Osceola Hiring

[VESmedic]

Whats the rumors with you guys and going towards Orlando style SOPs, black bunker gear etc? any truth to that?

[VESmedic]

The letter I got says the written test is at the Osceola County Extension Office, 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane....

Not the TECO everyone keeps saying.

Also, I know a few guys that work there and they have also heard chiefs talking about how this new recruit class should be starting mid october and all recruits will receive training in a bunch of specialized ops. so that you'll be able to work on any company in the county.

Thats very appealing to me, anyone know would this training all be state/nationally certified or is it Osceola Co specific where you don't get certs for it?

And to the guy replying to my long drive comment, I was making LIGHT of the situation, I guess you missed that. I know a lot of guys are driving many miles to work every third day for shift. Driving 30-45 miles twice a day 5 days a week is a little different. I never said I wouldn't do it, or complain. I was just saying I'm gonna have to get a scooter for that trip. I personally don't feel like spending half my pay on gasoline. Those scoots get like 85 miles/gallon compared to my jeep at 10-15 highway.

And just out of curiosity.... why do so many people make such a big deal out of black turnouts? I know people personally who's only reason for wanting to work for Orlando is how "cool" they look, and how "cool" their trucks are painted. I bet they don't put brand new hires through Special Ops training right away. Thats more my ballgame!

Well, to me, it is just a "plus" to see a department going towards a more tradional approach. This is just an example of it in my opinion. It's the little things ANYTHING to make you feel somewhat like a fireman when you are running those 12 abdominal pain calls a shift!! ....thats a different topic all together though...

I'd wear PINK BUNKER GEAR if I worked for Orlando, just as long as I was getting that ORLANDO PAYCHECK!!!

[e10pvmt]

The SOPs are out and are being used. I have heard they are similar to Orlando since our new Deputy Chief retired from Orlando before coming over. They are aggressive and finally utilize truck operations. The bunker gear is still with the county attorneys office. I never cared either way on the gear.....however after researching it blakc doesn't occur naturally in nature and the black gear in contrast with the yellow reflector actually stands out better. Heat is negligible since there are so many layers your hot either way. Again i know there was talk about the special ops training being part of orientation but nothing definitive. And agian i dont think it should be....thosw with experience will love it but those who have no experience have enough to learn in there first year....and if it is offered (even if you take it through the county after orientation) it is a state recognized class for operations level....state only recognizes certain tech level training centers....driving is no big deal....CFFA is central and has the props necessary...if you do go to TECO its right off the Turnpike.....the west and cntral battalions are close to major highways...the east side gets rural and when you think you have gone too far....keep going....as with any fire dept we are only passing on what we are told to try and give you all a heads up....good luck to you all

[e10pvmt]

oh and as for driving....i live in Brandon just outside Tampa....and i am tired of the drive....movin next year though

[charlie40720007]

e10......i'm going through medic school at the moment and hypothetically if I were to get hired with Osceola in regards to their orientation, will they be willing to work with my class and clinical schedules. I'm not trying to look for special treatment but i'm sure anyone that has gone through medic can tell you that it's very tedious. Is it worth for me to even go through the process at this time? Thx.

[layinonair]

Well, to me, it is just a "plus" to see a department going towards a more tradional approach. This is just an example of it in my opinion. It's the little things ANYTHING to make you feel somewhat like a fireman when you are running those 12 abdominal pain calls a shift!! ....thats a different topic all together though...

I'd wear PINK BUNKER GEAR if I worked for Orlando, just as long as I was getting that ORLANDO PAYCHECK!!!

Pink bunker gear, you may be onto something! All new hires should wear pink gear haha..

Also, OFD does put you through most operations level special ops training under orientation, only since it will be enough to bail you out of whatever situation you get yourself into. But as far as teching out...that's on your own.

[PPH]

Does anyone know if this test is a notoriously difficult test like the one for Orlando? Its been a while since I've had to do a FF/EMS test and I know my EMS knowledge is a bit rusty. Just wondering what I'm in for is all.

[PPH]

I'll be there on the 23rd at the 9am test. I know there is at least one more in the afternoon on the 23rd.

[layinonair]

No idea about the difficulty. Orlando isn't so much "hard" as it is "obscure". The questions are on material we've all learned, but its some little specific tidbit and the answers are all so similar.

I imagine this will be basic Fire/EMS test.

Good luck to everyone taking the test. I'm there tomorrow, was anyone scheduled for any other day than the 23rd?

Couldn't agree more Fuss, the OFD test is not "hard". The wording of the questions are to get you to think, like double negatives and such, when you have such a large base of people taking the test, you have to weed out those who do not pay attention to details. Some may call it trickery but I think if you know your stuff you will do just fine on it. IMO, the OFD written test is one of the hardest I have come across. But I'm sure there are more difficult entrance exams.

Not sure how hard the Osceola test is, but I'm sure it's just a typical fire/ems as well, probably lots of numbers on the ems side, and possibly gallonage type numbers on the fire size.

[BLSboy]

I'll be there on the 23rd at the 9am test. I know there is at least one more in the afternoon on the 23rd.

I'll be at the 1230 one.

[Marc the Shark]

Quick question. The paper said to bring a copy of our driving record. What do they want? 3 years, 7? Complete?? They don't specify so should I just go for the smallest?

[SVTxDUDE]

Quick question. The paper said to bring a copy of our driving record. What do they want? 3 years, 7? Complete?? They don't specify so should I just go for the smallest?

Can't go wrong with a "Complete".

[Marc the Shark]

I hear that but I have a few tickets from about 5-6 years ago. I was just thinking that my 3 year record would look better

[SVTxDUDE]

I hear that but I have a few tickets from about 5-6 years ago. I was just thinking that my 3 year record would look better

Either way they'll find out, I'd be upfront about it.

[e10pvmt]

e10......i'm going through medic school at the moment and hypothetically if I were to get hired with Osceola in regards to their orientation, will they be willing to work with my class and clinical schedules. I'm not trying to look for special treatment but i'm sure anyone that has gone through medic can tell you that it's very tedious. Is it worth for me to even go through the process at this time? Thx.

If you have a chance of getting a job its always worth a try....especially in this job climate....as for working around your schedule i highly doubt it....how far are you from being done....when i was hired 5 years ago we had a guy in medic school. He was able to transfer to evenings and worked around it....it was difficult but he did it....there is no real way to work around your school schedule since the orientation is a m-f 8-whenever gig

[John Hartman]

My letter says written then practical, i am guessing that's the cpat or pat which ever they do. I live in wpb and the drive well its for the greatest job in the world so always worth it. I just finished medic take my state exam the day after testing. I called and asked if I should submit my AS degrees I have both ems and fire science and was told by Hr that it would be a wise choice for me to do so. It seems a lot of depts are looking more and more for degrees than exp. But who I am I to say so. Funny thing is tuesday got a call from a dept I applied with last year offering me a spot but its a safer grant so i figured it won't hurt to throw my name in here. Good luck to everyone testing.

[firemedic80]

I have to agree with e10 on the special classes they MIGHT add into the orientation. It ALWAYS looks nice to have those classes, but a brand new firefighter with no experience has a LOT of information to absorb in his/her first year and I am strongly opposed to this. I was hired almost 3 years ago as a new firefighter and 5 years EMS experience. I will tell you that first of all, all the material they taught our orientation class which was 9 weeks was SQUEEZED in and we actually ran over by a few days. I have NO CLUE how they would be able to teach the basics and then add in weeks worth of classes in addition. Your "probie" packet alone is a pretty good sized binder that keeps you very busy on top of running calls and station duties and training that we do monthly. Then if your a medic, you are looking at 20 shifts minimum of precepting and having to learn protocols. Then getting ready for your probie test at your one year mark. I just think its more appropriate to season the green guys first then get into the special stuff later. BUT, if they choose to give you the classes, well, it definately is a nice perk.

Good Luck to all once again!

[firemedic80]

Oh and we received an email yesterday that states from the Chief that we are hiring AT LEAST 16. So I am guessing 18-20. Just a guess though.

[VESmedic]

My letter says written then practical, i am guessing that's the cpat or pat which ever they do. I live in wpb and the drive well its for the greatest job in the world so always worth it. I just finished medic take my state exam the day after testing. I called and asked if I should submit my AS degrees I have both ems and fire science and was told by Hr that it would be a wise choice for me to do so. It seems a lot of depts are looking more and more for degrees than exp. But who I am I to say so. Funny thing is tuesday got a call from a dept I applied with last year offering me a spot but its a safer grant so i figured it won't hurt to throw my name in here. Good luck to everyone testing.

ahemmmm...what the? What exactly was the point of this post? To show the internet world you have degrees and therefore are above all else? Because that is the way it comes across. There was absolutely NO point to this thread whatsoever, other than self gratification...Heres a reality check....NO BODY CARES....sheesh..

[charlie40720007]

[QUOTE=e10pvmt;1296138]If you have a chance of getting a job its always worth a try....especially in this job climate....as for working around your schedule i highly doubt it....how far are you from being done....when i was hired 5 years ago we had a guy in medic school. He was able to transfer to evenings and worked around it....it was difficult but he did it....there is no real way to work around your school schedule since the orientation is a m-f 8-whenever gig[/QU

Well im only in P1 and just started clinicals. Just trying to imagine fitting in a medic/orientation schedule together doesn't sound like a good idea at all. Thx for the input.