advice....

[mttoyr]

Hi my name is Matt, im a 23 year old from Dallas, tx. I had a quick question and was wondering if anyone could shed some light and/or give me a heads up. I have wanted to be a firefighter since I was little, always been my dream. Right out of High School I got my EMT cert, and started on medic, however was unable to finish medic, i think, because i was an immature 18 year with other priorities. I made the biggest mistake of my life last Mach when I got a DWI, everything is going fine as far as that goes.....i understand the mistake and am owning up to it.....however, i pretty much ruled out the idea of becoming my dream after that, because of what i had heard about how long it would take for that to become irrelevant. But, talking to a customer at the bar I work at, she is a wife of a fire cheif here in the area and she was telling me it was not near as long as I had originally figured. If anyone out there has any insight on what a DWI might hinder me, or rule out firefighting all together? I would really appreciate the help, when I was hearing all this my ears really perked up, and have been excited about the idea ever since......I apopreciate you taking the time
Matt

[EgressOne]

Use the search feature and you will find out all types of answers that everyone else in your shoes have gotten. Then make your decision from what you get from all the different perspectives. This will probably be your easiest option.

[mttoyr]

not seeing much

granted, i may be searching for the wrong thing or looking in the wrong place, but i am not seeming to find anything, the only things that seemed to come up were current fire fighters that have been arrested for DWI

[fire49]

You have to contact each city because each city has a different policy for dwi
Some will not take you some will after so many years


Have you been to court yet???


Felony or misdemeanor????


Check some of these cities to see what there policy is

http://www.tcfp.state.tx.us/employment.asp

Here is one

http://www.mybigspring.com/pages/Fire_Dept_Minimum_Qualifications

[CaptBob]

granted, i may be searching for the wrong thing or looking in the wrong place, but i am not seeming to find anything, the only things that seemed to come up were current fire fighters that have been arrested for DWI

Try looking under DUI instead of DWI.

[mttoyr]

yes I have been to court and started probabtion, it was a felony....

[CaptOldTimer]

yes I have been to court and started probabtion, it was a felony....

OUCH!! Most departments will not hire you because of that!



Why? Because there are a lot of folks trying to get hired and a badge that doesn't have any problems in their background!

[adam015]

Scan through a few of these pages, there is plenty of discussion on this topic.

Just about all dept's have a policy of DUI and DWI. Anywhere from 3-10 years in ever.

You will be going up against guys and gals that have never had so much as a J-walking ticket.

Not saying its impossible for will be an ever harder uphill battle.

Good luck

Adam

[mttoyr]

Thanks for your help guys! i appreciate it, i think a have a couple more things goin for me, i understand it ill be hard and an uphill battle, but like i said this is my dream and now that i know its not impossible i am going to strive back to get to where i want to be, thanks again!!

[CaptBob]

But, talking to a customer at the bar I work at, she is a wife of a fire cheif here in the area and she was telling me it was not near as long as I had originally figured. If anyone out there has any insight on what a DWI might hinder me, or rule out firefighting all together? Matt

At work at a bar talking about a DUI? Well, your cutomer is right it's not as long as you might have figured. It's probably longer if ever.

I'm sure you want someone to shoot straight with you. Too many will blow smoke. Here's my take.

You've got a felony. Most agencies won't hire a felon to a sworn position. Yes, there are exceptions. Few if any. Yea, Cal Fire has hired felons. Some from the prison system.

Too often I receive calls from candidates who ask, “What do I do now” after they have spend time, money, education and put their lives on hold for years only to be taken out at one of the hiring stations.

For some they are clouded and domed before they ever take their first step because of something in their past, job history, criminal record, credit, driving record or domestic violence. Like you they still believe though that they have a shot. They have convinced themselves by the four inches between their ears that they have an explanation about what has happened in the past that will convince those in the hiring process they’re the right candidate. So, they pack on all kinds of credentials, degrees, experience, academy, paramedic, etc. thinking this will erase the problems of the past. Then, they don't face it until it's staring them in the face when they start testing or at the next step in the hiring process.

Too often people will not give a candidate the information they really need. There are serious land mines ahead of every candidate. Some more than others. I try to shoot straight saving them time, money, and wasted opportunities.

I get similar calls from candidates who have a clouded pass who also feel if they pack on all kinds of education, experience and becoming a medic.

The field of battle has changed. Not too long ago you could over come some of this because it couldn’t be found. Now computers don’t forget. I’m truly saddened when I tell them what there chances are of getting hired as I did this candidate.

What do you think most say?

Well, I’m going on anyway. How many do you think get back to me that they were hired?

None!

The application and background packet will ask you in several different ways, “Have you ever”. Computers don’t forget. If you don’t put it down they find it your immediately eliminated from the hiring process.

Where is can really play out is in the psych evaluation where up to 40% of candidates fail. With problems in your past the doc will ask you some difficult questions that could take the wheels off your wagon. These are experts who are being paid to take you out.

[mttoyr]

Would it make a difference if it was just a misdemeanor would it be much different. In your opinion is there anything else I can do to maybe lessen the effects of this? This is my first time ever getting into trouble, im doing everything I can to make sure i follow through with every step of probation and what not from here on out. I am in no way trying to make excuses or reasons why I should be considered for employment, I made the mistake and im trying to own up to it and take responsibility, and if there is no way to realistically continue to pursue this career I will live with it, but that being said....I am not scared to own up to my mistake, and put in the hard work to give myself an oppurtunity to be a fire fighter.

Matt

[nmfire]

Felony DUI? I think your energy is best spent looking for a career that will not be effected by your poor past decision making. Personally, I wouldn't want you on my department anyway. We're talking about trusting each other with our lives. And you've demonstrated a total lack of regard for your own life and everyone else on the road. I really don't care if you're taking probation like a pro. That's like celebrating a good behavior award while in prison.

[GRNFT]

If you can get things reduced to a misdemeanor you might stand a chance AFTER sufficient time has passed (talking years here) and you have a demonstrated history after your DWI of doing the right things and you're able to convince a department you changed and deserve a shot.

[mttoyr]

nmfire, im sorry if i offended u in any way, but i am just looking for some advice....in no way am i saying i deserve a shot on any depeartment just looking for any chance i might have to move on from being a bartender, and creating a stable home for my daughter.....but thanks for the pep talk, i feel like a champ!

[fire49]

Just check each cities policy they vary city to city