Can't Seem To Get In

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 4, 2009 at 11:01am

You're not the first and you won't be the last. One doesn't have to even peruse these forums much to see that it sucks pretty much everywhere. You see FF's being laid off, you have depts running short because they won't hire and so forth, all in the name of the current economy.

Now, I doubt this situation will last forever, but the reality is if you want to get hired you have to broaden where you are looking and you have to be willing to make sacrifices to make things work too. In the case where you quit a FT job because what seems to be a 100 mile a day drive....why not move closer? (that may be an issue there, why should a dept take a chance if you quit another one before because of a drive issue) If you really want a job you're going to have to look for one, you are going to have to travel and go through the processes and you have to be willing to move. These jobs won't just be given to you because you have some certs and a degree, many other people also have those too. Keep looking, keep applying and be willing to make some life changes. Also look into such firefighter job sites like firerecruit.com where they show you what depts are hiring and the qualifications needed. Just be willing to move.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Gaudio on November 4, 2009 at 11:16am

Hi John how are you? You mentioned my downfall. I volunteer because that's the only way I can be a firefighter. I don't want to move to where I could get my chance to become a paid union firefighter. It's all vol. around where I live now.
I'll probably regret it one day.

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Permalink Reply by Egenes on November 4, 2009 at 11:49am

im sorry i didnt say this i have driven over 1400 miles to wyoming just for a writtin test, to south carolian, but i am originaly born and raised in southern california. And i was finnacely unable to move closer to the department

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Gaudio on November 4, 2009 at 11:12am

Are you talking about gettin hired at a paid dept or do you mean you're not getting voted in at a volunteer dept?

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Permalink Reply by Capt.Alex Arnold on November 4, 2009 at 11:17am

Mr Crabby- I am just stalking you all over the place.
Yes my friend what John is saying is true. Another thing is are you willing to completely relocate. There are alot of jobs over here on the west side. Also have you considered a stint in the military (Navy is my recommendation.) The Navy (use to but it has been a few moons since I was in) has a great fire program. You will quickly learn to become a very well trained and aggressive FF in the Navy. A bonus for you is the start of your college education. It well help you in the begining and potentially the rest (depending on what you want) of your career. Something to look at and consider. You get a check twice a month, meals are paid for, a home, and you get to see the world, advance your education, and the bonus part is those points you get when you get into the civie world again. Just something for you to chew on. I know that the military isn't for everyone. If you go into it though thinking and knowing that you get just about anything you want out of it with a little bit of work and devotion, you'll get it in the Navy.
Be safe and learn something new today.

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Permalink Reply by Ralph L. Carr IV on November 4, 2009 at 11:29am

Capt.

The military is an option. A military vet may have a foot in the door when it comes to civil service positions. It`d be a great way for this youngster to get a career going. Look at the Coast Guard. Many station post shifts are nearly the same as fire shifts.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 4, 2009 at 12:14pm

Actually, the military is tough to get into today because of the economy. They are not hurting for recruits and can afford to be picky. Also it depends upon the jobs even available at the time one would go to MEPS, the days of just enlisting for FF are pretty much done right now. If a person walked into a recruiter's office and said they would only take FF, then the recruiter will most likely show them the door. Along with that, even if one does enlist, the average wait time in DEP is close to a year before shipping to boot. This is the info I have been picking up on military.com.

If looking for the military to help obtain a FF job, it will take a significant committment and several years to land a career job. If looking to get hired sooner than about the 5 years it will take with a military committment, I go by my previous recommendations.

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Permalink Reply by Ralph L. Carr IV on November 4, 2009 at 12:55pm

John,

Really? Three young men at work right now are thinking of joining the Coasties. They do already have their medic license though. The Coasties are chasing these kids hard. Then again, they already have the medic and where we work, we are required to have PHTLS, GEMS, PEP, and pretty a involved SCT training program. (Speciality Care Transport) (it`s like the old MICU stuff. Instead of a specialized single crew and rig, all of our cars are certified like the old MICU standard. IV pumps, vents, ect.)

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 4, 2009 at 2:49pm

Certs are nice when going into the service but, let me fill you in on something....they don't mean squat once you get in (from experience)...you might be able to test out on some stuff...but you WILL be training anyways.....learning to do it their way....I think its a great way for a young person to get a start.....the current situation kind of sucks with King Georges war going on....but it is worth a look......Good luck...........Paul

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 4, 2009 at 5:25pm

Don't know what to tell you there Ralph, I'm just relying the general stuff that is on military.com. There are several for the Navy who are qualified but have no job, meaning they will get offered a job when some become available. It used to be someone could go in "undesignated" meaning no job and go to a ship after boot and learn a trade, but that has since changed and the only people going in undesignated are those who fail a school. I can't speak for the other branches too much, but generally speaking that is the norm of people having trouble getting in.

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Permalink Reply by Ralph L. Carr IV on November 4, 2009 at 11:27am

Right now it`s the nature of the economy. If you are dead set on a career, you may have to relocate. Some areas of the country are actually growing. Keep your head up high. Don`t get discouraged. Keep hitting the streets and check out the boards.

Look to the south west.

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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd Chief Sharp on November 4, 2009 at 12:50pm

well said Ralph! Man are you smart!

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