Choices.Jax newbie seeks helps from other locals in North Florida.

[beamclamp]

Good day all, I am bound and determined to go thru what ever it takes to become a firefighter. I live in Jacksonville, Fl and I have several friends that have joined. Unfortunately they have left the city and I no longer talk to them. So here I am trying my best to get some questions answered before I embark on what seems to be a daunting yet very rewarding task. Becoming certified seems simple enough (I know it’s hard work, but it’s easy enough to get in school). Putting in the work for school and training do not bother me in the least. My main concern is a few rumors I have heard regarding the job and the city I live in. The first one and most scary to me is that it's hard to get into larger cities and I will most likely have to relocate to find a job in an a joining county. I am not unwilling to relocate I just want to know what the chances of me getting on in st.Johns, Nassau, jax beach..etc etc...If you live around here you know...if not then these counties are not quite as large as Jacksonville and I am sure you have similar counties around you if you aren’t already in one. Basically, should I bank on moving and if so is there one county that is better than the other? I found something that breaks down salaries, but the differences are pretty small for a newb and I am just after experience at this point anyway. I've lived off of less for jobs that I cant even believe I ever did.
Secondly, I have heard that bad drivers licenses will exempt you. How bad? I got a ticket 3 years ago and it was suspended around the same time. I am deathly afraid that I will go through the training and not be able to work because of my driving record.
Last, but not least. I have heard of a lie detector test on which they ask about drug use. I wont lie when the time comes and I wont lie now. I certainly tried some as teen. I am now 28 and am clean as a whistle. I would say I experimented a bit as a teen and I am sure I am not the only person that smoked some weed as a teen that wanted to become a firefighter later in life, but once again I am afraid that this will come back to haunt me. I understand that we have choices and I made some bad ones, but change is possible. Will these choices I made ruin my chances to become a firefighter? I hope not.
Sorry for such a long post but honestly I have no one to ask these questions too. I have been down to my local station but these aren’t the kinds of things I really want to bother them with in person. Thank you for taking the time to read this. And thanks in advance to any responders.

[beamclamp]

or should I just shut up and get to it? :)

[FFZKLH]

Beamclamp-
First of all, this response is my personal opinion ONLY and should be taken as that and nothing more.

I have been reading this forum for quite some time and I have seen a reocurring theme here of trust and honesty. I know theat every department and probably even some people within a given department are going to vary with regards to your situation. I feel that you have hit the nail on the head when you mention that people change. Yes, we have all perhaps done something at some points in our lives that we are not proud of. The strength of being able to admit it and move on to do the right thing is what sets up apart. Some can do this easily, some can only pay lip service. If you have truly made a change and feel you have what it takes to show it, I would recommend that you go for it. At some point these things may come up, but if you REALLY want this then my opinion is that you should keep your head down, work harder than anyone else around you, and your actions will speak for themselves. It's one thing to SAY that you have changed and want to be a firefighter. It's another thing to "do as you do, not as you say." Again, these are only my opinions. Best of luck to you.
-FFZKLH

[phillipmc]

1 Key thing to remember Fire Fighters are people too, people make mistakes (especially in thier teenage years) I personally do not see a problem with a minor ticket or 2 thats a few years old and a little bit of drug use in your teenage years. As long as you are not getting ticket after ticket and currently using recreational drugs then they will more then likely overlook all of that. The biggest thing you should be focusing on is proving your dedication by working hard to achieve your goals.

This is only my opinion and i wish you the best of luck.

[JohnnyBoy1621]

Beamclamp I hope I can help you. This is my personal opinion, but I have learned most of this stuff from my instructors, various F/F I've talked to and personal ideas.

First the education aspect even though you didn't exactly ask for it. Right now I am attending FCTI down in St. Augustine for my Fire I and II. I live in Jacksonville and commute 5 days a week for class. Late last year I passed my EMT-B exam and am now certified. The school is strictly vocational and its "first come, first serve" so to speak but I love the class and the instructors are awesome. I was originally planning on attending FCCJ but I could never get a clear answer for manyone on what was needed to get in the class, etc.

Now on to the job aspect. The first thing is to remember that there are 30 or so fire academies in Florida ( I think?) so they turn out between 50-100 certified firefighter/emt-b s a year, so there is the competition. To set yourself apart and almost get a job anywhere, get your paramedic. But I'm not going that route, I would rather have whatever county I work for pay the 6K+ for the class. Any experience you have in the medical field will make you look better becasue 80% of calls these days are medical. After my class is over in March I plan on trying to get a job at a hospital as an orderly until I get hired on.

2nd job part. I am personally not really looking at Jacksonville because they don't pay for your schooling. They set up a program to pay for some of their firefighters to become paramedics but something was off with it (not sure, heard from noe of my instructors) but of the original 300+ people that signed up for it only 50ish remain. Another thing is that since all the older firefighter are retiring there is a need for firefighters to replace them, but it will be almost impossible to get any promotions. I spoke to a F/F who transfered to St. Johns from Jacksonville who informed me that the last engineers test Jakcsonville gave over 400 people signed up for 22 slots! One of his friends got a 98 on the test and was number 38, so he didn't even get the promotion.

I will be applying in Jax, Jax Beach, St. John's, Putnam, Clay, and Nassau ( even though I think you have to be a paramedic to work for them). Just remember that once you have alittle experience than its easier to get a job in a department of your choice. I personally would love to work in St. John's becasue they pay for all of your schooling and you can work overtime.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Check out the Prime Osbourne Convention Center this Saturday. There is a F/F trade convention; its supposed to be a blast.

[beamclamp]

Sorry, it has taken so long for me to reply. Everyone gave great advice and information. Some made me a little more nervous than others. It's quite daunting to think that I will be going to school to become a firefighter and may possible not be employed as one when I am done, but that is the risk everyone takes with every degree or certificate or whatever. I know a history major; he works at a little champ. I also know a computer science major that is a waiter. These things are common, but I want this. I will get it. All the things in my past are there in my past. It is true that they may come back to haunt me, but I can't erase them and I am not going to lie about it. I have been thinking a lot about it, and have determined it would be foolish to let those things get in the way. How will I know if I don't try?
Jonnyboy, Thanks. I too will be attending FCTI, and have heard very good things about it. Would it be possible to talk to you more about it? My email addy is rwbrown99@yahoo.com, please contact me and we can talk more, if that is cool with you.
Thanks again everyone. I honestly was a bit nervous about the responses I would receive, but these have all proven to be very positive and uplifting. Thanks again.