Hello all again! This blog is going to be spent describing my quest to become hired as a paid firefighter. If you haven't read, I have been a firefighter for almost 15 years now. (500 calls a year no EMS) I became interested in becoming paid about 5 years ago, and promptly started to look for open positions. Of course when a position opens in my small state you have 1200 applicants for the 3 open spots. The hiring process of yesterday is differant than the requirements of today. Today there seems to be more departments who want EMT/Cardiac/Paramedic than ever before. In the old days (ugh I hate saying that) the hiring department used to furnish this training to the candidate.

I applied to Sub Base Fire Department in Connecticut twice. It was along drawn out resume of my work experience, a bunch of KSA's I answered with complete knowledge of, and a photo copying of every certification I have. This being a firefighter position on a military base resulted me in a number 1 rating for the job opening, but proved to be of no avail due to the rescent veterans coming home from Afghanistan (few years ago). The 3 vets who applied with no experience received hiring preference and I was out.

I am signed up for the Mass Civil Service Exam (thanks to Siren for her help) in the next month or so. (wow they got expensive) Hopefully with any luck I can interest a fire department to look beyond the residency restriction based on the fact it is hard to guess which department will hire me if any and just pull myself, my fiance and kids to live in that town for the 6 months prior they are looking for. I understand the residency restriction, but at the same time I hope they will give me a chance. After Mass (if this doesn't pan out) I am pretty much out of Luck.

I am signing up for a Rhode Island EMT-B class which is slated for late Spring start, and hopefully this will get my foot in the door for the EMS background folks are looking for now.

Right now I am a roofer by trade. I know firefighting isn't a easy job by any means, but roofing is a pretty greuling job itself. All day walking up 2 to 3 story ladders (12' to 40') with 2 bundles of shingles on your shoulder, balancing for the step off the ladder onto the roof, and then the constant exposure to the elements while being bent over for very long periods of time. Trust me when I say this, the pay doesn't warrant the abuse. I am afraid if I keep roofing for 10 more years that I will end up like most roofers I know who have done this for a long time. (back surgery, knee surgery, shoulder surgery)

If you live in New England and know of any job openings (especially RI, CT or Mass) please let me know so I can apply.

I will try to keep my progress updated as best I can throughout the next few months

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