Non U.S. firefighter!

[bjorninn1]

Dear All!

Does anyone know if fire departments in the U.S. have a history of recruitin firefighters from outside of the country? I have 6 years on the job as a firefighter/EMT-I.

Please respond!!

Bjorn from Iceland

[jccrabby3084]

Dear All!

Does anyone know if fire departments in the U.S. have a history of recruitin firefighters from outside of the country? I have 6 years on the job as a firefighter/EMT-I.

Please respond!!

Bjorn from Iceland

Bjorn....
Personally I highly doubt that any U.S. fire department recruits outside the U.S. Most depts are saturated with candidates as it is, so no real need to look outside their own state, let alone country. There is enough problems in America with jobs going overseas or cheap labor taking jobs.

Best bet in your case, if you want to be a FF in the states, is be able to legally work in the states. On any job application it asks if you are a U.S. Citizen...if no...Can you legally work in the U.S.

It may take a long process to be able to legally work here, but chances are, that is the only way you would get a job here. Basically the same anywhere, I wouldn't expect to work in Iceland, Canada, or the UK as a firefighter unless legally able to. That can be anywhere from becoming a citizen, dual citizen, green card or what have you. After all that hassle, then you have the other hassle of making the cut to get the job. It can takes years for U.S. citizens to become a FF, let alone someone from another country.

Sorry to burst the bubble....maybe someone else would have better news for you.

[sidewinder24]

I know that Orange County Florida will hire you with a resident green card.
I don't think they recruit out side they US though. SORRY

[firenuck]

Hey Bjorn,
I am from Canada and I work for Westminster Fire dept. in Colorado and all I needed was to show proof I was able to work in the US. "Although," the big dept like Denver and Auroa you had to be a citizen.So some will need you to be a citizen and some won't. Good Luck!

[bjorninn1]

Hey Bjorn,
I am from Canada and I work for Westminster Fire dept. in Colorado and all I needed was to show proof I was able to work in the US. "Although," the big dept like Denver and Auroa you had to be a citizen.So some will need you to be a citizen and some won't. Good Luck!

Thanks for the answers!!

Does anybody know about a company that is willing to sponsor the right person for a work permit in the states??

I spoke to the Embassy here in Iceland and they said that I needed a company to sponsor me and then it should not be a problem.

Can anyone help on that??

Best regards

Bjorn Halldorsson
Firefighter/EMT-I
Reykjavik, Iceland

[CALFFBOU]

It was done once in Southern California by a guy with a "Resident Alien Card." He was from England, but a real tool.

Go through the proper channels and see what happens.

[bjorninn1]

Dear CALFFBOU!!

Can you please contact me via e-mail at bjorninn1@gmail.com.

I have some questions for you!!

Best regards
Bjorninn