Kenny's Friends

Kenny's Groups

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations: I was with Tampa Fire Rescue for 3 yrs.

My Training:: I am a state cert. FF and EMT; I also have taken the IAFF 160 hr. Haz-Mat Tech Course and am now a Certified Driver/Eng. with the State of FL

About Me:: I first got my start/ experience when my uncle took me on a fire call with him. I loved everything about it and was just awed by how well the crews worked together and how efficent the fire was put out. I also enjoyed being able to go up to the firehouse and just hang out with the guys and hear all the stories that they had to tell. I guess you could say thats when I fell in love with fire service. I soon became an explorer after that and then did a yr of college after HS and found out that I was not fit for that and that I missed being around fire and the firehouse atmosphere. So I went to Fire school and to EMT school and now I am doing what I love to do. I am also a big part of fire prevention week and the great american teach in because I love talking about what I do and why I do this job. I always enjoy talking to people about the job I do and the excitment it brings and the not so good times when you cant get that one person back to life.

Why I Joined Fire/EMS: I became a firefighter/emt to help people in need and for the brotherhood, honor, pride, and dignity that is carried by each and every fireman. There is nothing like the rush of turning the corner and seeing that house or car on fire and the adrenaline of getting to go inside a burning house to put out the fire, popping the door of a car that is mangled or the joy of just sitting around the firehouse talking about calls and listening to the older guys talk about the old days.

Why I Love Fire/EMS: fighting fire, extracating people out of trapped cars and helping those people who are truely in need

At 9:07pm on September 17, 2007, Jack Horner said…: Forget anything you know about fire fighting and focus on answering all your questions from the book. Good luck! Stay Safe.

At 11:36am on August 30, 2007, Jack Horner said…: You are paid a basic salary to start. I think it's around 30,000 annually, but the rate goes up pretty rapidly. It's pretty busy year round. The dept. has approx. 450 firefighters, 22 stations, and were up to 7742 runs this year at the time I'm writing this. Yes everyone goes through this academy; they feel it gets everyone working on the same page. The weather here is fair year round. We rarely see tempartures below 20 degrees in the winter and summer temps are generally in the mid 90's. The department is still growing and think they are looking at adding 2 or 3 new stations in the near future as Chattanooga limits expand. Our ISO rating is 2, but they are trying to get it lowered to a 1. I hope this helps and Stay Safe.

At 10:08pm on August 29, 2007, Jack Horner said…: The best advice I can give you is to stay after it! They are looking for those committed enough to keep trying year after year. They generally won't hire someone on their first try. It took me six years of testing over and over again, and I was a Chattanooga Police Officer, but they still wouldn't just hire me. As for the test, forget what you know; the study guide has some suttle differences from NFPA standards. They do it so they can tell who is reading. The tests are based solely on whats in the guide, and not real life. Wish you all the luck; because, the six month academy will wear you down, but the job is so great that it makes it all worth it. I'd endure it again if I had to.