fairfax county

[MikeWard]

Right... like anyone who knows you needs to be reminded that your probation was over when you were able to feed the horses and clean their stables by yourself.

They took that skill sheet out of the probie manual

ant: It varies - 6 months to two years. I told the community college students to plan on one year.

Recruitment should be able to give you an idea. The fire department is not the one deciding how many to hire, that decision comes from the county executive.

[tucker9]

1)What is important to YOU is that many of them are reaching the limit of their allowable time in the DROP program - so they will be compelled to complete their agreement with the county and retire at the end of their DROP period. The first group should be approaching their deadline this summer.

4) Finally, the need for additional paramedic/firefighters is that the department is upgrading some BLS ambulances to ALS over the next couple of budget cycles. Medic 438 (West Centerville) is due this month.

Can't tell you Mike (and Kobersteen) how valuable your input is. Thanks for taking the time to help us and give such useful and SPECIFIC information from "the other side"! It really helps us plan our approach and get our ducks in a row.

Question... in FX how do they assign FF ALS Medics to the apparatus? Do new medics typically work the ambulance or the engine or do they move them there later on according to seniority (I've read so many different things)? What about suppression...on a structure fire scene do they ever send medics into buildings, what about MVAs? I guess what I'm getting at is whether or not FF ALS medics ever work suppression? If not, why in FX do they want them trained for both then - have the ever really been used to assist in suppression at the scene??

[MikeWard]

in FX how do they assign FF ALS Medics to the apparatus? Do new medics typically work the ambulance or the engine or do they move them there later on according to seniority (I've read so many different things)? What about suppression...on a structure fire scene do they ever send medics into buildings, what about MVAs? I guess what I'm getting at is whether or not FF ALS medics ever work suppression?

Since 1949 everyone starts as a firefighter. The GOAL is to move from a 20+ year old dual track rank structure (EMS and Fire) to a unified structure where everyone is competent as a structural firefighter and performs at the appropriate ems provider level (EMT or medic.) The PROCESS remains long and painful.

I am sure that, even after your EMS Captain ride-a-long, the assignment of ALS firefighters remains confusing. Only Los Angeles city has a more complex system.

Let's look at a hypothetical situation. Engine and Medic 444, A shift. There will be three ALS provider positions assigned to A shift, at least one will be an officer. The concept is that the three providers will take turns riding as the designated paramedic on Engine 444 or staffing Medic 444.

If you are on the medic unit you will have all of your personal protective clothing and access to self-contained breathing apparatus. You *MAY* be assigned a fire suppression role, like Medic 409 was in evacuating residents from a fast moving apartment fire on Arlington Drive. That included operating a hand line.

If you are on the engine company, you are part of a four person fire suppression team, expected to fully participate in firefighting activities. Since 80% of the engine runs are ems first responder calls ...

Let's talk for a second about the bosses. About half of the command officers at the rank of battalion chief through fire chief spent time as an ALS provider, including the fire chief.

The fire chief worked as an ALS/firefighter at Bailey's CrossRoads before getting promoted as a company officer at Penn Daw. Shortly after his arrival at Penn Daw he was the first arriving officer at a garden apartment explosion and collapse in Hybla Valley.

[MNTruckee]

Kobersteen and Mikeward,

Could you please e-mail me at tspecialtiesinc@comcast.net I am a career Firefighter/Paramedic here in the midwest and would really love to move to the east coast and work for a larger city or county dept. All of your help here has been great but I still have many questions, I have looked in to Fairfax and Henrico counties as well as D.C. and a few larger cities in the state of Virginia.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Kobersteen]

...in FX how do they assign FF ALS Medics to the apparatus? Do new medics typically work the ambulance or the engine or do they move them there later on according to seniority (I've read so many different things)?

One thing that Mike didn't mention, that is unique in Fairfax County, is the fact that, until something drastically changes, you will not be riding in charge of a medic unit until you promote to at least Lieutenant.

Prior to us getting an intern, I rode or drove the engine every other tour and drove the medic unit on the other tour.

Much depends on if the supression officer is ALS or not. If they are, and you have a medic unit in the house, chances are you will be on the medic unit every day. If you do not have a medic unit in the house, you will be detailed every day. Much depends on the staffing of the station.

[MikeWard]

Could you please e-mail me. I am a career Firefighter/Paramedic here in the midwest and would really love to move to the east coast and work for a larger city or county dept.

Your better bet would be to start with Recruitment

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/recruitment/

[tucker9]

One thing that Mike didn't mention, that is unique in Fairfax County, is the fact that, until something drastically changes, you will not be riding in charge of a medic unit until you promote to at least Lieutenant.

Does that mean that the rookie gets to drive/chaueffer the officer? That's a rookies dream come true!

Prior to us getting an intern, I rode or drove the engine every other tour and drove the medic unit on the other tour.

Intern? Is that a medic in training? What happened when the intern showed up...what changed?

[tucker9]

MikeWard... what's your opinion on the difference between training at NVCC med.campus and this option... http://www.aecare911.org/ ? aecare is less than half the cost and seems to be a faster program with less "academic red tape" and hoops to jump through. Not sure if the quality of training is good enough though. I do have a BS from GMU already (unrelated fire/medical...organiz.psych) so I'm not sure if going the "college" route would have additional benefits for me.

With that said however, I'm trying to get hired by FX county and I know that nvcc does most if not all of FX's medic training. Would that make a difference to the recruitment dept. or are they simply looking for the certification?

[fdronald]

I have a question. Does FX have an age limit at which candidates are not considered a priority for employment? I am 41, I have applied and will be taking the written exam 4/15/2006. I have experience as a paid FF in NC for the past 14 years but I am pretty much career frozen here. At my age this may be the last chance that I will have to be a member of a large department. Also, in your own personal opinion, is it looked on negatively that someone has extended experience beyond that of the entry-level firefighter? I do not expect, nor do I deserve, any special consideration and I am willing to return to rookie academy and to begin again at the entry level position.

[MikeWard]

Medic training:
The goal for employment is that the candidate has a valid EMT-Paramedic or EMT-Intermediate certification. Both NVCC and Associates in Emergency Care are CoAEMSP and Virginia OEMS accredited.

Upper age limit:
None. fdronald will not be the oldest recruit, since we have had 50-somethings attend recruit school.

Starting over
There was a west coast fire captain from a large department that came east with his wife to take care of ailing parents. His wife had no problem getting an equivalent job as a critical care nurse. He had to start over TWICE, first at a smaller department while waiting to get hired by Fairfax.

Rookie driving the medic officer-in-charge:
It could be a good or bad dream, depending on the officer.

On any given day, about 30% of the company officers are not in their home station (filling vacancies, meeting minimum staffing or filling on for folks on leave), so it could be the confused driving the lost.

When the paramedic intern arrives:
The paramedic intern is a student completing the required skills/experience needed before taking the final certification exam. The intern is riding the medic unit as part of the medic crew.

[tucker9]

Medic training:
The goal for employment is that the candidate has a valid EMT-Paramedic or EMT-Intermediate certification. Both NVCC and Associates in Emergency Care are CoAEMSP and Virginia OEMS accredited.

PERFECT, I'm heading to the first class tonight then at AEC! With their program, it'll put me at taking a shot at the national test end of Jan. 07 vs end of May 07 with NVCC. Thanks so much Mike for your input. Invaluable to us all!

[MaxD240808]

PERFECT, I'm heading to the first class tonight then at AEC! With their program, it'll put me at taking a shot at the national test end of Jan. 07 vs end of May 07 with NVCC. Thanks so much Mike for your input. Invaluable to us all!

Just so you dont second guess yourself, heres more info and another opinion: I work with one of the main instructors for AEC. He is a good instructor and Paramedic. Some of my coworkers have taken their intermediate through AEC and all were satisfied. They did say that the AEC program was more challenging then others, and some did dropout or fail. This is a good thing though and should serve as motivation to do well. I myself took my PALS and ACLS through AEC and was satisified. Good Luck! stay on top of your reading and clinicals and youll be fine.

[tucker9]

Just so you dont second guess yourself, heres more info and another opinion: I work with one of the main instructors for AEC. He is a good instructor and Paramedic. Some of my coworkers have taken their intermediate through AEC and all were satisfied. They did say that the AEC program was more challenging then others, and some did dropout or fail. This is a good thing though and should serve as motivation to do well. I myself took my PALS and ACLS through AEC and was satisified. Good Luck! stay on top of your reading and clinicals and youll be fine.

If more challenging translates into being better prepared for the national test then I'm ok with that. My biggest worry is my lack of knowledge going into the class. I don't have a biology or health background at all. I was already overwhelmed by the cramming of human anatomy into one 3 hour session. I should have paid more attention in high school!

But, per your advice, I'll keep up on my reading and clinicals. Thanks Max!

[tucker9]

Medic training:
The goal for employment is that the candidate has a valid EMT-Paramedic or EMT-Intermediate certification. Both NVCC and Associates in Emergency Care are CoAEMSP and Virginia OEMS accredited.

Understanding that the certification is the requirement, and to beat a dead horse...Is there ANY advantage to training through NVCC since they have an established relationship with FX county (and know the recruitment captain on a first name basis)? In other words, do they "feed" ALS candidates to the recruitment dept. in any way shape or form that you might be aware of. Any competitive edge is important (also for reference see this thread about comparing the two programs... http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=79229 ) Thanks Mike!

[MikeWard]

Understanding that the certification is the requirement, and to beat a dead horse...Is there ANY advantage to training through NVCC

Probably not for you, because you already have a bachelor degree. You do not need the college credits for career development.

Any real or implied relationship between NVCC and the recruitment staff has NO effect on the hiring application process. Federal regulations, affirmative action, etc ...

Mike

" ... what IS the setting to defibrillate a horse?"

[Kobersteen]

" ... what IS the setting to defibrillate a horse?"

I don't know... what did they use on Isman?

[willisjones]

How successful is appealing a failed polygraph test? I am writing a letter of appeal but I am not quite sure what to put in the letter. I was sent a disqualification notice for a failed polygraph releating to the issues of drugs and theft. Now during my polygraph I was completely honest and told the investigator that I had only stolen a tarp and some rope from my employer no money or big ticket items which was the question he polygraphed me on. The drugs question said other than marijuana and the amounts we discussed previously have you used any other drugs? To both questions I answered truthfully and said no. Sorry about the long winded post, it's just frustrating not to lie and be told you are trying to lie. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[DHennet]

Willisjones-
You said after you took the polygraph that it went well, did the examiner tell you that you passed and then failed you?

[willisjones]

Yes it went real well, I have read capt bob's book so I had my guard up about telling to much but at the same time i answered every question truthfully, if there was something I did that was wrong I did in no way lie about it. The examiner said i did great but that it was hit and miss on whether I have done drugs in the last year. I haven't done any drugs in 3 years and I told him this. Today I got a letter saying i was disqualified for failing the polygraph. So I called and the lady told me that I had deceptiong on theft and drugs. I just don't get it I didn't lie at all about either of these things. The theft issue i admitted stealing a blue tarp from my boss to use to move and some rope thats all i have ever stolen from my employers. The examiner said he was looking more for big ticket items like computers or money. But i haven't taken that stuff. I ll admit I was very nervous for this exam and was sweating like a bastard because this is my dream department to work for. Bascaillay the examiner writes up my report then he sends his findings to his boss and he makes the final call, if I understood it correctly. They told me I could appeal which I am so hopefully it will pan out. Sorry for the long post again.

[DHennet]

I'm glad they indicated that there is an appeal process for you. Maybe they will allow you to retest at your own expense.
From what you said regarding the examiner telling you it was hit and miss on those two items when you were done, I think you might have been optimistic thinking it went well.
I hope it all works out for you.