Can't Seem To Get In

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Permalink Reply by Ralph L. Carr IV on November 4, 2009 at 12:51pm

No way Chief.......But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express lastnight.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Koontz on November 4, 2009 at 2:33pm

They're right. Its sucks everywhere. I've been trying about 7 years, and I just have horrible luck. Now I've gotten to where I'm considered an "old hand", between teaching academies and EMT classes, experience at the higher echelons of command, etc. It's tough for a dept to not worry about bringing a guy like me in and having problems. But I still keep trying. Traveling is definitely one way to strengthen your chances. Just be prepared for the chance that one will say yes, and be ready with a plan to move if necessary. Work hard at your classes, and learn all you can. As for the military part, all I really know is the Army side, and the firefighters there are a very small group. The good news though is that most of the fire units are reserve units, so you can join the reserves and do it. LOL, all I know about the Navy is to remember that they have something called a fireman, but its a guy that works in the engine room, so make sure if you go that way to read the entire job description, and make sure the job code on the description matches the contract. The Coast Guard is big on rescue, so they may have more opportunities to train in rescue and medical. Each service has their own benefits. If you're considering them, talk to all of them, see what they can do for you and what you want.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 4, 2009 at 2:43pm

Have you thought to just come out and ask someone...? I think that if you are denied that it would be your right to know why.....Did someone you used as a reference "black ball" you...? Is there something you left out on your application that came back to bite you in the ass....(oops, sorry....make that Butt) Are you a total dick head...?? (oops, did it again didn't I..?) You did say it was even in asking to be a Volunteer didn't you...? Are there no openings...? (sometimes happens).....I find it hard to believe that there isn't anyone that needs help......Interesting.......Paul

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Permalink Reply by Adam Knuckles on November 4, 2009 at 4:02pm

I'm going to have to disagree with the Navy having the best firefighting program. Everyone on the boat is a firefighter, and all the services go to the same fire academy in Texas. I'm an Army firefighter in southern Indiana, and they've treated me pretty good. It is an outright pain in the @$$ to get in the service as a firefighter tho, and like John Crabbe said, they are definately not huring for people right now. The best choices are Army, or Air Force. You'll get a good mix of structural and aircraft fire training. There are alot of negatives tho...The problem my department is having is getting people promoted that have the knowledge and experiance needed to lead. If you join the Army as a firefighter you can almost gaurentee you will be an E-4 for most, if not all of your career. And they love to slot higher ranking NCO's that re-class (switch jobs), and put them into leadership positions. Basically putting a brand new recruit in charge. I have an E-5 in charge over me that has never done anything with the fire service in his life that is now a station chief after a 13 week crash course in firefighting. This guy didn't understand why he needed to bring his engine company to a fire alarm. Instead he sent me and my crew in the rescue with no water supply. And you'll also have higher ranking command officers with no knowledge or training in the fire service tryingto tell you how to do your job.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 4, 2009 at 5:35pm

and all the services go to the same fire academy in Texas

You're right that the Navy considers everyone to be a FF, but the FF specialty (Damage Control) is responsible for training crewmembers in FF and also tend to be fire team leaders for repair lockers and also typically comprise an "At Sea" fire party or first in firefighting/DC mitigation.

Reason for replying though is the Navy does not send people to the same fire academy in Texas. Those sailors that may go there are typically flight deck ARFF personnel and those that go are typically already re-enlisted before going. For general firefighting, there is a week of very minimal training in boot camp and then when a sailor goes to a ship they do DC and FF training given By DC members.

I was Navy and don't think the Navy does have the best program out there, but it is aggressive. There is no defensive operations on a ship and as a DC one can find themselves in an IC position quite early in their career. Much of the equipment used in the civilian world is also used in the Navy, so there is familiarity going to a civilian FD. The only thing I really see the Air Force and maybe (not sure 100%) Army and Marines having is that those FF's get IFSAC certifications, which can easily transfer to any civilian dept. Navy...not so much.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 5, 2009 at 6:18am

thats the problem with most of the services....Thus the joke...."What's the difference between the Army(pick one service) and the Boy Scouts...? The Boy Scouts have adult leadership"...Learn the big lesson here.....Life is NOT fair....Do what you can...look out for yourself, your partner and your team......Paul

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 5, 2009 at 7:28am

A joke? Perhaps so are the freedoms you enjoy today too. Pretty hard for someone to criticize if they never served, have you? Are you saying all vets serving and who have served are some sort of fools?

The military is not perfect in any way, but I would not go to say the military is a joke. It is like anything else, you get out what you put in and many people, especially today, have this misconception things will just be handed to them. If you are somehow using my brief description of how it is like in the military, then you don't have a clue. Despite the lack of certifications or this misconception that being a FF in the service will leapfrog you onto a dept, there was much learned and skills I can still apply today.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 5, 2009 at 12:31pm

John....Get off your high horse.....I put in 12 years...Did you...? And I feel I earned the right to make comments where I feel so inclined...I saw some (Note the term some) of the leaders assigned over me that couldn't tie their own shoes...if it wasn't for the military these same idiots would have starved to death. No these were NOT Firefighters....it was "Combat arms"...Use your head for something other than to keep your ears apart......Paul

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Permalink Reply by ffbam24 on November 5, 2009 at 2:16pm

(Like)
Ditto
Enough in-fighting tho.
It sounds like you both served.?

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 5, 2009 at 5:34pm

Actually Paul, That is how I will call out someone who hasn't served and it is difficult to tell who has and hasn't. High horse or not, I'll stick up for a fellow vet and don't take kindly to outside comments especially if one has no idea of what it was like to serve. Now I can agree that some definately depended upon the military and there is a fair share or idiots like anywhere. Though, as you know, the military also consists of what someone puts into it and while the training can vary, some of the best knowledge I have today was learned when I served, despite how things played out when I left. I still wouldn't consider anyone's service a joke, and that is how I initially took your post. Sorry if that was not the intention you had.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Coleman on November 4, 2009 at 5:43pm

My recommendation to you would be that you pursue a Paramedic license. Most paid departments are looking for paramedics. In larger cities such as Birmingham (where I'm from) and Atlanta, they usually have at least one rookie school every year. It would also help if you spoke spanish, held a fire science degree, and had volunteer FF experience. Even a Basic EMT license would get you a leg up. Military experience is a plus too.

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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on November 4, 2009 at 7:46pm

I too believe that obtaining ParaMedic cert first will open doors quicker then most other quailifications for the beginner, these days. As far as gathering experience the US Forest Service hires seasonal wildland FFs and gives you room and board. My 24 year old son did just that earlier and now he has a career with CalFire as a FF, PM and Engineer with his eye on Captain in a few years. He also was an Explorer with LA City Fire but being a college student I guess you're too old for that. Good luck. TCSS

PS Serving our great country in the military while getting experience is an honorable act.

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