Background Check

I am currently an active duty firefighter in the Navy. I have been throught more training in the last 3 years than most go through to get hired on a dept. I am thinking about getting out soon so that I can pursue a civilian fire career. But I have some doubt, let me tell you why.

I have been reading " The aspiring firefighters 2 year plan" by Paul S. Lepore. The book is a must read for any body who wants to be a firefighter. But he talks about the background check, and it has me worried for the simple fact that I have experimented with drugs when I was younger. High School to be exact. Now, I know that me being a firefighter in the military puts me ahead of the crowd. Thats why I joined. Also, I do have a secret clearance. The Gov. has trusted me, will the fire dept.? Lepore said the if you have done certain drugs like hallucinogens, that you will be automatically disqualified. Is this true? Is there a way around this? Or have I failed before I even had a chance? I want this more than anything. I even went as far as to completing 3500 hours of appenticeship training. I just find it hard to believe that a journeyman firefighter would be truned down for some stupid kid mistakes he made. Please make me feel better about this.

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Permalink Reply by John on February 3, 2009 at 8:58am
I have heard of one dept disqualifying you for illict use of drugs in the past, but I am not sure how they would know, and I have heard that they only go back so far on the checks.
Permalink Reply by FETC on February 3, 2009 at 9:30am
You are reading one book, one authors opinion.

It really depends on the department's background check procedure. Some departments may use a polygraph to look at current or past drug use and many fire departments do not use them at all.

If they are not using a polygraph test, and you are not currently a drug addicted person, then why would you offer that information, why provide potentially disqualifying information that you experimented with drugs in your earlier and dumber years?

I would bet about half of the US Fire Service would be disqualified for some reason or another for being overly honest...

Test, answer the questions honestly and do not implicate yourself voluntarily.

You will be fine...
Permalink Reply by John on February 3, 2009 at 9:31am
Very True
Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on February 3, 2009 at 9:57am
Jarred,

You say you obtained a secret level clearance. You probably wouldn't have one if your past ,you claim now, had come up. Shouldn't be any different when applying for a FD job. Silence is golden sometimes. Good luck in the future. TCSS
Permalink Reply by DC3(SW) Jarred L. Miller on February 3, 2009 at 11:24am
Very true about the clearance... but, I never recieved a polygraph either. You are right about silence as well. I just dont want withheld info to come up someway or another.
Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on February 3, 2009 at 4:23pm
The info did come up, here on the internet. Silence and not posting are golden. Go for it Jarred. TCSS
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on February 8, 2009 at 6:45pm
Jarred, I believe your questions been answered here. You have put in the time and experience to get where you want to go. Your hard work and service will pay off very well on the civilian side. Good luck Bro. Go for it!
Permalink Reply by Doug on February 9, 2009 at 10:10am
If the U.S. military has accepted you and given you a secret clearance with your background a fire department will surely higher you. As someone else said, that's one author's opinion.

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