Firehouse's Mentor Monday: Experiences vs. Certifications

    June 9, 2025
    This week Chief Johnson discusses the importance and difference of having experience vs certifications for promotional requirements.
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    This week Chief Johnson discusses the importance and difference of having experience vs certifications for promotional requirements. He defines the difference between years of tenure and how it correlates to experience based on another viewer question.

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    About the Author

    Ryan Baker

    Ryan Baker is a writer and associate editor with prior experiences in online and print production. Ryan is an associate editor for Firehouse with a master's degree in sciences of communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He recently completed a year of teaching Intro to Public Speaking at UW-Whitewater, as part of his graduate program. Ryan acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2023 from UW-Whitewater, and operates currently out of Minneapolis, MN. Baker, also writes freelances for the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) in his free time, while also umpiring baseball for various ages across the Twin Cities Metro Area.

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    About the Author

    Jacob Johnson

    Jacob Johnson started at the Katy, TX, Volunteer Fire Department as a Junior Explorer Post Firefighter at 15 years old. Throughout the years, he moved up in the ranks until he changed departments in 2007. Johnson was one of the original full-time members who was hired by the Pearland, TX, Fire Department, where he currently sits today as a member of administration, serving as an assistant chief. Johnson has taught at numerous schools in Texas and has traveled over the past year to teach his mentoring and leadership class.