Help Please!!!

[dbarajas10]

Here is my siutation: I just got a DUI this weekend. I feel that my dream of becoming a firefighter just went down the drain. I just really glad nobody else was involved and nobody was hurt, except for my dream. I feel so ashamed and embarassed for what happened. I wish I could take it back, but I can't which is why it hurts so bad. I am 21 years old and I know that this event will change how people view me as a fire/ems candidate. I got my EMT cert and right now finishing up my AA in Fire technology. My plan is to then work as an EMT and eventually get into PM school. I feel that I am going to have trouble getting hired as a EMT, let alone a firefighter.

I am feeling a little low right now, but I really want to show people that I do want to help people and be a firefighter/pm one day. I can't erase the past, but I certainly have learned a valuable lesson.

Is the fire service realisticly out of reach for me?
How about even working as an EMT in CA where I live? Any advice would be of great help. Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

[HonorTheFallen]

Don't know much about Cali, but here, DUI's don't do anything to help your resume. I don't know of a department that has less than a 3 year DUI clause. What I mean is, all dept's that I know of you can't have had a DUI in the last 3 years... some are even more strict than that. Do what you can to bide your time until the departments in which your interested in will let you test. Don't ever give up though.

Good luck!

[Fargo2722]

Wow. That sounds like a bad weekend bro. Glad no one was hurt. For what it is worth I have a friend that is a career FF now that got a DUI, did his time, community service, rehab classes, paid the fines, kissed a lot of a$$, and then proceeded to work his a$$ off to get his dream job. Honestly some of us were surprised they hired him with the DUI on his record but somehow he overcame it and he didn't let up. While what you did was wrong and dangerous. You exercised poor judgement. The good news is you're 21. You have time on your side and a very tough road ahead that is going to test your determination and desire to get the job you want. So you can either write it off and pursue another career or you could take this time to turn everything around. What better to take up a few years than going to school? When it comes up you can show the deaprtment that it was a mistake, stupid, and demonstrate how you've turned your life around since that time.

I used to drive very badly. Speeding (only 1 ticket luckily), agressive, road rager, etc. I even got behind the wheel a few times i shouldn't have. Once I recognized that I wanted to be a full time FF however I scaled back. Now i'm the guy in the right lane with the cruise control set at 55MPH smiling and waving to the folks speeding by me because I want to keep my record clean as I continue to try and get my dream job. I'm also the guy that calls a cab now or is the designated driver. It sounds cliche but in order to make this happen you have to accept responsiblity and make the best of it. Good luck and STAY SAFE!!!!!!!
-wpw

[rumedic1]

Sounds like you said you just got the DUI. You did not say you have been convicted of DUI. Make an investment in your future and get a good attorney what have you got to lose

[dbarajas10]

Thanks to all you guys for the comments. I will use these coming years wisely and exercise them in the most positive manner. thanks again fellas

To rumedic 1: i just got pulled over on sat night so havent been convicted yet. i know i have 10 days to request a hearing.