College Educated Fire Fighters

19 Comments

Comment by Aaron Wilder on October 10, 2009 at 10:42am

My name is Aaron Wilder and am strongly considering getting a degree but having trouble deciding on what path I should take. While their are alot of choices in schools, the information about good schools is limited. My goal is to become a chief of my career dept one day and want to make sure my path is chosen wisely. My idea is to do my associates in fire science, bachelors in fire admin, and masters in business. Does anyone have any ideas for me. Whether it is ideas in schools or whether ideas in changing paths in degrees. Any input is going to be appreciated. Thank you guys.

Comment by Kendra Eastwood on September 26, 2009 at 7:31pm

Hey Joseph Chandler. I'm in Virginia. I worked full-time with a Sheriff's department for over 4 years. I loved the road and hated the jail. It was no longer for me. I love the fire service and my fire department. The County Sheriff's department is great here too. But i'm not interested in Law enforcement much anymore. The County Sheriff's department I worked for in the past was to political for me. I've had fire/arson investigation courses and love to learn all I can, but to move forward with what I want to do I will need to leave Virginia which I don't want to do because my Father is here and on the department. My oldest brother is the Fire Marshall, my sister-in-law is on the department. My other brother and sister live here too. So I really don't want to leave my family because of my father's age and health. But our fire department here is great and we train as much as we can.

Comment by DC Bombero on September 25, 2009 at 2:33pm

I was lucky enough to go all the way to get a MBA and graduated from EFO at the National Fire Academy. I cannot emphasize enough to make sure your higher education degree is not fire based. It is well worth it to get the benefits of increased financial information when you go for a MBA. I am now enjoying the fruits of being able to follow-up my great career in the FD with a great job in the private sector.

Comment by Joseph Chandler on September 24, 2009 at 7:45am

Kendra Eastwood. I am not sure what state you are in but many police/sheriff departments also have the reserve officer program. I am also a reserve Deputy Sheriff in my county. With your background you may want to look at that as one way to get your foot in the door. Taking either a state level or national level fire investigation course will also be a plus to look into.

Joseph

Comment by Kendra Eastwood on September 23, 2009 at 2:36pm

Hey everyone! In 1992 I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology. I worked in Law Enforcement for over 4 years but firefighting is in my family, my blood. So for the past 16 years I have been a Firefighter. I would love to use my knowledge to be a fire investigator, but in my small town the police department investigates all fires. You think they would want someone with a knowledge of fire patterns and fire period. Oh well I will keep trying.

Comment by Matthew Mask on September 23, 2009 at 1:58am

I am currenty in the process of getting my AS dergee in fire sceince and I plan on going back and getting my AS in Peramedices and my BS in Criminal Investagations so I can become a arson Investagator.

Comment by Lee Huff on September 8, 2009 at 5:37pm

Bad news- I bombed my Chemistry, and I'm out of the nursing program. I'm changing majors, possibly to Criminal Justice. I can easily couple this with some arson investigating classes from the state.

Comment by LadyChaplain on September 6, 2009 at 9:41pm

I've taken a 3 year leave of absence from the department to pursue my JD

Comment by Joe on May 25, 2009 at 9:17pm

Schooled through my doctorate...ready to study something mindless.......................

Comment by Chief Dino on May 25, 2009 at 11:53am

About 30 hours from my BS in Fire Science. Online through Columbia Southern University. Good program so far. I got a good head start with my military training.

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