Need to know if I can even be a firefighter, pt 2

[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.

[jtizzy]

why 2 threads?

[johnnyb3189]

Can fire departments even access my juvenile record?

[JayDudley]

I know I've said slim and none are your chances and I've sent you an e-mail stating your chances....but like I told you before...keep trying and someone may hire you. There are alot of candidates who are out there who have clean records and I think they would be hired over you. Who know's . Just keep your nose clean..get your degrees and give it a try.

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

[rdub244]

Anything is possible. Department near me hired former deputy who killed two people while drinking and driving and left the scene after he struck them...

[CALFFBOU]

Anything is possible. Department near me hired former deputy who killed two people while drinking and driving and left the scene after he struck them...


Ummm....yeah. Sounds like a "I heard it from..." story.

First- Most people's past are hidden unless you did the research into that person's background. Did you see the aucual BG packet or conduct an interview? I saw this because people spead rumors daily about other applicant's BG and rarely have the facts.


Second- We talking fire service here, not LE. There is a big difference in the demand for qualified applicants.

[FLA1786]

"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."

JohnnyB, either way you should make the changes buddy, whether you become a firefighter, or an engineer. Your sheet is pretty extensive and most of the stuff on there isn't everyday juvy stuff. If this school excepted you and is willing to train you that puts you in a position to stay out of trouble for 2 years. If the program really does certify you as a paramedic then by all means do it. If you make it thru paramedic (VERY TOUGH) you can come out 20 or 21 as a paramedic, get a job with a private company and wait til someone hires you. If you get out of school and work 2 years as a paramedic that puts you 4 years removed from the old johnnyb, if you get shot down your first try(like we all do), and you keep coming back, youll be distancing yourself from the old you while proving youre a good medic, that you can stay out of trouble, and that you wont quit. A department may just be willing to pick you up. And if the private ambos in your area do transport, then that is a GREAT way to make an impression.

Get away from your crew now, quit the herb, lay off the sauce, focus 100% on school and dont quit. Thats all you can do so dont try and make it anything more or anything less, and if all else fails you have a great career as a PM.

[JayDudley]

Yes ..we as Background Investigators have access to your minor records. Trust me when I say...with two felonies on your record I would not let you get past my step. Others might but they are few and far between.

Respectfully,
Jay Dudley, Retired Fire

[Slippery]

Like I said in the other thread johnny, you might want to check if you can even get into the fire academy with those convictions on your record. Also the State of Ohio requires that you provide all of your past convictions before they will entertain the idea of giving you any certs, Fire or EMS. If I were you I would make a few phone calls before I spent my money on class that won't get me the certifications I needed to become a FF.

[nmfire]

Can fire departments even access my juvenile record?

For $60, you get it all here.

[rdub244]

Haha I wish it was an "I heard it from story". It happened from the last test they had and it was for a firefighter, not LE. No need to jump to conclusions. It happens.
I'll dig up a link for ya.

Ummm....yeah. Sounds like a "I heard it from..." story.

First- Most people's past are hidden unless you did the research into that person's background. Did you see the aucual BG packet or conduct an interview? I saw this because people spead rumors daily about other applicant's BG and rarely have the facts.


Second- We talking fire service here, not LE. There is a big difference in the demand for qualified applicants.

[JayDudley]

Just to let you know...When I did backgrounds and oral exams it was for both Fire and Police. If anything the Police orals give you more latitude to ask the hard questions. The backgrounds were the same....through!

Respectfully,
Jay Dudley, Retired Fire

[nameless]

Ohio lets felons be paramedics? glad Im not from ohio

[cb1776]

Wait like.......................... ....10 years, smoke but don't INHALE, trasspass but don't STEAL anything, keep your nose clean and maybe you will have a shot.......... anything's possible:)

[LightsAndSirens]

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

Good call on this probably being a troll post, CALFFBOU. Either that or he's fudging facts, because some of the things he wrote sounded made up to me.

[The1Engine]

Can fire departments even access my juvenile record?

The answer to that question Jonny is YES... I experienced it first hand, and lost a job offer due to it.

[giweff]

I don’t even think you and get National Regrestry or a state paramedic license with a felony conviction. You may want to look at that before you waste all the time in school. And you have a very small chance of getting a job with a record the fire service of to day is a lot tougher to get in. There are more people who want to be firefighters than jobs that are available.

[Slippery]

nameless- No you can't get a EMS certification from the state of Ohio if you have any convictions that involve drugs. Go to the website ems.ohio.gov and it lists all of the certs that they have revoked in their disciplinary meetings.

[JayDudley]

Like I've said in the first thread...Slim and none...and Slims' left the building.

Respectfully,
Jay Dudley, Retired Fire

[kingofdahill]

Isn't there a bingo game you can go to or something? The fun you called your job in looking up the wrongs in peoples lives is over. Let it rest.

[JayDudley]

The candidate asks....Can he still be a firefighter with TWO FELONIES and numerous minor infractions ??? Let me ask you...would you hire him over a clean candidate. If your asnswer is yes then who's blowing smoke.(Cough,Cough). I think you need to rethink your response while I go back to my Bingo..

[kingofdahill]

The candidate asks....Can he still be a firefighter with TWO FELONIES and numerous minor infractions ??? Let me ask you...would you hire him over a clean candidate. If your asnswer is yes then who's blowing smoke.(Cough,Cough). I think you need to rethink your response while I go back to my Bingo..

The days of yes sir, no maam kids are gone. Maybe you still like to believe they exist but I'm here to tell you they don't. Times have changed. The following is from a great book which stuck with me since I first read it.

Reverend scholz long ago decided that there was something special to firemen and their traditions,that they had chosen their profession because it EXPANDED their lives and gave those lives ADDITIONAL MEANING. Many of the men,he said were NOT necessarily ANGELS or SAINTLY-far from it,in fact -and they were NOT,in the traditional sense necessarily very religous. But there was also a certain spiritual redemption to what they did. They could be on occasion rowdy and combative and they had their alloted share of HUMAN FLAWS,of which they themselves were often all too AWARE. But whatever they had done wrong the night before, the next morning when they were at the firehouse, they were able to take extra meaning from their lives,and to find some form of REDMPTION because of the nature of the job,Because of the risks they take for complete strangers.

R.I.P
David Halberstam

You should take a lesson from these words. I guess thats why this book was written about a company in what is considered the best fire dept. in the world. And not the dept. you hired for. Thank god someone gave these men that chance.

Now of course you do not want violent criminals working. But you guys really find flaws in everyone who comes on these boards looking for advice. To tell someone they have a "slim" chance when you don't know the full story is rediculous.

[nameless]

with the amount of applicants vs. the amount of open spots, I don't get why an agency would take a chance on someone that has a record. Theres always otehr applicants

[Fixxer]

The days of yes sir, no maam kids are gone. Maybe you still like to believe they exist but I'm here to tell you they don't. Times have changed.

Perhaps the people you associate with are like that, but not everyone. The comment you made just shows your ignorance. So according to your "research" there are no kids with clean backgrounds and respectful demeanors? Yeah, OK. Sounds like Johnny and you should be friends.

[kingofdahill]

Perhaps the people you associate with are like that, but not everyone. The comment you made just shows your ignorance. So according to your "research" there are no kids with clean backgrounds and respectful demeanors? Yeah, OK. Sounds like Johnny and you should be friends.

I don't really think it is ignorant to face the facts. What kind of "research" do you bring to the table? Besides " no you won't get hired for the FD". Did I say there are no kids with clean records? UMMMM No I did not. I believe you are using those words. Maybe johnny is a good guy who knows. After all he is trying to get his act together and came here looking for advice. That may speak more volume for him then some of the people you hang with. Who knows? Is there respectful demeanor? Yes there is but few and far between in this day and age.

[JayDudley]

Kingofthehill...See not everyone thinks like you do. The odds are hard enough for a candidate with a clean record....slim and none to a candidate with TWO FELONIES and numerous MINORS...OOOOHHHHH gotta go someone called BINGO!!!!

[Lifewatch]

Listen, if you have a dream, stick to it. You will be greeted by many who say you may never be a firefighter. Everyone has screawed up in life. You did it before the age of 18. One thing is for certain, stop NOW. The friends you think of as friends, will do one of two things (1) keep getting you in trouble or (2) fade away. A true friend will respect your new attitude, not continue to lure you into trouble. You will make new friends. Can I get a AMEN. I am currently a firefighter/paramedic. I have a sealed felony as an adult. It is possible.
This is what you need to begin doing:
1) Make your mind up with your future.
2) Call the state ems and fire orgs, ask them what felony would discredit you from getting your certs.
3) Seal that felony as soon as possible.(You can check with your state gov. sit or check www.removeit.org)
4) Maintain a steady job that relates to this field, keep your credit good and keep relationships with those that want to see you prospure.
5) Wait, be patient and keep yourself together. ( YOU WILL have to undeniably prove you are changed and these were acts of immuturity. I can see you getting hired at age 23-26. A long time, but if you want it, this is the price you will have to pay for redemption.)
GOD bless!

[kingofdahill]

It's too bad you don't think like me. Maybe then your advice wouldn't SUCK! Some are just born to play bingo and be happy. Good luck with that.

[LightsAndSirens]

First, I think this johnnyb3189 fellow is a troll (e.g., one who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument). My guess is that he's a current forum member who started a new profile.

Second, were here to discuss firefighting, not to have flame wars, kingofdahill.

[kingofdahill]

First, I think this johnnyb3189 fellow is a troll (e.g., one who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument). My guess is that he's a current forum member who started a new profile.

Second, were here to discuss firefighting, not to have flame wars, kingofdahill.

Flame wars??? What the hell is that? Was that on Backdraft or Ladder 49?? Maybe towering inferno??? I don't know what in the hell your talking about? Take a look at the other threads "lights and sirens" it's not all directed towards actual firefighting.

[johnnyb3189]

yea im not a troll or whatever people keep calling me i am seriously asking these questions sorry its so crazy for me to ask them

[kingofdahill]

Listen brother take as many tests as you want and try the best you can. you never know whats going to happen. Best of luck to you.

[LightsAndSirens]

Flame wars??? What the hell is that? Was that on Backdraft or Ladder 49?? Maybe towering inferno??? I don't know what in the hell your talking about? Take a look at the other threads "lights and sirens" it's not all directed towards actual firefighting.

A flame war is a heated argument between two individuals that results in those involved posting personal attacks on each other instead of debating the topic at hand.


kingofdahill, first, you say this:
It's too bad you don't think like me. Maybe then your advice wouldn't SUCK! Some are just born to play bingo and be happy. Good luck with that.
Then you give this total crap advise:
Listen brother take as many tests as you want and try the best you can. you never know whats going to happen. Best of luck to you.
I'm sorry, but that's the most generic & useless advise I've ever heard.

[TNFF319]

Call me an a-hole but I dont think he deserves a job in firefighting. I do however totally support his efforts to get clean. I think only the best citizens should be allowed to handle others well being. If my family should happen to call 911 I want only the best on scene.

[polecat]

Listen, if you have a dream, stick to it. You will be greeted by many who say you may never be a firefighter. Everyone has screawed up in life. You did it before the age of 18. One thing is for certain, stop NOW. The friends you think of as friends, will do one of two things (1) keep getting you in trouble or (2) fade away. A true friend will respect your new attitude, not continue to lure you into trouble. You will make new friends. Can I get a AMEN. I am currently a firefighter/paramedic. I have a sealed felony as an adult. It is possible.
This is what you need to begin doing:
1) Make your mind up with your future.
2) Call the state ems and fire orgs, ask them what felony would discredit you from getting your certs.
3) Seal that felony as soon as possible.(You can check with your state gov. sit or check www.removeit.org)
4) Maintain a steady job that relates to this field, keep your credit good and keep relationships with those that want to see you prospure.
5) Wait, be patient and keep yourself together. ( YOU WILL have to undeniably prove you are changed and these were acts of immuturity. I can see you getting hired at age 23-26. A long time, but if you want it, this is the price you will have to pay for redemption.)
GOD bless!

Lifewatch, Finally, an intelligent reply on this subject. For someones first post, you certaintly offer great advice and the encouragement that Johnnyb. has thus far recieved. I look forward to hearing more from you brother. God bless u2.

[kingofdahill]

A flame war is a heated argument between two individuals that results in those involved posting personal attacks on each other instead of debating the topic at hand.


kingofdahill, first, you say this:

Then you give this total crap advise:

I'm sorry, but that's the most generic & useless advise I've ever heard.

Well had that come from someone with some advice to give then your comments may have touched a nerve.But since it comes from a "KID" who gave no advice except for some goofy troll story I would say I could laugh this one off.

[LightsAndSirens]

Well had that come from someone with some advice to give then your comments may have touched a nerve.But since it comes from a "KID" who gave no advice except for some goofy troll story I would say I could laugh this one off.

Wow, you have a big mouth and you're lazy! Those are a good combination:rolleyes:. If you had read any the other posts from my public profile, you'd see that I've already given advise a few times to questions nearly identical to this one, and I've only been a member of this forum for a month. People who start threads like this usually have had there questions answered many, many times if they would just take a little time to look through some of the other threads.

[CALFFBOU]

Here is my take- I spent half of my life getting on the FD and trying to promote in the fire service. I am 37 years old and started over 20 years ago.

So- If I can keep my nose clean all of my life and focus on what I want, why should I yield for anyone without a clean record? Its like- "Sure, I have been studying hard and doing my homework, but here are the answers to the test." You should get the badg over me? Forget it.

Sorry, but you had you chance, made you decisions in life and now it time to ride them out. You probably arent going to get on as a FF. Just focus on being a better citizen and KEEP OUT OF TROUBLE.

Get it?

[polecat]

Calffbou, Your attack on this honest young kid is offside bro. Sure he messed up , but who's to say that he can't turn his life around, and one day become a valuable member. The "get it", to end your tirade was just plain mean and spiteful. sorry bro im taking you off my buddy list.

[kingofdahill]

Wow, you have a big mouth and you're lazy! Those are a good combination:rolleyes:. If you had read any the other posts from my public profile, you'd see that I've already given advise a few times to questions nearly identical to this one, and I've only been a member of this forum for a month. People who start threads like this usually have had there questions answered many, many times if they would just take a little time to look through some of the other threads.

Big mouth and Lazy!!! Hmmm... I'll agree with you on 1 of the 2. I stand up for what I believe in. I guess that intimidates you so you think thats having a big mouth. But lazy??? I did not get where I am in life being lazy. Maybe I'm not a millionaire but I'm blessed with a job that I love and enjoy going to every 3 days. Being Lazy DID NOT get me to where I am heading either.. As a matter of fact it DID NOT get any of those guys there.Everything I got or am getting I earned by busting my as$. As for your public profile, do I need to go any further than your Myspace page. Highschool is over kid this is not a studyhall chatroom.

polecat i'm sure this kid knows the "Right thing" to do. I would make a push with this kid anyday compared to some of these guys. Their to caught up with being called firemen then actually being one.

[CALFFBOU]

I am just keeping it real. I cant justify helping some one get into the fire service with a record like that.

And encouraging him is not helping either. A person like this needs to focus on being a good citizen FIRST. That mean no more drug and felony charges.

Thank you.

[Lifewatch]

This is the fire service kid. A bunch of opinionated F.O.O.L.S., who are just waiting for that fire. The truth is you are going to go thru hiring processes with these same voices. Some will kick you to the curb, while others may have turned there lives around as well. You will have to go thru endless processes before you can get a shot. Your main focus is to call the state ems and fire boards to see what you need to seal on your record first. My advice is to stop reading all these threads and get off your behind and just start working now. I will leave you with this piece of wisdom that I have encountered thru my endeavors. " Whoever you meet, whether on the phone or in person, make a friendly, professional first impression. When someone tells you no or it won't be possible, triple check it with another and another before you get down on yourself."

[LightsAndSirens]

Look, there's no doubt that you've screwed up, and it's obviously going to make things harder for you. In my opinion, you still have hope because the mistakes you made were as a minor, which makes them easier to overlook if you make some SERIOUS changes NOW. You're also going to need a lot of patience. With the mistakes you've made, I wouldn't hesitate to say it might take you up to 10 years before they will be overlooked as a "phase" you were going through. The changes you need to make and things you need to do will make you a better person, so I wouldn't view them as a sacrifice. Finish up your degree, start volunteering somewhere long-term, stick with one job, don't get ANY traffic tickets, and STAY OUT OF TROUBLE MAN! Keep improving yourself in any way you can. You don't have to be perfect, just stop making such big mistakes and start playing it safe in your life.

Some people here won't like me saying this, but if you join the military, your mistakes will be excused sooner. The military can usually straighten a person out much quicker than a someone can on their own. It's just a thought.

[bugsy2007]

Some people here won't like me saying this, but if you join the military, your mistakes will be excused sooner. The military can usually straighten a person out much quicker than a someone can on their own. It's just a thought.

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