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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on August 31, 2008 at 3:25pm

Hi Chels, I just finished researching this question for a young man who is close friends with my kids. He first tried to go directly into the fire department but found out soon that departments have a preference for folks that have life experience and training. He made the decision to enlist in the Navy for four years, he's young, just to get the preferential hiring points offered by fire departments in the Los Angeles area for example. I'm not sure if this is the same for other places in the US, but to give you an example of salary, here's what I just looked up for you...

LAFD starting firefighter I salary is $53766- $74416 a year Effective 07/01/2008

Not sure where you want to work, but you get extra points toward your hiring and competing against others if you were in the military. As it should be...

Best of luck in your future endeavors. Don't hesitate to give me a shout if I can help in any way.

TCSS, Mike from Santa Barbara

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 31, 2008 at 3:52pm

Chels,

I'm not from Colo or Iowa, but I may be able to help you.

IFSAC is the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. They are one of the two governing bodies that certify firefighter professional qualifications to the NFPA standards, with the National Professional Qualifications Board (Pro Board/NPQ) beint the other.

My department has several members who are former sailors/damage controlmen. The ones we have are excellent firefighters. Ladders are a component of any reputable Firefighter I and Firefighter II school. They are not a prerequisite for hire at any fire department that I'm aware of, but that doesn't mean that specific FD's don't have specific prerequisites.

My department recruits and hires on a nationwide basis. We do not require any previous firefighting experience or training - we provide all necessary training including the IFSAC Firefighter I and Firefighter II classes and EMT-B.

Good luck with your future career.

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Permalink Reply by Allen Wahlstrom on August 31, 2008 at 4:14pm

DoDFire.com is a good place to look.

We have 3-4 ABH's on shift here at anytime. Look at Navy bases and you can count your years of service in your Civilian career.

Any questions I can hook you up with our Navy guys.

Allen

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Permalink Reply by Chels on August 31, 2008 at 7:41pm

Thanks guys! This is terrific info.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin on April 19, 2009 at 11:47am

Colorado here.....what would you like to know?

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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on April 19, 2009 at 12:36pm

I wish I could help you with this, but I just wanted to say, " Thank You " for your serving your country, and I wish you the very best.

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Permalink Reply by Truckie Jay on April 22, 2009 at 7:50pm

As an ex Navy DC person it comes down to the department you are wishing to apply for. Dallas Fire-Rescue gives credit points towards applicates with prior military experience. Some departments wish you to have IFSAC Firefighter I or even II. While others don't require any previous experience or training.

The best thing to do is research prespective departments. Go to their Human Resource website or main website and find out what their requirements are. As for stepping off the boat into a civilian firefighter career based solely on your experience as a DCwoman? Not likely, the way the Navy teaches fire suppression is somewhat different then the way civilian firefighters do it. At least that was my experience.. 15 years ago when I got out.. Dang has it been that long? Man I'm old.

Anyways, Navy=fire in a metal box, civilian=Fire in a wood box. Different tactics used all together. No matter, your service is/was greatly appreciated and will go along ways towards getting you into a position with a fire department. Good luck and if you have to get IFSAC FF II then check with local colleges where you plan to move. I don't know of many area that don't have at least one college that offers some kind of Fire Science degree with this course included.

Again good luck and thanks for your service.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Matthew Pratt on September 4, 2009 at 9:19am

unfortunately, comming from the military does little for you as a paid firefighter unless you were crash crew while serving. If you can find a municipal department that will send you to school, then you must pass all the tests and that info should be able to be found on the city website or at least point you in the right direction. As a vet, you should rate some sort of vet preference on a civil service test as long as you can prove it. I would recommend taking your DD-214 member copy with you in case someone needs to see it. Now if you were crash crew, you are set. Well kind of. Some departments want you to go through their fire school to learn the specific way that they do certin things and operations. But, if you were prior crash crew or have Firefighter 1 & 2, HAZMAT ops/tech and EMT-B(or better) I would recommend the federal system. You will be hard pressed to find a firefighting job out there that pays the bills and has the benifits as the federal system. however, that comes at a cost. Due to the fact that most bases or posts are smaller than alot of cities, and the fire protection program has a awful lot of authority, there is very little chance that you will see many "real" fires. this is a problem easily fixed as you can join a local vollie dept or EMS company to get the expirence you desire. Plus, you WILL get vet preference points and be put ahead of any regular civilian, non vet applying for the same position provided you are qualified for the position. This was the inital purpose for the federal system in the first place and also the source of much tension. if this applies to you contact me and I will walk you through the rest of the process as it can be difficult to understand. it is long and drawn out but well worth it if you meet these criteria.

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Permalink Reply by FETC on September 4, 2009 at 9:35am

Welcome to FFN. I see you have FF experience on your profile so you must have some DOD or IFSAC certifications, those will convert or be accepted for NFPA Pro-Board civilian ceritifications. Depends on the state in which you desire to work in and what they use for curriculum. As far as military experience giving you an advantage in the prospective civilian fire department, it depends on the organization. Some will give points or credit for years of experience and others do not. But in an interview, the military experience far exceeds a civilian candidate for chain of command, para-military organizational structure, etc.

I see your in Hawaii, always wanted to see HI but have not had the chance yet.

Take Care Stay Safe
FETC
www.fetcservices.com
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on September 4, 2009 at 11:12am

I know this thread is a year old, but oh well, just in case this still applies or if there are other DC (or any military branch for that matter)out there with a similar question.

I also was a DC2 when I got out and went to look towards a career dept. I was straight out of HS when I enlisted and thought that the DC would springboard me into a job....wrong. Education is the key, get a degree, get EMT or paramedic preferably to help you land a job. The military experience will usually mean some vet points, but those won't matter if you don't meet the perrequisites for the dept you are applying for.

Navy FF is very different than structural, there is no "defensive" operations in the Navy. The fire is put out or else it is a long swim to the shallow end of the pool. Another issue is many of those quals you have in the Navy, don't translate well, if at all in the civilian world. OSL, TL, access/overhaul, investigator and so forthmean nothing in a career dept. Investigator in the Navy and in the civilian world are night and day.

IFSAC is a good start because many states do recognize that training vs having to get the state certs. IFSAC is more nationally recognized, but is not always the case, it is up to the individual dept to accept it or not. If still serving in the Navy, they can be difficult to obtain because you would tend to have to go to the DOD fire school, which most commands won't send you to. If still serving I highly, highly recommend you take advantage of PACE courses or classes offered through the Navy Campus. Take whatever general education course you can because the credits will transfer. I also recommend taking CLEP and DANTES tests, which will give you college credits, again these are usually offered through the Navy Campus.

My recommendation is to NOT rely upon your Navy training to get you a FF job. Take advantage of education. I would recommend you look into a technical college or community college which offers a fire protection degree. Look early, because some colleges have a wait list for the fire program. Take advantage of your GI Bill and get your degree. If taking college courses while serving, those credits can knock out many general education classes giving you more free time. Apply for fire deprtments while in school, you may have a degree by the time they may hire. Get your degree and fire certifications and if possible try to get your paramedic.

I am not in CO or IA, but I have applied and tested for Cerdar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque, IA fire departments. Those depts did have requirements to meet and the Navy experience alone did not help. Again education will be the key to getting a job.

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Permalink Reply by JaMale Stampley on November 30, 2009 at 9:03am

Hello Ryan, I was flight deck crash crew and would like to ask for futher direction on the process as I live in Louisville, KY and I am transitioning careers after 11yrs in telecommunication due to ecomony. Please let me know the best way to setup sometime to chat. Thanks - JaMale

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Permalink Reply by Tony Abbott on November 30, 2009 at 9:18am

i was an army firefighter (21M) and when i got out my DOD FF cert was only looked at and approved by other departments so i went out and got my FF-II which is the same stuff i learned in AIT so its all a matter ware u go and as far as ladder school let the department train u the way they want any more questions fill free to email me

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