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[YouKrazies]

Henrico County Fire Dept.
V I R G I N I A- EMS (Paramedic) work within the fire department -

Getting Started .......

Hi everyone! I just came across this site and its forums and decided it might be a real help to hear from people with actual experience given what I am getting into (or hope to). Basically, I graduated high school (1999) and have pretty much worked and went to school since. I had started a degree @ J. Sargeant Reynolds (http://www.reynolds.edu/) in IT, but since got out of that field. I (for the last year or so) have really had the desire to do EMT work. I have always loved helping people. At the moment my volunteer history is very bleak. I was however, in the Air Force for a short time before I separated as ELS (Entry Level Separation) when my job fell out @ tech school and I volunteered to leave instead of reclassify into a random field. I am going to J. Sargeant Reynolds (http://www.jsr.vccs.edu/jsr_hmt/programs.htm) though for my EMT-B which is required before I can pursue my AAS in Paramedic Medicine.

My questions to anyone who has feedback are as follows ......

- What would an ELS discharge (NOT honorable) do to hurt my ability to get into the fire department or get on to the list? (This is an uncharacterized discharge)

- I recently talked to a neighbor who mentioned that fire departments all around the area (including Henrico) were desperate for paramedics. Is this the case?

- How hard is "Rookie School" as it was put to me if you do indeed get on to the fire department? Is it something with a very low graduation rate? Or is it just like most as long as you keep your head straight and in good shape (physically and mentally)?

- What would the degree do to help/hurt me to get on to Henrico Fire and start their 16 week school? Would it be something where after I earn my degree (2 years) that I would end up waiting an additional 1-2 years just to get an interview?

- My age is 27, is this a bad thing? Does it not matter?

IN ADDITION: I currently have ..... no criminal background, clean driving record (one ticket for speeding 9 years ago), no bad medical history (psychiatric or physical), & of course @ 26 years old the Air Force did a credit check and extensive background check which was passed as I entered into Air Force BMT (April 2006).

Last but not least, what in your opinion is the best way to go about doing this to set myself up for success in this new career field. When I talked to my neighbor I told him by priority was on EMT, not being a firefighter but given the merge many departments all over the country have made blending the two I would happily accept it to do what I want to do in this field. I read some threads around here and everyone seems very informative and positive with their advice, feedback, and comments.

I appreciate anything you guys would like to put up, and thanks for helping me out. I don't know anyone in this field (friend wise) so its hard for me to find common ground to answer questions.

Thank you all again! :)

- Bri

[mitllesmertz1]

- What would an ELS discharge (NOT honorable) do to hurt my ability to get into the fire department or get on to the list? (This is an uncharacterized discharge)
Well, it depends on what your RE code is- are you eligible for re-enlistment? I think it's RE1, RE2, etc. When they look at your DD214, it will show the RE code on the bottom.
Bottom line I guess is it's up to every dept to make decisions. Are you planning on using your Military service as an indicator of your good qualities? I would think twice about that.
Irregardless of why you left, some people (ie veterans) will simply see the fact that you didn't get an Honorable Discharge, and that's all that matters.

- I recently talked to a neighbor who mentioned that fire departments all around the area (including Henrico) were desperate for paramedics. Is this the case?
Read this slowly and carefully- IF THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE GOING TO MEDIC SCHOOL IS TO GET A JOB FASTER, YOU WILL BE UNHAPPY WITH YOUR DECISION.


- How hard is "Rookie School" as it was put to me if you do indeed get on to the fire department? Is it something with a very low graduation rate? Or is it just like most as long as you keep your head straight and in good shape (physically and mentally)?
Depends, every dept is different. Some are just like boot camp,some are laid back.

- My age is 27, is this a bad thing? Does it not matter?
No, 27 is a great age to get hired- you are (hopefully) done with being a stupid kid, still very healthy, and not too set in your ways to learn new things.


Last but not least, what in your opinion is the best way to go about doing this to set myself up for success in this new career field.
Volunteer somewhere. Get a job as an EMT to see what EMS is like, because that will be 80% of what you do in most Fire Departments. Listen and learn.

[YouKrazies]

- I recently talked to a neighbor who mentioned that fire departments all around the area (including Henrico) were desperate for paramedics. Is this the case?

Oh no. I was only mentioning that because I that seemed very interesting to hear. I am willing to take as long as I have to in order to land a decent job. One of the reasons that I stated in my original post was that I enjoy helping people and always have. It's something I ignored for a long time in the sense of doing it as a job. With a lot of different experiences I feel like it's time to start listening to my gut as that may be what I end up being happy with after all.

Also, I agree! I don't plan to use military service as a showing of reputation of character. I am looking into (and already have the forms) to get the review board to look at the discharge and hopefully change it. It's been almost a year since I got out and I have had no law infractions of any kind. I also did very well in tech school receiving a commanders coin from my new squadron commander and good marks as well. We will see how it goes at any rate. It's worth a shot I suppose.

Thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated.

- Bri