right now i reside in southern cali. my plan was to attend a fire academy after H.S(have 1 more year left).
but the problem is i really want move to Seattle or around that area after i graduate because i got too many issues here and need to get away........for good, but i was thinking that maybe to attend the fire academy here and move there but then i heard different states have a different way of doing stuff so should i just attend the one up there or is it acceptable to go to academy in 1 state to try to get hired in another?
Hey Alex. I dont think it matters where your fire academy is located, just make sure they follow NFPA 1001 standards for FF1 and FF2. It's a continent wide training standard. I'm a volunteer up in Canada, and I personally know career firefighters in a neighboring department that went to a fire academy in Texas. Look around, regardless of location and find the right academy for you, just make sure they follow NFPA 1001. Take care, -Spencer
Your concerns are valid Alex. The NFPA 1001 is just a standard, but it is not the actual program for fire training. Each state choses their curriculum and then it is acceptable to the standard or not. For example IFSTA is one curriculum that many use, now my state has just dropped IFSTA and is now using Jones and Bartlett for the latest curriculum. Both of which meet or exceed the NFPA standard.
Some states will not accept other states fire and EMS certifications if they are not up to the standard, meaning they may have a home grown program. These are states considered NON pro-board ceritification states. Now I am not sure about Cali and Seattle specifically, so I suggest inquiring with both academies to determine if they are pro-board or not and if they will automatically accept eachothers certifications before you invest your time and money.
Same thing for EMS, some states are not Nationally Registered and have their own state certification EMT or Medic.