I am currently an active duty firefighter in the Navy. I have been throught more training in the last 3 years than most go through to get hired on a dept. I am thinking about getting out soon so that I can pursue a civilian fire career. But I have some doubt, let me tell you why.

I have been reading " The aspiring firefighters 2 year plan" by Paul S. Lepore. The book is a must read for any body who wants to be a firefighter. But he talks about the background check, and it has me worried for the simple fact that I have experimented with drugs when I was younger. High School to be exact. Now, I know that me being a firefighter in the military puts me ahead of the crowd. Thats why I joined. Also, I do have a secret clearance. The Gov. has trusted me, will the fire dept.? Lepore said the if you have done certain drugs like hallucinogens, that you will be automatically disqualified. Is this true? Is there a way around this? Or have I failed before I even had a chance? I want this more than anything. I even went as far as to completing 3500 hours of appenticeship training. I just find it hard to believe that a journeyman firefighter would be truned down for some stupid kid mistakes he made. Please make me feel better about this.

Views: 1391

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I have heard of one dept disqualifying you for illict use of drugs in the past, but I am not sure how they would know, and I have heard that they only go back so far on the checks.
You are reading one book, one authors opinion.

It really depends on the department's background check procedure. Some departments may use a polygraph to look at current or past drug use and many fire departments do not use them at all.

If they are not using a polygraph test, and you are not currently a drug addicted person, then why would you offer that information, why provide potentially disqualifying information that you experimented with drugs in your earlier and dumber years?

I would bet about half of the US Fire Service would be disqualified for some reason or another for being overly honest...

Test, answer the questions honestly and do not implicate yourself voluntarily.

You will be fine...
Very True
Jarred,

You say you obtained a secret level clearance. You probably wouldn't have one if your past ,you claim now, had come up. Shouldn't be any different when applying for a FD job. Silence is golden sometimes. Good luck in the future. TCSS
Very true about the clearance... but, I never recieved a polygraph either. You are right about silence as well. I just dont want withheld info to come up someway or another.
The info did come up, here on the internet. Silence and not posting are golden. Go for it Jarred. TCSS
Jarred, I believe your questions been answered here. You have put in the time and experience to get where you want to go. Your hard work and service will pay off very well on the civilian side. Good luck Bro. Go for it!
If the U.S. military has accepted you and given you a secret clearance with your background a fire department will surely higher you. As someone else said, that's one author's opinion.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Find Members Fast


Or Name, Dept, Keyword
Invite Your Friends
Not a Member? Join Now

© 2024   Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.   Powered by

Badges  |  Contact Firefighter Nation  |  Terms of Service