Couple questions for firefighters

[hoosierdaddy]

1. Whenever I straighten and bend my legs my knees crack. Would this make me fail the medical? I don't know why they do that.

2. Does a volunteer ff start ff1 right when they join? Does it cost anything?

3. How does a probie address an experienced ff that is not a Lieutenant or a Captain? Just by name? This might be a stupid question but I know that the fire organization is built like the military and so I just want to know the proper protocol.

4. I read that it was good to have some trade knowledge when applying. Is it better to know a little bit about various trades or to be an expert on one?

5. Is it possible to get hired with no ff experience? I don't have the money for an academy right now and besides, I thought they were for those already hired. I thought it's best to get hired and learn everything from them than to get in thinking you know something already.

Thanks for your help.

[almsfan21]

Number 2: It depends upon the dept. Some train you to be FF1, and I think it is usually free. Some, just train you without state certifications.

Number 5: Once again, depends on the dept. If you want to get hired on a large dept., then you can get hired without experience. They will then send you to their academy and train you. If, instead, you want to work for a smaller dept, then you may have to have FF1, FF2, and or EMTB/P...it all depends. IMO, I would try and save money for a local community college academy, and get some experience there. The experience gained there will also help with CPAT type tests, and you can speak from experience in interviews.
Just my .02
Good luck

[WaterbryVTfire]

1. Whenever I straighten and bend my legs my knees crack. Would this make me fail the medical? I don't know why they do that.

2. Does a volunteer ff start ff1 right when they join? Does it cost anything?

3. How does a probie address an experienced ff that is not a Lieutenant or a Captain? Just by name? This might be a stupid question but I know that the fire organization is built like the military and so I just want to know the proper protocol.

4. I read that it was good to have some trade knowledge when applying. Is it better to know a little bit about various trades or to be an expert on one?

5. Is it possible to get hired with no ff experience? I don't have the money for an academy right now and besides, I thought they were for those already hired. I thought it's best to get hired and learn everything from them than to get in thinking you know something already.

Thanks for your help.

Answers:

1) No...thats pretty normal. Unless it causes weakness or pain or prevents you from walking there should be no problem.

2) All depends on your dept. Some don't require FF1. Also depends on when the course starts. Depending on your dept., they may pay for it. Cost would vary from place to anther.

3) First name should be fine. Ask, they'll tell you. Some officers may say you can call them by the first name. I call mine by their rank around the station, and by name when not on duty.

4) If you are new, you are new. Don't go in trying to pretend you know what firefighting is all about. BUT, you should go in with knowledge of what the dept., does (EMS/Extrication/HazMat, etc..) And maybe a little history too..

5) Vollie depts., won't care if you have training or not. They'll get it for you. Fulltime, sort of the same they'll send you to their training academy. Some full time depts., do require a college education of some kind. If you do have paramedic or EMT training prior, that is also a big advantage.

Hoep this helps!

[hoosierdaddy]

Thanks for answering my questions you guys. Very helpful.

Waterbury, sorry. For number 4, I was getting at trades like plumbing, electrical, etc. But you still provided some wisdom on that question, so thank you.

[jerry4184]

It depends what you want to do for number four. It's good to have a working knowledge of various trades, but if you want to do something like rescue, it will really help you to be an expert in one particular field, like mechanic work, or something like that.

[johnny46]

1. Whenever I straighten and bend my legs my knees crack. Would this make me fail the medical? I don't know why they do that.

This is knee cavitation and it is caused by the impurities in your water. Drink only purified water straight from electrically discharged bottles and the cracking should disappear within two weeks.

[hoosierdaddy]

This is knee cavitation and it is caused by the impurities in your water. Drink only purified water straight from electrically discharged bottles and the cracking should disappear within two weeks.

Man...that's what the doctor said too.

[hoosierdaddy]

It depends what you want to do for number four. It's good to have a working knowledge of various trades, but if you want to do something like rescue, it will really help you to be an expert in one particular field, like mechanic work, or something like that.

Ok thank you.