Chicago Firefighter

[proby77]

I live in Indiana and am currently in EMT schooling. I talked to some Chicago fireman and they told me that the easiest way to get in instead of waiting on the mile long waiting list is to be a paramedic, get your fire certifications while doing that, and being a paramedic crossover...Does anyone else have any opinions?

[Paddiegrunt]

It helps, most smaller Departments would rather hire a Paramedic than have to sent a Firefighter to paramedic class due to the cost. Larger Department may go eather way.

[mikealz]

I want to be a Chicago Firefighter and am going to get my paramedic & crossover.

[BKDRAFT]

I am so tired of hearing that. Get your medic so you can get hired. :rolleyes: Nothing against you but I am just so tired of hearing it.

[jerry4184]

From everything I've heard, medic crossovers aren't that great. Basically, they are frowned upon because unlike the thousands of other applicants competing for that position, you didn't earn it. You got a medic cert, and just jumped the whole lot of people who tested, and took the job. If you don't want to be a medic, test like everyone else. If you want on a department that runs medic engines or the like, then go ahead and get your medic. But don't go out and get your medic, just so you can jump ahead of everyone else on a test.

[mikealz]

From everything I've heard, medic crossovers aren't that great. Basically, they are frowned upon because unlike the thousands of other applicants competing for that position, you didn't earn it. You got a medic cert, and just jumped the whole lot of people who tested, and took the job. If you don't want to be a medic, test like everyone else. If you want on a department that runs medic engines or the like, then go ahead and get your medic. But don't go out and get your medic, just so you can jump ahead of everyone else on a test.

Yeah, I understand.

I've always wanted to be a firefighter, but the more I learn about being a medic the more I am intrigued by it. I want to get my medic and then figure out what I want to do. I'm not totally sure.. I do know when I go through medic school I'm going to try to become the best medic I can be, I'm not going to do it just to crossover.. Down the road I may crossover - I don't know yet but I am getting my medic either way.

Is that wrong?

[jerry4184]

If you want to be a medic, and that interests you, go for it. Just don't use your medic cert in the future to try to just jump into the fire service, and expect a warm welcome from all people. Even as a medic, you can take the test like everyone else, and show everyone you earned the job. you may get some preference points somewhere for being a medic already, but this way you went through the process, and earned your place based on your aptitude, and ability to pass all the tests, and nott he fact you worked for two years in an ambulance, and have proven no fire related skills at all.

[mikealz]

If you want to be a medic, and that interests you, go for it. Just don't use your medic cert in the future to try to just jump into the fire service, and expect a warm welcome from all people. Even as a medic, you can take the test like everyone else, and show everyone you earned the job. you may get some preference points somewhere for being a medic already, but this way you went through the process, and earned your place based on your aptitude, and ability to pass all the tests, and nott he fact you worked for two years in an ambulance, and have proven no fire related skills at all.

Gives me something to think about.

Thanks for the advice.

[SectorB]

To even think about crossing over you need to get hired as a medic and pass the academy. Then have about 5 years on roughly and be on that current Fire side hiring list. This info has come from many people that are on CFD. Good luck and study hard.

[giweff]

I say if being a medic helps you get a fire Job than do what you need to do. If people say dont do it b/c you jump other people in line. O Well you deserve it you have more schooling than the others so why shouldnt you get to jump in front of people who are not paramedics. Just my two cents and i am a firefighter in St. Louis county and some departments wont hire you unless you are a medic and others you have a advantage over others.

[mikealz]

Thanks for the info.

I'm only 18, but graduating HS in a week & want to get on the CFD some day. I will be taking EMT & Fire Science classes after summer at my local community college and am still not sure of the career path to take. Any suggestions? Also, is there a required age limit to be a CFD? And what ages do they typically hire?

Would getting my paramedic and testing like everyone else give me any advantages when trying to get hired for CFD?

[jerry4184]

you might want to check with some of the guys on here from Chicago, there are a few.

[clark918]

The one problem that you might have with CFD is that they just recently tested.(last winter I think) If I'm not mistaken, they last tested before that in 1996. So if they wait 10 years again, it could be awhile. Being a Medic might be what you need.

Like Jerry said though, try to find someone on this forum that works for CFD. They will know a lot more than us. Good luck though.

[RESERVEFORNOW]

From everything I've heard, medic crossovers aren't that great. Basically, they are frowned upon because unlike the thousands of other applicants competing for that position, you didn't earn it. You got a medic cert, and just jumped the whole lot of people who tested, and took the job. If you don't want to be a medic, test like everyone else. If you want on a department that runs medic engines or the like, then go ahead and get your medic. But don't go out and get your medic, just so you can jump ahead of everyone else on a test.

So based on your logic, why be in shape? Why get a college degree? Why get your FF1 or FF2? Why be a vollie first? Why use a connection you may have to get you started in the process? Etc. Etc.

Sorry for the negativity, but the fact is that the hiring process is based on what you have to offer over others. You may not have ALL of these things over everyone, but you have to look at what sets you apart from others. Yeah, you may have some more work to do to prove yourself on the fireground or other areas, but if you have your medic cert, then you have one thing that may set you apart from other candidates. Also as mentioned, some departments now require it, so if you can do it now you're one step ahead.
Just my .02

[jerry4184]

I never said don't get a medic, I said don't simply get a medic, because you want to be a firefighter. If you don't want to be a paramedic, it doesn't help you or your patient's to get hired somewhere, as a fire/medic, because you'll more than likely be spending more than half your time, as a paramedic.

If he wants simply to be a firefighter for the city of chicago, he should simply test like everyone else, and not count on a paramedic crossover down the road. NOTE, I said test like everyone else. He's saying he'd do a medic crossover, where he doesn't test and get placed on the hiring list, he laterally transfers and is magically a firefighter.

Being in shape, and getting FF1 and FF2 are great. I highly reccomend those as well. The entire point of my post however, wasn't don't seek training. It was don't seek training if it's for a job you don't want, and don't count on just getting a medic cert, and magically being accepted in the firehouse, with a bunch of guys who had to test and wait for the job, versus your lateral career transfer.

[BKDRAFT]

It's great to set goals and have a "dream" department you would love to work for. Just don't put all your eggs in one basket.

[CFD5Alarm]

'burbs pay more, just get on with them.

[BKDRAFT]

'burbs pay more, just get on with them.

All the fun is in the city.

[proby77]

I never said don't get a medic, I said don't simply get a medic, because you want to be a firefighter. If you don't want to be a paramedic, it doesn't help you or your patient's to get hired somewhere, as a fire/medic, because you'll more than likely be spending more than half your time, as a paramedic.

If he wants simply to be a firefighter for the city of chicago, he should simply test like everyone else, and not count on a paramedic crossover down the road. NOTE, I said test like everyone else. He's saying he'd do a medic crossover, where he doesn't test and get placed on the hiring list, he laterally transfers and is magically a firefighter.

Being in shape, and getting FF1 and FF2 are great. I highly reccomend those as well. The entire point of my post however, wasn't don't seek training. It was don't seek training if it's for a job you don't want, and don't count on just getting a medic cert, and magically being accepted in the firehouse, with a bunch of guys who had to test and wait for the job, versus your lateral career transfer.


The thing is that I want to be a paramedic at the same time and want to be on the CFD. I do have to agree that if getting my medic cert helps me jump in line then so be it...It does mean more education

[jerry4184]

Do you want to be a medic, or a firefighter? As far as I know, the city of Chicago doesn't let you be both. If you want to be a medic, be a medic. If you want to be a firefighter, be a firefighter. Don't be a medic simply so you can cut in line when it comes time to hire firefighters, that don't do medic work.

[bfdtruckie12]

Crossovers still have to take the test.You still have to pass I sat next to 4 CFD medics and we all took the same test. adn are waiting same as everyone else.

[DennisTheMenace]

From everything I've heard, medic crossovers aren't that great. Basically, they are frowned upon because unlike the thousands of other applicants competing for that position, you didn't earn it. You got a medic cert, and just jumped the whole lot of people who tested, and took the job. If you don't want to be a medic, test like everyone else. If you want on a department that runs medic engines or the like, then go ahead and get your medic. But don't go out and get your medic, just so you can jump ahead of everyone else on a test.I look at it from the opposite light. Those that take the fire test and get in take the quick way in(although it might be a long wait), this is for Chicago and FDNY. Those that go the EMS/Medic route invest their time working their way into the system. No matter how they get in everyone has to attend and pass the academy, so everyone on the job should be of atleast the same minimal qualifications. Are you willing to take two years of your life to get on the job working for the EMS side, or are you only willing to give up one day to take the test? If one guy took the time to work on the side of the job rather then just testing in, I will give him respect.

[jerry4184]

But he's not working the fire side of the job. I ride an ambo for a living. That in no way makes me more quaified come hiring time for a firefighter position. Just like being a garbage man doesn't make me qualified to be a firefighter on a civil service transfer.

[randsc]

Question, just for sh!ts and giggles.

How does passing a (never terribly difficult, and now even more degraded by PC concerns) written test and a pass/fail CPAT constitute "earning" a job? While working a difficult job that requires leanring the neighborhoods of your city, understanding discipline, and showing deidication and trainability does not?

[DennisTheMenace]

Question, just for sh!ts and giggles.

How does passing a (never terribly difficult, and now even more degraded by PC concerns) written test and a pass/fail CPAT constitute "earning" a job? While working a difficult job that requires leanring the neighborhoods of your city, understanding discipline, and showing deidication and trainability does not?Exactly.

Look at the military, there are more than a few MOS's that require high ASVAB scores to get right out of boot camp, but a lat move after your first enlistment can be made with lower scores. So does that mean that the kid who went right earned the job, while the salty guys did not?

[DennisTheMenace]

But he's not working the fire side of the job. I ride an ambo for a living. That in no way makes me more quaified come hiring time for a firefighter position. Just like being a garbage man doesn't make me qualified to be a firefighter on a civil service transfer.Sure it makes one more qualified, it proves you understand ICS and a whole host of other relevent things that a two hour test does not. Those serving as medics still need to pass the test, they just work there way up the list rather then working else where for others during the wait. That show much more commitment to me.

[jerry4184]

I don't know, maybe i'm just stuck on the whole, I want to get my medic, because i want to be a firefighter. Why waste your time with getting a certification you obviously don't want, because your goal, isn't to be a paramedic. Especially in a place like Chicago, where you won't even be riding an ambulance as a firefighter. Sure, there will be the occassional drive in for something, but it just seems like a waste to me.

I seem to be on the wrong end of the opinion that everyone should just get their medic, so they can do a job, that isn't paramedic.

[proby77]

No ur not understanding!!! I want to be a medic so I can get the fire job. The chicago firemen that i talked to told me that is the easiest way to get on so why not??? They told me that they're always looking for more firemen on the engine that are certified as medics...Exactly why it jumps in line!!!

[jerry4184]

Chicago doesn't run medic engines as far as I know. They have their own ambulances with medics on them.

I'm not misunderstanding your point at all, you just said exactly what I said, you want to get your paramedic, to cut in at the top of the line, so you can be a firefighter, and not a paramedic.

[proby77]

Chicago doesn't run medic engines as far as I know. They have their own ambulances with medics on them.

I'm not misunderstanding your point at all, you just said exactly what I said, you want to get your paramedic, to cut in at the top of the line, so you can be a firefighter, and not a paramedic.

If that gets me on quicker...I don't see ur deal. I'm already on a volunteer department and have all my certs. Besides people do that to get on Chicago all the time.

[jerry4184]

A medic crossover isn't getting your medic, and then applying to the department, it's being employed as a medic by the city, and then just transferring into the fire department, as a firefighter.

My deal is, I hate people that get their paramedic but don't really want it. I'm in EMS for my living, and people just go to medic school, because it looks better on a fire department application. We have a medic shortage all over the country, but a ton of medics who go to school, and then never use their medic, because they don't actually want to be one.

[DennisTheMenace]

A medic crossover isn't getting your medic, and then applying to the department, it's being employed as a medic by the city, and then just transferring into the fire department, as a firefighter.

My deal is, I hate people that get their paramedic but don't really want it. I'm in EMS for my living, and people just go to medic school, because it looks better on a fire department application. We have a medic shortage all over the country, but a ton of medics who go to school, and then never use their medic, because they don't actually want to be one.We have a lot of Lawyers in this country too, and a ton of them don't really want to be one. You need to take advantage of this situation and in this capitalistic society start up your own Medic School or convince an area school to strat one up with you as the head. ;) Don't hate the system that provides society with better trained and rounded firefighters, take advantage of the system instead. ;)

[proby77]

Again i agree with denace the menace!!! Who cares if I am getting my medic so i can be a fireman!! If it gets me the job who cares??!!! If it was such a big deal, they wouldn't let people do it...

[PyroPat]

Again i agree with denace the menace!!! Who cares if I am getting my medic so i can be a fireman!! If it gets me the job who cares??!!! If it was such a big deal, they wouldn't let people do it...




You are obviously young, and have no experience whatsoever, which is why you are saying its " no big deal"......


Being a medic is a HUGE (HUGE HUGE HUGE!!!) Responsibility man. If you are just doing it because you want a fire job, chances are thats all you will be thinking about, and your patient care will be BULL****...You need a gutcheck ,its obvious. YOU need some reality in your life man. Is it worth it that you kill someone in the back of the box because you were stupid, didn't pay attention in class because all you were thinking about is fire, because you were "just doing this for a fire job"??? and then on top of that, you loose your license for negligence, get sewed by the patients family, then you get put in jail and NEVER get a fire job? Think I'm being over the top? Guess what, wake up, it happens. This happens all the time, and you better start thinking about what you really want, because if you really DON'T wanna be a medic, your life will be a nightmare in the back of the box, AND in school....but good luck dude, you are gonna need it.

[Firedawg1983]

well anyone who tested last year for Chicago for the firefighter position you are going to be waiting alot longer for the position. There has been a legal battle going on since 1996(last testing) and they are fighting over the number of each race, ethnicity, ect to hire. which is stupid. We all work together as a team, as a family, but politics are always an issue. Anyone have questions about CFD email me. airforcefirefighter23@hotmail. com

Brian

[DennisTheMenace]

You are obviously young, and have no experience whatsoever, which is why you are saying its " no big deal"......


Being a medic is a HUGE (HUGE HUGE HUGE!!!) Responsibility man. If you are just doing it because you want a fire job, chances are thats all you will be thinking about, and your patient care will be BULL****...You need a gutcheck ,its obvious. YOU need some reality in your life man. Is it worth it that you kill someone in the back of the box because you were stupid, didn't pay attention in class because all you were thinking about is fire, because you were "just doing this for a fire job"??? and then on top of that, you loose your license for negligence, get sewed by the patients family, then you get put in jail and NEVER get a fire job? Think I'm being over the top? Guess what, wake up, it happens. This happens all the time, and you better start thinking about what you really want, because if you really DON'T wanna be a medic, your life will be a nightmare in the back of the box, AND in school....but good luck dude, you are gonna need it.You gotta be nuts! You really think that a guy wanting to be a firefighter is going to make him a bad medic? So is every cop out there going to let all the bad guys go since we all know they all want to be firefighters? Are all the guys out there in large departments where they essentially need to be Medics to ever get promoted like Fairfax County, both LA City and County, DC, etc. all providing substandard care while they work their way up the ranks? Get real!

[Higby916]

Again i agree with denace the menace!!! Who cares if I am getting my medic so i can be a fireman!! If it gets me the job who cares??!!! If it was such a big deal, they wouldn't let people do it...

Gotta agree with you here. You're paying to take this course and if you want to do it while trying to become a firefighter, how is that wrong? How can it ever be wrong to gain more information, attain more qualifications, become part of a team, learn the system and then/still apply to be something else. Being a medic doesn't make you a firefighter, but neither does taking the test. You will still have to run the same road as everyone else (as you seem to be aware), but when it comes to choosing who gets the interview, your qualifications and experience may make you a better candidate to interview and potentially hire.
Also jerry, we run a completely separate ambulance service here, all are paramedics (there's no EMT-B or drivers here) and we still respond on a tiered system which means if there's a medical, we're going. We have a couple of ex-paramedics on the job and their knowledge and experience is a huge asset, especially downtown.

Get your medic kid, if nothing else, if gives you two career choices.

[JHR1985]

I got my medic patch to get a fire job. I dont particually care for being a medic but I do enjoy my job. Does that mean that I will be a crappy medic? No.....

Means that if i didnt have to, I wouldnt do it

[proby77]

Thanks all you guys that are with me on this one... And yeah, I am young. I'm 18 years old. But that's not going to make me a crappy medic. Look at all the other guys that have gotten their medic cert so they can get on a good department...

[JHR1985]

Let me ask you something.

Say that you were a cop and you were dying to get on the swat team. You desired it so badly because you wanted to be one of the best. You worked out hard everyday and you studied your butt off non-stop for the upcoming written and physical test. When the day comes, you know that you are ready and that you will be number one. You take the test and sure enough, you blow everyone else out of the water.

Your ranked 1 after the written, physical, and interview. You are sure you have it.

And then instead, they give it to some slob dispatcher who just happens to have a cop cert. Now, you were number 1 and you had worked years to achieve what you got but you got passed over by somebody.... just because they had a few more years in a whole seperate city service.

Now, thats what happens with crossovers. Someone who might be 2x times better than the crossover gets the shaft because he doesnt have his medic patch. But, then again, the flipside could be true but not normally.

But, then again, you got the remember that the CFD's test was just F'ed up beyond belief and this isnt a perfect world. So, the most qualified are getting screwed anyway right now. But, just something to keep in mind

[DennisTheMenace]

Let me ask you something.

Say that you were a cop and you were dying to get on the swat team. You desired it so badly because you wanted to be one of the best. You worked out hard everyday and you studied your butt off non-stop for the upcoming written and physical test. When the day comes, you know that you are ready and that you will be number one. You take the test and sure enough, you blow everyone else out of the water.

Your ranked 1 after the written, physical, and interview. You are sure you have it.

And then instead, they give it to some slob dispatcher who just happens to have a cop cert. Now, you were number 1 and you had worked years to achieve what you got but you got passed over by somebody.... just because they had a few more years in a whole seperate city service.

Now, thats what happens with crossovers. Someone who might be 2x times better than the crossover gets the shaft because he doesnt have his medic patch. But, then again, the flipside could be true but not normally.

But, then again, you got the remember that the CFD's test was just F'ed up beyond belief and this isnt a perfect world. So, the most qualified are getting screwed anyway right now. But, just something to keep in mindSo you and a dispatcher have the same "cop" advantage and you score higher and they give him the job? I do not follow your reasoning here at all. If being a certified dispatcher gives someone more of a chance in your theoretical, I would say that your SWAT Groupie is a fool for not getting such dispatcher training himself if he knows it is what it takes to get the job.

Life is not fair, no test or hiring process is 100% fair, but theyare developed to make it as fair as possible while providing dedicated folks more than one single way on to the job. If you really want to join CFD and being a medic makes it easier, then me a Medic. If you don't really want to be a part of CFD than don't and take your lower chances.

And except for maybe the physically fit side, I have yet to meet someone that was smart enough to get their Medic Certs who was not in the top half of the department particularly when it comes to brains and figureing stuff out. It takes a degree of dedication that can be transfered right to the fireside. Remember, none of these tests evaluate guts, so a guy that scores 100% on the written is no more or less likely to be ready to run into the fire than anyone who got on the job another way or scored lower.

[JHR1985]

have yet to meet someone that was smart enough to get their Medic Certs who was not in the top half of the department particularly when it comes to brains and figureing stuff out



Oh crap.... I havent laughed this hard in such a long time. Thanks... I needed that

I do not follow your reasoning here at all. If being a certified dispatcher gives someone more of a chance in your theoretical, I would say that your SWAT Groupie is a fool for not getting such dispatcher training himself if he knows it is what it takes to get the job.


So, on a job that does not require you to be a medic, your saying that your a fool for not getting that extra medic patch and being able to sneak your way in?

[DennisTheMenace]

So, on a job that does not require you to be a medic, your saying that your a fool for not getting that extra medic patch and being able to sneak your way in?If being a medic is a ticket you can punch to make it easier to get your dream job, than of course you would be a fool to not pursue that route. Do what ever you can to make it easier, they are paying you to be a medic, so it is not a waste of your time. I would think that anyone going that route would also have applied during any open test sessions as well.

One non-fireservice example of doing what it takes would be two of my H.S. friends(yeah this is a long time ago now) both wanted to go to the Naval Academy. One guy was a smart cookie, high SAT's, was a great 3.9GPA student, steller athlete, Eagle Scout, etc, applied, recieved a nomination from our Congressman and got right in to Annapolis.
Other friend was a great athlete, also an Eagle Scout, but only a so so student with OK SAT's. He applied too but was pretty much laughed out of the admissions process. So instead he enlisted in the Marine Corps, worked hard to show himself to be a good Marine and asset to the Nation, and applied for one of the Commandant's appointments. He recieved it but first had to spend a year at the Naval Academy Prep School.
Since the Commandant does not use all of his appointments every year, when he does that takes up a slot of a kid who could have entered straight from H.S. who will most likely have MUCH higher scores than any one that goes the enlisted route. So do you think that the kids who get in through the enlistment route are backdooring it and undeserving of their slot and future commission?

[JHR1985]

So, what you are saying is that, more qualified people were passed over because of the fact that the kid was able to backdoor his way in... and your asking me if that is okay?

In a perfect world, I would say that your a complete dumbass but this isnt a perfect world and the chicago test is far from perfect. But, that being said, if you cant score high enough on the enterance exams tests or whatnot.... and being a medic is the only way you can get on, while pushing people who did score high on the exam and are better qualified, then I will flat out tell you that is wrong.

Perfect example is the FDNY test. Its, to put bluntly, you do good through it all and get hired. CFD's test unluckily isnt as well done. Ask FFFRed what he thinks of backdoor people.

Most will tell you..... its the way fat slobs get on. So, more power to you if you want to be one of those fat slobs.

But, like I said, the Chicago test isnt exactly fair. Its more along the lines of a kick in the ding ding with a metal shoe. But, if you cant score high enough on the tests or past the physicals..... and cant even meet the minium requirements.... and backdoor it through, would anyone want that firefighter working beside them?

[DennisTheMenace]

So, what you are saying is that, more qualified people were passed over because of the fact that the kid was able to backdoor his way in... and your asking me if that is okay?Nope, I am pointing out that there is more than one way to accomplish a goal. Also that folks bring different qualifications to a job. Some bring simple regurgative knowledge, others bring persistance and earn extra credit, if you will, to the process. Extra points go to military right? So why not give extra points to the guys that actually worked for the department? Did you never do the extra credit work to bring your grade up to a higher level in school? Does that mean that your grade was less qualified than the person who did not do the extra credit and got the same score? Really it all comes down to the old saying, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

In a perfect world, I would say that your a complete dumbass but this isnt a perfect world and the chicago test is far from perfect. But, that being said, if you cant score high enough on the enterance exams tests or whatnot.... and being a medic is the only way you can get on, while pushing people who did score high on the exam and are better qualified, then I will flat out tell you that is wrong. I still don't get how anyone can say that a score on a simple two hour test makes someone truely better qualified than the next guy. What if the more qualified guy got in a fight with his girlfriend/wife in the way to the test and his state of mind made him make a simple mistake that cost him a point over they guy who got a perfect night's sleep and made the key guess on that one question he was not sure of but put him over the top? How does taking that two hour multiple guess test successfully make someone a more qualified candidate than the guy that also takes the test, scores inthe same general range, but also showed his devotion and drive for the job by taking a "lesser" position in the department? No test and no hiring process is perfect or even fair. Best you can do is hope to get a good pool of recruits out of a test that you can train up to the same high standards.


Perfect example is the FDNY test. Its, to put bluntly, you do good through it all and get hired. CFD's test unluckily isnt as well done. Ask FFFRed what he thinks of backdoor people.

Most will tell you..... its the way fat slobs get on. So, more power to you if you want to be one of those fat slobs.

But, like I said, the Chicago test isnt exactly fair. Its more along the lines of a kick in the ding ding with a metal shoe. But, if you cant score high enough on the tests or past the physicals..... and cant even meet the minium requirements.... and backdoor it through, would anyone want that firefighter working beside them?From what I understand of Chicago and FDNY, you still have to pass those tests to get on the job, and you still have to go through the same academy, your scores have to be high too, your wait might just be cut down. And why does Fred care how someone came on, if they got through the academy is he going to leave them behind? Or does he really think they will leave him behind? These are not folks who could not get the minimum scores, they are folks that did get the score and went and pass the academy just like everyone else with the title Firefighter.

[proby77]

Sounds to me like some of you are pissed cuz u weren't the ones getting the job because you didn't have as much education as others who ended up getting the job...

[jerry4184]

I'm pretty sure most of the guys on here are already on the job, and some were on it before there was even such a thing as a paramedic.

[Higby916]

So, what you are saying is that, more qualified people were passed over because of the fact that the kid was able to backdoor his way in... and your asking me if that is okay?

In a perfect world, I would say that your a complete dumbass but this isnt a perfect world and the chicago test is far from perfect. But, that being said, if you cant score high enough on the enterance exams tests or whatnot.... and being a medic is the only way you can get on, while pushing people who did score high on the exam and are better qualified, then I will flat out tell you that is wrong.

Perfect example is the FDNY test. Its, to put bluntly, you do good through it all and get hired. CFD's test unluckily isnt as well done. Ask FFFRed what he thinks of backdoor people.

Most will tell you..... its the way fat slobs get on. So, more power to you if you want to be one of those fat slobs.

But, like I said, the Chicago test isnt exactly fair. Its more along the lines of a kick in the ding ding with a metal shoe. But, if you cant score high enough on the tests or past the physicals..... and cant even meet the minium requirements.... and backdoor it through, would anyone want that firefighter working beside them?

I think you are mistaken in what you think is going to happen for this guy if he takes this course and becomes a medic. It is not a guarantee to a job, it is not a backdoor in, it is simply another qualification that may give him some extra points towards his chance at an interview. Who in their right mind would look at a resume and test results and say, "Well he sucked ass on the tests, but hey, he's a medic! Let's not even interview him and just give him a job because he took a course!" I think it's assinine of anyone to think this and to give those in charge of hiring in Chicago such little credit.

As for becoming a medic to help secure another job, I still am not sure how this is wrong, it's in the same field. Many departments like you to have medical experience and knowledge because a lot of our calls are medicals. They also like applicants with trades, especially mechanical trades. So let's say this candidate becomes a small engine mechanic in hopes of becoming a firefighter, does this make him a poor mechanic?

You can do very well on written tests and pass a physical and that does not make you a good firefighter. Why is relevent experience less important in your eyes. I really appreciate being on a call with someone with medical experience, such as an ex-military medic and an ex-paramedic who are both on my platoon. Your logic seems really skued to me.

[JHR1985]

I would love to have someone with experience get on the job with me. Thats not the issue. If he wants to transfer, great. Study and beat everyone else. Just because you have experience or work in a different department doesnt make you any more special than the guy who doesnt. If your the best medic in the whole department but you cant pass a simple 6th grade test.... you dont need the job.

But, thats just my opinon and no one is going to change it.

[Higby916]

I would love to have someone with experience get on the job with me. Thats not the issue. If he wants to transfer, great. Study and beat everyone else. Just because you have experience or work in a different department doesnt make you any more special than the guy who doesnt. If your the best medic in the whole department but you cant pass a simple 6th grade test.... you dont need the job.

But, thats just my opinon and no one is going to change it.

Transfer? Okay, you lost me. What's that? (of course I know what a transfer, that was said tongue in cheek). There is no such thing as a transfer here. You start the application process like everyone else. Your job experience is just that, experience, not a walk on. I have never heard of transfers, except from on PD to another. Hell, even POC have to do the entire recruitment and still are not guaranteed a job.

I was under the impression that he was going to get the medic stamp as experience for the process and not as a transfer.

[jerry4184]

He said he wants to use it as a lateral transfer. FDNY does this. You ride a band aid box for a couple years, and next thing you know, you are at the top of the fd's list for firefighters, and it's considered an interdepartmental transfer.

[JHR1985]

I was under the impression that he was going to get the medic stamp as experience for the process and not as a transfer.

I was under the impression that he was going to ride the box for a few years then doing a lateral over to the good side just to bypass everyone quicker.

But, like I've said, the CFD test was F'ed up but if someone did that in the FDNY and couldnt get it because his score was so far behind.... the transfer route is something he would never live down