Need to know If I can even be a firefighter

[johnnyb3189]

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[The1Engine]

Well you are facing an uphill battle. But there are some things that you can do to help your situation. 1st you will have to get your Juvinile records sealed, or even better expunged(there is a difference).even though they are from before your 18th Birthday, they still have access to them. You should look in to what you need to do online, or even better talk to a lawyer, it might cost you more than a thousand dollars, but that is minor compared to the job of your dreams. This is where it gets tough, you will also have to prove to a judge that society is better with you having these off your record or sealed. Such as what have you done since, why you are a better person? This is where time is on your side, the longer its been since your conviction, the better.

And remember there is a difference between, "Sealed" and "Expunged"

Sealed: There is still evedince of something on your record, but they cant see what it is.

Expunged: The charges are erased from your record, and can only be opened by court order.

Hope this helps, if you need more info let me know

[dmleblanc]

OK, you can get a lawyer and look into all the legal angles about getting your record expunged and all that, and maybe you'll get lucky and land a job. Then what? "Numerous" misdemeanors and a couple of felonies? And you've been off the weed a whole month, huh? Think you can keep your nose clean long enough to hold down a job? Seems like you have a hard time staying out of trouble. What's going to be different once you become a firefighter?

Sounds like you have some growing up to do before you can hope to have the honor and the privelege of being a firefighter. The bar is set pretty high to become a firefighter, compared to most jobs. Lots of competition to get on with a good department. Why would any department want to hire a potential discipline case?

I'm sure someone when you were growing up (parent, teacher, guidance counsellor) tried to point out how your actions today can have far-reaching consequences for your future. Well, this is an example of that. You did some stupid stuff (as recently as this month) and now it might cost you your dream job. Live and learn.

If this sounds harsh and not what you wanted to hear, tough. It is harsh. You have dug yourself a hole that will be hard to get out of, at least as far as a firefighting career goes.

[mattc05]

Numerous misdemeanors and a couple of felonies. Wow, give it time, about 10 years, keep clean and then try again. Like it was said, the competition is way too tough for that kind of record.

[OlieCan]

If this is really what you want, go for the degree, and start taking EMT/ Firefighter 2, and Paramedic class. If you get through all those, that will help a lot. assuming you're like 20ish, you can have all your certifications, and have a degreein fire science, and also be clean for 5 years.

If you want any chance at all, you need to stop doing drugs, and get your **** together, otherwise its a huge no.

[nmfire]

And nowhere in this does he say that he has actually quit the use of marijuana. In fact, it sounds more like he is going to leave it long enough to pass a drug test if at all. I'd say he doesn't have a snowballs chance in a hell at the moment.

This is where it gets tough, you will also have to prove to a judge that society is better with you having these off your record or sealed. Such as what have you done since, why you are a better person?
Considering the only reason will be "so I can get a job", my response as a judge would be "you should have thought about that before you became a little hoodlum. Also, he hasn't actually stopped being a criminal yet concidering he us admitting to using drugs still. I would hope there isn't a judge stupid enough to seal or expunge his record.

[CarnyTheKid]

Johnnyb3189,

As a firefighter my advice to you would be move on to something else at this point. In the state of ohio there are questions that they ask you before you can test for any state certifications and one question is "have you ever been convicted of a felony?" I'm pretty sure if the answer is "yes" then you are not elligible to get the certification. As has already been mentioned before you have dug yourself quite a hole with your criminal past even as a minor. You may be able to test for some jobs but once they see all of that history your name will be thrown out. They are going to look at one what type of criminal history you have and two how long ago it was. I don't know the particulars but you can figure it out.

Lastly, if you just smoked pot last month, don't bother. Most people are proud of what we do and don't need another "firefighter caught with marijuana" in the news. We are held to a higher standard than most and the media jumps at the opportunity to report a police officer or firefighter breaking the law. Frankly, you aren't up to that standard. Maybe in 10 years or so, but not now, you have much bigger issues to work out first. Sorry if this is blunt or offensive, but it's the truth. Most places make you take a lie detector test which would ask you about all these types of questions. Once they find this stuff out, you would be disqualified anyway.

[nmfire]

I always find these posts amusing. Its kind of like "if you have to ask....."

[bugsy2007]

numerous misdemeanor charges and two 5th degree felony charges by the age of 18. BAD, VERY BAD! Was all this from a specific day in time or is it spread out over a couple years? In Chicago, you can't get on the job with a felony let alone two. I would assume thats the case everywere. Go to school and become a lawyer..............

[jbeattie26]

JohnnyB,
You have a lot of work to do if you ever want a career as a FF. But, if your dream is to become a FF then you are going to have to make some serious changes. The only thing that you have on your side is that you are young and still have a lot of time to make up for your past transgressions. I agree that you need to figure out a way to protect your juvenile record, because honestly firefighting is a highly competive process and one that is still held with a high sense of integrity. If you go to school and get a degree along with fire and EMS certifications you will be on the right track to a career as a firefighter. But, you biggest obstacle is going to show members of the oral board and background investigators what you have done since your criminal past. How have you changed yourself and made the community around you better? After you have made changes to you lifestlye and behavior and have reached a certain level of maturity if you could go back and be a mentor to other juveniles and kids that are having law trouble to me that what should that you are serious about your past and wanting to make a difference not only in your life but in peoples lives that have had a similar past. I would also investigate departments that you would like to work for and see how they view your situation. If they tell you that there is no way to make up for your criminal past, then I agree with the other people in this post, move on and find somethings else to do. But, if this is really your dream find a way to make it a reality, becoming a FF is hard enough without a criminal past, you are just going to have to work that much harder to have someone want to hire you. Best of luck.

[Slippery]

Wow,

That is a lot of "mistakes" for an 18 year old. I went through fire academy in Ohio and you couldn't even be in the academy with a conviction on your record. One person in my class was kicked out in the 3rd week because of a juvenile charge that occured while he was living in Texas.

Sorry Charlie I would say that you are SOL...especially with the number of people trying for so few jobs.

[dmleblanc]

I always find these posts amusing. Its kind of like "if you have to ask....."


LOL....:D That's kinda what I was thinking...

But, you biggest obstacle is going to show members of the oral board and background investigators what you have done since your criminal past.

Yeah, but remember, his criminal past was, like....a couple of weeks ago....:rolleyes:

[JayDudley]

I can sum it up even easier...Slim and none...and Slim has left the building.

Sorry,
Jay Dudley, Background Investigator

[Fixxer]

I also have smoked marijuana after my 18th birthday, leaving my last date of use at about a month ago......Somebody once told me you cant be a police officer if you smoked pot in the last 5-7 years so I need to know if that is true for firefighting.

So the only reason you are concerned about the fact that you smoke pot is because you might not be able to become a firefighter. NOT the fact that it's illegal, has adverse health effects, and goes against what a true firefighter role model would stand for. You just don't get it.

I am very stressed out and worried about all this and need to switch my major if its going to be impossible to get hired after I go to school. please let me know

Switch your major. You're not going to become a career firefighter. You don't have what it takes. If you did, you would have made better decisions in your life. I know I wouldn't want you in a position to make life or death decisions. BTW, not to sound cliche, but a firefighter doesn't quit or give up. Instead of busting your ass trying to make things right, you've already conceded. You're ready to switch your major and career path based on what is said on an internet forum. You don't have the heart, discipline, or integrity that is needed.

[kingofdahill]

I can sum it up even easier...Slim and none...and Slim has left the building.

Sorry,
Jay Dudley, Background Investigator

In the words of a well known comedian.
You might be a redneck BJ if your name is jay dudley and you think you give good advice.

Sad thing is there are other idiots out there that agree with you. Cough,cough (dmleblanc) cough......

Nothing like trying to give the kid some encouragement to get his life straight.
MORONS

Hey kid straighten your a$$ out and try it. Thats the most you can do. If it happens it happens if not then you can never say you did not try. Living with the what if is worse then living with failure.

[johnnyb3189]

Ok I hear what everybody is saying but I've heard from a lot of firefighters around here that it is still possible to be a firefighter if I stop everything I was doing and get my **** together. I hear what everybody is saying and I really appreciate the replies but let’s say this... I am 18 right now, turned 18 in March and yes, I've smoked marijuana up until this month. My numerous misdemeanors are things like criminal damaging, trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, etc. My two 5th degree felonies are receiving stolen property and counterfeiting. This was all incurred as a juvenile in the state of Ohio. I am also on juvenile probation still even though I just became an adult. I just need to know if I should just drop out of my college and say screw it or suck it up, make the changes I know I've been needing to make for a long time, and be what I've always wanted to be, a FF. I am planning on getting my juvenile record expunged or sealed, whatever the judge will go for after I graduate my fire school (2 years) and get my degree and everything. The fire school I’m going to gives me my FF 1 and 2 and my paramedic plus other numerous certificates and stuff so I know that will help in the hiring process. Let’s assume I never ever commit another crime or do another drug or do anything bad ever again what are my chances given what I’ve already done????? To answer one person’s question the charges were all spread out over a 3-4 year period. I am so scared… PLEASE HELP!!!!!!! I just read all these replies here at school and now I'm really nervous and scared so any reply would be awesome thanks.

[johnnyb3189]

kingofdahill please contact me on here via private message or johnbuttrick3189@yahoo.com thanks

[OlieCan]

You say you "always wanted to become a firefighter" and yet, you've smoked pot within the last month. I wonder how hard you have strived to get this position. Being a firefighter isn't just "another job" Its a career that requires a lot of time, schooling, dedication, hard work, and heart. You're only 18... that helps. By the time you can get aon a place full time, you SHOULD have 3 years of being clean. If you get to the interviews and such, being clean for 3 years will help. As many will tell you, tiime is your best friend right now. The longer you're clean, the better your chances. The Fire Dept. realizes that people make mistakes, however with you it seems to be a common thing... They will look at your record, and most likely choose someone else, unless you learn to correct all your problems quick.


Still, I wonder how hard you want to become a Firefighter if you smoked pot in the last month. You're already showing signs of mental weakness, and thats something that can't be in the Fire service.

[JayDudley]

Kingofthehill....once again you've jumped in with your holier then thou attitude. This kid has felionies and a drug problem and you think by telling him he can not be hired is ruining his life. There are too many out there who want the job and who have clean records to hire him over them.
I think you need to do what you do best elsewhere. They ask questions here and they want answers so we give that to them.
Slim has still left town and others will be hired.

Respectfully,
Jay Dudley, Retired Fire

[CALFFBOU]

Ummm....Sorry, but I would forget the Firefighter route and do two other things-

1. Work on your english and writing skills.
2. Just focus on being a better citizen in general.

Drugs, two 5th degree felonies are receiving stolen property and counterfeiting...Are you kidding me? Is this some sort of joke?

There are a lot of "I wanna a..." and "I am gonna" in your posting. I suggest getting stable, clear, sober and a normal life just to stay alive first.

Sorry to seem to mean, but get the basics wired first. You already had your shot at a FF position and blew it.

Lastly, I question if this is even a real posting or a troll.

-Bou

[baileydonk]

I just need to know if I should just drop out of my college and say screw it or suck it up, make the changes I know I've been needing to make for a long time, and be what I've always wanted to be, a FF.

Those are what you see as your two choices? Get your dream job or drop out of college and say screw it??? We don't all get our dream jobs, but that doesn't mean we should drop out and work at the local burger joint. Go to college, study a broad range of things, find a career that you like. You're 18, you've got plenty of time to find something you like. The fact is, firefighting is an extremely competitive career, and everyone can't get in. You can go cry about it and give up on everything, or you can be a big boy and find something else to do. Make those changes you've been needing to make - it will help you immensely wherever your life takes you.

[polecat]

Dear John, You must excel at everything you do from here on. Strive to be the very best recruit possible, and im sure theres a dept. somewhere in the country that would be glad to give a reformed, troubled teen a second chance. Don't let all the naysayers discourage you from your goal, prove them all wrong. All the best and for gods sake Johnny be good !

[johnnyb3189]

thank you polecat for your positive feedback

[polecat]

Dude, I hate to see a honest young buck, get reemed out by a bunch of self proclaimed experts, who have no idea what the hiring practices are for every dept. in the nation. And, if having the occassional puff makes one a criminal, there's thousands of firefighters who better turn themselves in, including myself.

[jtizzy]

Dude, I hate to see a honest young buck, get reemed out by a bunch of self proclaimed experts, who have no idea what the hiring practices are for every dept. in the nation. And, if having the occassional puff makes one a criminal, there's thousands of firefighters who better turn themselves in, including myself.


No offense polecat, but the "occassional puff" - I don't think you must have read this kids entire history. The "occassional puffs" are probably the least of his issues. I'm not even going to waste the key strokes giving my opinion on whether or not I think this kid can get hired because as you said nobody knows the hiring practices for every department, but let me ask you this - Would you give him the same advice if it were your money paying for his future education?

JohnnyB - everyone you ask is going to give you a different answer, but whether you are going to be a firefighter or a ditch digger you need to stop committing crimes altogether and that includes the "occassional puffs."

[polecat]

There's no question Johnny has limited himself by his past poor choices. The counterfeiting offence concerns me the most. However I'm sure there are organizations that don't delve into juvenile backgrounds, so those are the depts. that Johnboy needs to target. Normally I don't encourage wannabe felons, however the crimes committed here are not of the heinous variety and I believe this kid has the right attitude and plan to join the ranks. And Tizz, to answer your question, yes I would bankroll his education, if he was my son.

[TWP1980]

My friend, I as a former firefighter can feel your pain, and personally the fire chief that is the smart *** on here shouldn't be a fire chief he seems like a jerk and doesn't care about people. I'm glad i'm covered by his department he reminds me of alot of the jerks I used to volunteer with. All I can say to you is get your **** straight and work hard, and anything is possible, don't let any dip**** or dumb*** tell you you can't do anything, anything is possible. I was a volunteer firefighter starting at the age of 18, one night was with a friend of mine, and he started some hay bales on fire, I couldn't get to him before it went up, at the young age we where and his dad being the police chief. Guess who got the wrap. Yep me, and all I can say is you have to take your **** and run with it. People are always gonna tear you down, people are always going to try and run you over to make themselves happy. I may not be a firefighter at the moment but I will be again, and you will get a million NO's before someone sees you and says yes. But it's hard work and you have to get your **** together.

[JayDudley]

I guess anyone who disagrees with you is a jerk?? You've call a B.C. a jerk just because you do not agree with him. Plane and simple...when asked at a Background Investigation if you have ever been accused of any crimes and he states...yes....felonies and forgery....what do you think the B.I. is going to do???? Get real and quit whining about the "Jerks" who you say are giving this candidate solid advice. There are too many out there with clean records who are going to pass him by and by you giving him some hope is fine...but not realistic.

[CALFFBOU]

Some of you "postive people" need to get a real grip on reality.

Firefighters in general need to keep their noses and pasts clean for the job. This is why the public still looks up to us. And Firefighters like to associate with "their own kind".

So, sorry if someone with a couple of felonys isnt going to get the love here. Me and the other members of my department kept our noses clean to get the badge and thats expected of my peers.

Sorry, but you had the choice in life and blew it. Youre done, move on.

[2andfrom]

Dude, I hate to see a honest young buck, get reemed out by a bunch of self proclaimed experts


If he was --this whole thread would not exist