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Can't Seem To Get In
hi all, I am a collage student for two years in fire science, with a list of certificates. I have been trying to get a job for over 4 years, and have been unable to. I had a career at walker county fire in ga. but due to the shift work of the fire department ( monday-friday 7-5) 100 miles a day, I was un able to make it work. I live in a small town calhoun, ga and for some reason an unable to be let in (if you could say) to volunteer. I feel as if i hit dead end after dead end everyday. When applying for jobs i pass everything with flying colors, back ground clean, driving record good, great personal skills, physical condition great. I was wondering if anyone might be able to shed some light on my life.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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You're not the first and you won't be the last. One doesn't have to even peruse these forums much to see that it sucks pretty much everywhere. You see FF's being laid off, you have depts running short because they won't hire and so forth, all in the name of the current economy.
Now, I doubt this situation will last forever, but the reality is if you want to get hired you have to broaden where you are looking and you have to be willing to make sacrifices to make things work too. In the case where you quit a FT job because what seems to be a 100 mile a day drive....why not move closer? (that may be an issue there, why should a dept take a chance if you quit another one before because of a drive issue) If you really want a job you're going to have to look for one, you are going to have to travel and go through the processes and you have to be willing to move. These jobs won't just be given to you because you have some certs and a degree, many other people also have those too. Keep looking, keep applying and be willing to make some life changes. Also look into such firefighter job sites like firerecruit.com where they show you what depts are hiring and the qualifications needed. Just be willing to move.
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Permalink Reply by Capt.Alex Arnold on
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Mr Crabby- I am just stalking you all over the place.
Yes my friend what John is saying is true. Another thing is are you willing to completely relocate. There are alot of jobs over here on the west side. Also have you considered a stint in the military (Navy is my recommendation.) The Navy (use to but it has been a few moons since I was in) has a great fire program. You will quickly learn to become a very well trained and aggressive FF in the Navy. A bonus for you is the start of your college education. It well help you in the begining and potentially the rest (depending on what you want) of your career. Something to look at and consider. You get a check twice a month, meals are paid for, a home, and you get to see the world, advance your education, and the bonus part is those points you get when you get into the civie world again. Just something for you to chew on. I know that the military isn't for everyone. If you go into it though thinking and knowing that you get just about anything you want out of it with a little bit of work and devotion, you'll get it in the Navy.
Be safe and learn something new today.
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Permalink Reply by Egenes on
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im sorry i didnt say this i have driven over 1400 miles to wyoming just for a writtin test, to south carolian, but i am originaly born and raised in southern california. And i was finnacely unable to move closer to the department
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Actually, the military is tough to get into today because of the economy. They are not hurting for recruits and can afford to be picky. Also it depends upon the jobs even available at the time one would go to MEPS, the days of just enlisting for FF are pretty much done right now. If a person walked into a recruiter's office and said they would only take FF, then the recruiter will most likely show them the door. Along with that, even if one does enlist, the average wait time in DEP is close to a year before shipping to boot. This is the info I have been picking up on military.com.
If looking for the military to help obtain a FF job, it will take a significant committment and several years to land a career job. If looking to get hired sooner than about the 5 years it will take with a military committment, I go by my previous recommendations.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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well said Ralph! Man are you smart!
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Permalink Reply by Jason Koontz on
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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
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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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Certs are nice when going into the service but, let me fill you in on something....they don't mean squat once you get in (from experience)...you might be able to test out on some stuff...but you WILL be training anyways.....learning to do it their way....I think its a great way for a young person to get a start.....the current situation kind of sucks with King Georges war going on....but it is worth a look......Good luck...........Paul
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Permalink Reply by Adam Knuckles on
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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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Don't know what to tell you there Ralph, I'm just relying the general stuff that is on military.com. There are several for the Navy who are qualified but have no job, meaning they will get offered a job when some become available. It used to be someone could go in "undesignated" meaning no job and go to a ship after boot and learn a trade, but that has since changed and the only people going in undesignated are those who fail a school. I can't speak for the other branches too much, but generally speaking that is the norm of people having trouble getting in.
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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 Mike Coleman on
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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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