why he wants to go, if he is not happy with where he is at and wants to do something to better himself, or his family, then good luck.

So he says he makes $8.98 after three years, you would not pick up Dog S**T for that, BS, if you needed the job to pay for food and housing and the job was picking up Dog S**T then you would do it or you would be like the rest that would expect the Tax paying people to help you out.

Why Throw a BS at him when you do not know him, do not know where or what he is going though.
If you can answer his question then answer it, if not then move on

I appreciate the support. True enough that is no lie about the pay. My Lt. has been there 13 years and has a medic liscense and he makes $13.63. I know it sounds like bullshi* but it is all true.....ridiculous but true!!!!

[cozmosis]

You make $8.98 an hour after 3 years as a career firefighter? Sorry I am tossing the bull$hit flag down on that one. I wouldn't pick up dog $hit for $8.98 an hour!

You better pick up your flag. We've got cities in Arkansas that start their career firefighters at minimum wage. Such is life in a right to work state with no collective bargaining.

[HVFDDC18]

Frankly, it isn't any of my business. If I were his wife I would make sure I had tons of life insurance on him that would pay off if he was killed while in Iraq. The risk just doesn't seem to equal the benefit to me. But then again, my life is damn good. Great paying FD job, great girlfirend, great kids and I live where I want. So even if they were offering a incredible wage the risk still outweighs the benefit for me.

Fyredup, I was not talking to you, I was talking to the one who threw the BS statement.

I myself have done jobs I would not wish on anyone else and for a lot less, I have also worked several jobs at a time to pay the bills.
I now have a great job in the fire service where I travel a lot get to see things that others that stay with in the borders of the US will never get to see. have a lot of time off. to enjoy my family. Life is good for me, but not everyone has the same chances that I have. All I wanted to say is that, give the guy a break. Give him help and support
I wish the guy luck

Thanks

[FWDbuff]

You better pick up your flag. We've got cities in Arkansas that start their career firefighters at minimum wage. Such is life in a right to work state with no collective bargaining.

Flag removed. Christ, even when I got hired by Uncle Sam as a Federal FF, as a GS-04 Trainee I was making what translated into about 14 an hour......But only $8.98 an hour after three years? Something just doesn't sound right.

[ffmsh25]

Flag removed. Christ, even when I got hired by Uncle Sam as a Federal FF, as a GS-04 Trainee I was making what translated into about 14 an hour......But only $8.98 an hour after three years? Something just doesn't sound right.

i understand where you are coming from. I really don't see y i am still here. I just love the fire service and the people i work with, but it is ridiculous. Our fire dept is aweful. Everyone's moral is down and it is just going downhill. But thank you for your comments