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Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on March 3, 2010 at 12:57am

Way to go Jayne! I think KNOW you will be successful. You will! I think the best thing I can offer, (and it might not even be 2 cents worth, but consider the Canadian exchange rate, it could be close) but I would say... JUST BE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE! Never stop learning, and never stop caring, and you will do just fine. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on March 3, 2010 at 1:00am

While your in the Navy get as much training and experience there. On the civilian side you will have to apply this experience an training into a system that will allow you to operate within the system. Your years of service and education would be extremely valuable within a Department. Just have to apply and see where it leads you. Good Luck !

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on March 3, 2010 at 1:07am

OK...first off confusion here, need some clarification.

You state you are a career FF and have been for 12 years and you state you are Active Duty Navy....When you say you are active duty are you talking about being a reservist and just activated....or are you talking active duty as in the Navy is your FT job right now? If you are talking as Navy being a FT right now, not reservist, then how did your dept allow you to commit to the service for an enlistment? or are you a volunteer for the dept?


How can I get more involved with the issues at hand that we face every day? I know I'm on the right track but it feels like I can do more with my education and experience. What can I do?

Well the question is what issues are you facing in which you want to get more involved with? There are many issues facing the fire service and one person really can't address them all and attempt to keep their sanity. In the political arena there is budgets, staffing, grants, etc. In health and safety, there are FF fitness programs, training requirements, fireground safety, tactics, MAYDAY, RIT. Being a combination dept there is volunteers, staffing, training etc. There is EMS, HAZMAT, USAR. Fire prevention, inspections, building construction, energy efficiency and so on....and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

My advice is to narrow down something you feel is an issue facing your dept and something in which you want to address. If looking to promote to LT, maybe the best scope to concentrate on goes to being a company officer. Such issues would be training, ensuring people know their jobs, tactics, RIT, MAYDAY etc. If going for a bachelors in fire systems, you may have a good insight on how to look at building codes and look at fire safety in building construction, you may have good influence and a go to person for such questions and issues.

I agree that you are on the right track, but get the education and experience that you can now. When you do get back with your dept, take some time and focus on things, because stuff changes, evaluate some of the issues and evaluate how you want to address it. Don't just try jumping in on everything and overwhelm yourself, and don't look to make changes because you view something as an issue, other input and ideas should be sought out. That also helps with crew integrity.

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Permalink Reply by Jayne C. Eernisse - Gates on March 3, 2010 at 9:20am

Thank you for bringing that to my attention Johnn. I currently am on a military leave of absence from my department at this time and when I get out I will be going back to my department. It is the department's military clause that is allowing me to serve right now.

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