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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 BillySFCVFD on
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I too believe that obtaining ParaMedic cert first will open doors quicker then most other quailifications for the beginner, these days. As far as gathering experience the US Forest Service hires seasonal wildland FFs and gives you room and board. My 24 year old son did just that earlier and now he has a career with CalFire as a FF, PM and Engineer with his eye on Captain in a few years. He also was an Explorer with LA City Fire but being a college student I guess you're too old for that. Good luck. TCSS
PS Serving our great country in the military while getting experience is an honorable act.
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Permalink Reply by ffbam24 on
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Two years as a "collage student"? I didn't know you had to study that long. You must be good by now ;)
Certificates? That's nice. I had them too.
Are you sure you're passing everything with "flying colors"? A lot of it comes down to the interview. It you aren't nailing this, you are keeping those doors shut all by yourself.
Which now brings me to you stating you're not being let in to volunteer? I'm failing to understand how one is prevented from doing this if you're passing with the aforementioned "flying colors".
Economy weighs in here too. Not many departments out there are actually hiring right now, but some are starting to move in that direction again.
Regarding the miliary: Don't concentrate on firefighting in the military PERIOD. It will not really help you got the job on the outside, and the certs there generally do not transfer out. Chiefly, serve because you want to serve a larger cause than yourself. Serve because you want to; not to get ahead or you could be real miserable for a long time.
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Permalink Reply by Egenes on
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i was told by the chief that he had no gear i offered to use mine he stated thats not allowed. i spoke to some volunteer capt. and they have told me they have plenty gear and are in dire need of good volunteers but chief wont approve for any. i am seriously thinking about writing a news paper article about it so the citizens no that when there house burns to the ground they can thank the chief. this county has 3 paid stations and 6 volunteers. the volunteer stations have around 2 to 3 people who are active
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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thats the problem with most of the services....Thus the joke...."What's the difference between the Army(pick one service) and the Boy Scouts...? The Boy Scouts have adult leadership"...Learn the big lesson here.....Life is NOT fair....Do what you can...look out for yourself, your partner and your team......Paul
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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A joke? Perhaps so are the freedoms you enjoy today too. Pretty hard for someone to criticize if they never served, have you? Are you saying all vets serving and who have served are some sort of fools?
The military is not perfect in any way, but I would not go to say the military is a joke. It is like anything else, you get out what you put in and many people, especially today, have this misconception things will just be handed to them. If you are somehow using my brief description of how it is like in the military, then you don't have a clue. Despite the lack of certifications or this misconception that being a FF in the service will leapfrog you onto a dept, there was much learned and skills I can still apply today.
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John....Get off your high horse.....I put in 12 years...Did you...? And I feel I earned the right to make comments where I feel so inclined...I saw some (Note the term some) of the leaders assigned over me that couldn't tie their own shoes...if it wasn't for the military these same idiots would have starved to death. No these were NOT Firefighters....it was "Combat arms"...Use your head for something other than to keep your ears apart......Paul
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Actually Paul, That is how I will call out someone who hasn't served and it is difficult to tell who has and hasn't. High horse or not, I'll stick up for a fellow vet and don't take kindly to outside comments especially if one has no idea of what it was like to serve. Now I can agree that some definately depended upon the military and there is a fair share or idiots like anywhere. Though, as you know, the military also consists of what someone puts into it and while the training can vary, some of the best knowledge I have today was learned when I served, despite how things played out when I left. I still wouldn't consider anyone's service a joke, and that is how I initially took your post. Sorry if that was not the intention you had.
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Permalink Reply by Dan on
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Alot has to do with not getting in as a paid or Volunteer, one for example is most require you to live in the district, another is Pre volunteer Background checks, another is attitude. another one is your participation in the activities that the department does (drills for example) and this is just to name a few. They all look at this when it comes to dedication and the want.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on
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Rebekah,
Very good advice, even if it is almost a year late. Maybe he is still waiting for someone to invite him to join or still job hunting, in which case maybe he will find your advice that finally showed up!
Good job!
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Permalink Reply by Jeffery McKain on
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Now before i start writing i just want to state this is what goes on around my area. Not saying it is like this everywhere.... But i know for a 100% fact that there are departments out there where you Have to be a part of a click.... If not, your not in! It was like that with me for a long while because i did not fit in with certain departments or they just did not like the way i was dressed. I was not able to join that department (need not say the departments name...) Alot of fire station (more the volunteer companies) Are kinda like high school. You need to fit in. If it is a small town fire station then it is def. that you need to know someone to get in. I find that to be very ridiculous... It takes a real man and or women to do the job, Vol or paid. My department was like that for a while... I now have rank and say with what goes down. I am changing that. But back to what your saying about the chief not wanting you there... I know exactly what you mean and had the same thing happen and then chief's started to talk and it became very hard for me to join any department. There is really nothing you can do.... sad to say because if you wanted to join but you went to the news paper either way... Would you want to join there after making a big stink and getting the paper involved? All i am saying brother is you will find your way soon! I am 22yrs of age and already chief of my department! I went to school and did everything i had to do and worked my ass off! I may only be a volunteer but we are a small company of one engine and a tanker! But it is all good! Maybe try some other departments in your area and if all else fails then do what you need to do. (news paper) But try other routes before going that far! Best of luck and be safe!
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