Ohio Region

[doubled8206]

I am in medic school now and beginning to apply to departments. Does anyone have any info about any Ohio Departments Hiring with in the near future?

[ritchey555]

As far as I know now, Cleveland has a process coming up soon. I'm not sure where you're from, but being a resident there with get you a couple extra points on the written exam. Other than that, I believe late this year (November-ish) Dayton is starting up a process again.

Not sure about any others, but check them out online or give them a call to make sure.

Good luck!

[jbrescue]

First off, there have been a ton of layoffs in the entire area lately. Second, where are you? Ohio is a big area to being looking in. Third, there are a lot of places that have part time opportunities.

[doubled8206]

Right now I live in Carrollton, which is about 30 min south of Canton, 45 from Akron. I am looking anywhere in Ohio, location is not a big factor for me, heck I would go to the border states as well (Penn, WV, MI, KY) Id take almost anything. I am kind of new to the hiring process and dont really know where to look as far as part time jobs, where to apply and such.

[jbrescue]

There are part time jobs in the Canton area for sure. Canton fire just laid guys off. Akron is short and has guys laid off. Take your class, get your registry card, and look elsewhere.

[docflip4884]

I was in your shoes a few years back and take it from me...get the hell out!!

Dont become one of these guys who are professional test takers and working some p/t ff job and a full time EMT on some private ambulance waiting for a department to call before the list expires. Thats no way to live...

I would suggest getting your Paramedic and heading south or west. Plenty of jobs, and most pay well! But the areas your talking about are very competive and even if you do get hired theres a possiblity you'll be laid off. (hopefully not though)

I' not talking bad about the area or the ff's that work there, but I grew up there. I have family members that are f/t ff's there. Fact is, its tough financially and fire departments are slowly becoming obsolete in some of those areas because either they dont do EMS, or they do EMS but the privates can do it cheaper...

Either way good luck.

[doubled8206]

Yeah, the thing is I am just a 21 year old and dont have the money to be making trips out west and South to try and take tests haha. Quick question, can you just up and jump from state to state with a fire and paramedic card? What are job opportunities in like Penn., Kentucky, Tenn. and more of the closer states to Ohio?

[jbrescue]

Your National Registry will be very important for the EMS side. You can go to Columbus and take the IFSAC test for your fire certification level to get that card. I believe they charge $150, there is a written and practical test involved. But, the IFSAC card carries weight in some states. The Ohio card, does not.

[docflip4884]

Pro board and Ifsac for fire, if the state accepts them (florida, ca for ex. does not) and National Registry for EMS if the state accepts it (ny, ma, and florida for ex. does not)

Penn and OH pretty locked up, KY is pretty low pay, Tenn is not too bad, all depends on what your looking for just look around. Some places may put you through a FF school, so I would focus on Paramedic. Having EMTP is a one way ticket to the front of the line with a lot of departments.

[doubled8206]

Yeah, Paramedic is my main focus right now and I do not have a problem going to an academy again, training is training. So is the IFSAC needed then because I know some state you can just challenge the fire test but I could be wrong. How long is the process for IFSAC?

[docflip4884]

Based on the training you already have or will be taking you may be eligible for IFSAC seals. They are about $10 a piece. For example when I went through the fire academy, afterwards I took the state test, based on those scores, I applied for the seals which I was eligble. (i.e. FF1, FF2, Haz Mat).

In the future, if you take a Fire Officer course then the state test,pass, then you may be elible to get your IFSAC seal. Really all you have to do is fill out an application for the seal It is usually through your state office, pay the fee, get the "seal". Then when applying for reciprocity show the seal or attach it to the form for the state in which you are applying for "certification" they may or may not accept reciprocity based on IFSAC or the ciricullum.

[doubled8206]

Yeah, I have my Fire I and II, HazMat, so what you are saying is all I have to is pay $10 bucks for an IFSAC Seal instead of 150 for the test? I have no clue about this so if you could talk a little more about it, it would really help

[docflip4884]

What I am saying is check with the state and see what they require....thats the only sure thing...here in Texas I paid 10 bucks for each seal total of 5

[doubled8206]

So what I need to do is just contact the Ohio State Fire Marshall and see what if I qualify for it. I am so, I am just new to the whole IFSAC thing

[jbrescue]

http://www.com.ohio.gov/fire/docs/fi...requisites.pdf

[formerbuckeye]

hey man, i sent you a pm, but i wanted to post this here so everyone can read it. I was in your shoes 5 years ago. I was 21 working 2 part time ff/medic jobs 7 days a week to make ends meet. I'm SUPER impatient, and HATED the test taking all over the state of ohio for MAYBE one or two jobs, with the same 300 other ff/medics.

Like the man said above, get the medic and head south and west ASAP. There are a bunch of us ex-ohioians on the forums, who all say that that was the best decision they ever made. I know it was for me, if anyone has any questions please shoot me a pm or email me.

[doubled8206]

Nice Thank You JB

[ffhh74]

Just wanted to give another example of a 20 something guy that was tired of taking tests all over Ohio and got hired down south. Heck, given your area, I probably went to the same medic school as you.

firerecruit.com is where I got all my information about out of state departments giving tests.

[doubled8206]

What did you do for your IFSAC?

[jbrescue]

Something to consider here. The DROP program is in it's 8th year this year. That being said, anyone that got into it from the start, MUST retire by the end of the year. Other than the layoffs that have occurred everywhere, there will be a big hiring push in the next year or two. There will be a mass exodus from a lot of departments due to this. The big question is will they hire, or drop their numbers?