Need some clarification and advice about applying to fire departments

[riverking25]

Hey everyone, this is my first time posting on this website. Just a little information about me in case it helps you guys answer any of my questions. I'm 20 years old and I'm from Canada. I'm finishing off my Environmental Science degree next year. This summer i'm hoping to go up North for a wildland firefighter position. I am not planning on moving to the states right away, I will probably take a few years to build my resume and experience related to fire. So now onto my questions...

After hours on this website and many state department websites, I am hoping I have some understanding of what courses and certificates I should be getting, and a general idea of the path I will be taking. If anyone sees something wrong with anything I list please let me know, and any extra advice would be appreciated. I also have a bunch of questions that I could not find or didn't fully understand and need some clarification (I understand that some of the questions may be state specific and I probably need to contact the departments personally, just hoping to get as many questions answered so I don't need to swarm the departments with questions).

The requirements for all the states I have researched requires Fire Academy and EMT from their state, ex. Florida's Fire departments state that you need....
- "Florida State EMT-P"
- "Florida State Firefighter"
Am I right in assuming I need to take these certificate programs in the state I am applying for, or are the fire academy certificates accepted in all/most states?
- ALSO, Whenever I looked up state requirements they always said to have a drivers licence from that state, can anyone elaborate on this? Are one states licence not accepted in other states? I'm from Canada, So I don't have much/any knowledge about this topic.
- Many state websites say the accepted candidate must be a resident of that state, would that be prior to applying, or prior to the start date of employment/training?
- Does anyone know if NFPA 1001 is accepted as a fire academy substitute?

Okay so moving away from the questions...

- I should be getting a fire academy certificate.
- I should get a EMT-B at a minimum, but obviously a paramedic certificate would be best.
- Then I start applying for departments. Once I am accepted into the department, this is where I am trained for the firefighter I and II certificate.

I'm pretty sure I have gotten all the questions I had out, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Jonnee]

Most locations in the USA require you to be a citizen, resident and have a valid drivers license of the state in which you are living and working.

[kylemacphee]

if you're serious about working in the states, apply at Lakeland college, in Vermillion, Alberta. The'yre the only fire school in Canada that is recognized across north america. You'll get fire 1 & 2, and your EMT.

[riverking25]

Thanks a lot for the responses, It helped a lot.

[PaulC.]

Riverking-

The responses above regarding citizenship are most important. After this take a look at an article I wrote to let you know what you should be doing FIRST once getting the ability to work going.

Here's the link: http://www.gethiredbyfire.com/?p=21

Good luck!

PaulC.