Getting Hired with a DUI/DWI???

[TJH1137]

I know someone that is 21 yrs old and already has a 2 year Associates Degree in Fire Protection Technology and has completed a very good Fire Academy. They may be getting charged with a DUI/DWI. How hard will it be to land a career job????

[MidazoWHAM!]

I hate to sound negative about the situation, but it will be close to impossible for your friend to find a job in the fire service with a recent DUI on his record.

[SLOReserve]

Not going to say impossible, but it's hard enough with a clean record. Anything an HR or department can use to disqualify someone, they will do. But never give up, but realize the now extremely deep hole they are now in.

[scfire86]

And make sure that is disclosed. My station had a rookie on probation that was marched out in mid shift. He had not disclosed his DUI. When I spoke to the FC in charge of backgrounds he told me the department can handle people who have made mistakes, they can't handle liars.

[CaptBob]

If you have already had a DUI, it's really difficult get hired. There are exceptions. Few. Most departments probably won't look at you for at least 5 years after your DUI.

Candidates who have been cited with wet and reckless (less than a DUI) can also have problems getting hired. A candidate who seldom drinks was stopped after his wedding reception. He was cited for wet/reckless. Even though nothing happened before this incident, over one year later, he is still having problems getting hired.

You could try and get the record expunged. But anymore departments ask you in many ways in the background packet "Have you ever?" Even if it was expunged they want to know what it was. Computers don’t forget. If you were arrested Your Department of Justice (DOJ) file will show it. If you don’t put it down they find it you're immediately eliminated from the hiring process.

[terrible one]

Impossible? No.
Extremely difficult? Yes.

Depending on the state your friend will have to wait 5-10 years before he can even put in an application. That's assuming nothing changes with his driving record or personal conduct during that time.

[BCLepore]

It sounds as if your "Friend" was never very serious about becomming a firefighter.

[kyhunter42]

Tell your friend to start buying lottery tickets. He has a better chance of winning that one.