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Qualifications before joining a Vol. Department?
I'm 22, live in FL, and new to the fire scene. I was recommended by 6 year paid FF (works in the same area im going to be volunteering in) friend of mine to join the local VFD. I attended my first business meeting today, as part of the 3 consecutive meetings required to be voted in. I noted that some of the guys were fresh out of the fire academy or EMT training which made me feel nervous and completely under qualified.
I have no training in the fire field whatsoever.
From what i understand, after i am voted in, i am required to attend training meeting every Monday. I am in the process of entering EMT-B in the Fall semester.
My question is: Am i under qualified to join the VFD?
Thanks!
I have no training in the fire field whatsoever.
From what i understand, after i am voted in, i am required to attend training meeting every Monday. I am in the process of entering EMT-B in the Fall semester.
My question is: Am i under qualified to join the VFD?
Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Aaron Mannan on
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James, i'm going to say no, your not under qualified. i'm in a very similar boat. pretty much the only difference between situations is that i'm taking my final for my EMT-B tomorrow night, and go to certify at the end of june. the beauty part of all this is that the assistant chief at the VFD that i'm going for (cross your fingers now folks) said that they will pay for my intermediate. in the same breath, i was told they WOULD have paid for my basic. so you may look into that as well to see if you can get some help with class expenses.
I've had several firefighter buddies of mine tell me that a volunteer department is a very good stepping stone to get into a paid department. also, if you decide to get on with a paid department locally, your probably more likely to be hired since they've fought fire right along side you. its not like they're just hiring some joe blow from down the street.
i say go on with your plan, sounds good to me!
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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Cossel on
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First off, congrats! Second, I would say you're only unqualified if you don't take your training requirements seriously and strive as much as possible to get yourself up to speed on things. I joined under similar circumstances and within a year got my FFI taken care of and currently working on my BEC. Good luck and stick with it!
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Permalink Reply by Holly on
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I'm agreeing with the other two.
Everybody has to start somewhere.
Never stop training no matter how long you have been at it
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Permalink Reply by Olivia Jones on
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James, I have to say that if I had to pick between someone like you that has no training but a willingness to learn and a hunger for excellence and someone who had some level of training but either felt they knew everything or was reluctant to comply with our SOP's. I'll pick a blank canvas everytime. You are like a new lump of unformed clay to the training officer/ senior members.
And FYI there are times when all of us meet someone and feel we know nothing by comparison. I have had instructors that to be honest I was intimidated by and they had the same specialty as me. Hang in there and Im sure you will be fine.
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Permalink Reply by James Cundiff on
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Thanks for the replies. What a relief, i cant wait to start. I guess im glad that im getting into the VFD before my certs rather than afterward.
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Permalink Reply by Allen Ray Corey j.r. on
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First and foremost wlecome to the best thing you will ever do in your life.
The thing I always tell all my new people is that the hardest part is over you showed up for your first meeting the next thing is to get through the first 3 months you will be standing there wondering what the hell you are doing not knowing anything but you will learn, then once you get 6 months you will start to know your job and what is going on then once you hit a year and some certs. there is nothing you will want to do other than be a firefighter it's the hardest thing both Physicaly and Mentaly you will ever do you will never be under more stress or pressure but you will never feel better about anything so stick it out it is worth every second trust me
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Permalink Reply by Chris on
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Im sure im not alone in my comment when I say that most people on this site and in the fire service in general had close to zero training when they decided to get on a department. They had a willingness to help, and thats where it all starts. Education comes with time, you dont start out at the top. Allen is right and I see it all the time with the new guys. The first few calls its alot of standing around watching and wondering what did I get my self into, I dont know what to do. You will learn and in years to come you'll be the one showing the news guys what do.
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Permalink Reply by Wayne Peterson on
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I agree, when I first started I knew nothing,except how to dive (scuba) thats how I got started, then to MFR school and FF2 class. Pretty soon you will know were stuff is on the truck, and be pump operator. I can't overstate how much fun this serious job is. Get started, work hard, learn everyday and you will be great!
PS. I learn something new on every run, people (firefighters and patients) will teach you something everyday if you let them.
Welcome to the Fire Service.
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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Absolutely not. You are on the right track. Your training and experience will take years. Best of luck! Be safe.
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Permalink Reply by edward neal rountree on
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James, not at all underqualified. Alot of departments from my experience from volunteer and the miltary like people that don't know awhole lot to begin with so they can mold you into what they think is necessary, im looking into emt-b myself (being ive got almost everything else),lol. keep ur head up and you'll do fine.
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Permalink Reply by Station10Capt106 on
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We have had people join our vol. dept that has had 20 yrs experience all the way down to zero experience. Everyone has to start somewhere but the key is to be willing and able to devote time to learning, training and practicing.
Gone are the good ol' days of the vol. dept were the guys gather every night to get drunk and play poker. The legal liability has skyrocketed and all members need to be dedicated to providing the best possible service they can in the safest manner possible. The only way for this to be done is through knowledge and training.
I know that time restraints are the main hinderence in a vol. dept but choices have to be made. The glory hounds that deck out their vehicle with so many lights you can land the space shuttle and have every Big Johnson fire T-shirt every made is more of a detriment to a department than someone who has no experience but a willingness to learn, improve and advance.
Congrats on getting involved in your community and best of luck in your training. Remember the seriousness of what we do . . . all one need to do is subsribe to The Secret List to see how many firefighters are hurt, maimed and killed in the line of duty. Don't become another statistic.
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