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Moving to Columbia South Carolina?
I'm thinking about moving to the Columbia, South Carolina area. I was wondering how hard it is to find a job at a career department out there. I've been on the job now for 4 years at a career department in the Kansas City Missouri area, it's very competitive here. I'm a nationally registered Emt-B, with FF I and II, Haz-mat awarness and ops. I also have officer I, Investigator, and Instructor, as well as the MCTO and Leadership series. Thanks for your input, everyone stay safe.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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There are several career or combination departments in the immediate area.
Columbia Fire Department protects Columbia and Richland County. The city division is covered by a fully career department and the county division is covered by career firefighters supplemented with volunteers.
Several surrounding cities, towns, and counties have career or combination departments including West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Lexington County, Camden, Lugoff, and Newberry.
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Turner on
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South Carolina is a non union state. Therefore, the benefits and pay are unusually low for the country. On the other hand, it takes about fifteen minutes to find a full time job here.
It is getting better. Slowly.
You have plenty of education. The majority of officers around here don't even have FF2. Sad, but true.
I am speaking of the Charleston area, perhaps Columbia is different. I know the cost of living is alot cheaper up there, and it increases, obviously, as you near the coast.
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Mick Mayers on
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If you were inclined to move farther south, Hilton Head Island has opened up their hiring list. Yes, we are not a union department (we had a union and I was the President a long time ago, but that's a different story), and our pay isn't what you see in the NE, but then on the other hand, our taxes are a third less, you don't have to spend a fortune in heating oil, and we reward things like degrees and certifications.
Whereas departments Sarah is referring to may not have officers who have FFII, in our department that is a requirement for employment, as is NREMT-Basic (Paramedic gets you higher up that list), and most of the people we hire these days have a degree, but it's not a deal breaker. We do, however, have a college tuition benefit, as well as retirement, health insurance, interest-free computer loan, etc.
Go to the Town of Hilton Head Island website for more info.
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P.S. We're an Island. We're on the coast.
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More about Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue and the Hilton Head/Beaufort County area, the crime rate is extremely low, the cost of living is reasonable, especially if you live on the mainland, the call volume isn't insane, and you get bonus pay for things like paramedic certification and hazmat technician certification.
We also run the regional HAZMAT, COBRA/WMD, and USAR teams, and are in the process of putting an entire fleet of brand-new engines in service.
We also have some really cool local special events, and we recruit nationwide.
Three of our seven stations are brand new, with two more planned and planned renovations for the other two, our new training center is under construction, and lots of white sandy beaches and tidal marshes. There are tons of outdoor recreation opportunities, miles of bike paths, awesome restaurants, fishing, shrimping, golf, and a lot of other cool stuff to do.
We also support employees in becoming state fire academy instructors, EMS instructors, and have several members of regional, state, and national fire, rescue, and EMS standards organizations. All in all, it's a pretty cool place to work.
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Permalink Reply by DAN MELTON on
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Thanks for the information, be safe.
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I would love to live near the coast, but my wife's job would be in Columbia. Since she's my "sugar mama", (like most firefighters wives) we're limited to the Columbia area. Thanks for the information, I"ll keep in in mind. Be safe.
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Dan,
One of our Hilton Head firefighters lives in Columbia and commutes.
Just a thought...
Ben
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Well what the hell am I doing in Charleston??
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Sarah,
We can help you fix that...HIlton Head Island Fire & Rescue is currently taking applications:
http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/Depts/hr/postings/FirefighterHiri...
If you're interested, let me know and I'll get you some additional information.
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You guys don't have enough Ohioans down there? HA!
Thanks, but if Brent and I get out of here, it will be toward the mountains. I am a wild hick, and there is way too many people by the coast.
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I miss the mountains, too, but I'm waiting on retirement to go back to them.
How did you end up at St. Andrews?
You ride the rescue company, right?
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